Moscow, Russia
Description: New square and conservation and restoration of an archaeological siteLocation: Pokrovskiy boulevard, MoscowArea: 3853 sq.m.Stages: Concept Design to Detailed DesignStatus: CompletedPeriod: 2016-2018 Client: Strelka KB & City of MoscowLocal Architects: Strelka KB Djao-Rakitine Team: Irene Djao-Rakitine, Valmore Rojas, Chun Wing Fok
Awards:
- Awarded Best Urban Design by the Moscow Urban Forum- Best Cultural Heritage site restoration project in Russia- ISOCARP Grand Award 2018- Qatar Sustainability Award 2018
As part of the wider regeneration project for the historical “Boulevard Ring” in Moscow, Djao-Rakitine was commissioned to develop a new square in the centre of the city.
The new square took the form of an amphitheatre which supports and encourages various spontaneous social and cultural activities, including theatre performances and small concerts.
An exceptional opportunity was given by the presence of archaeological remains of the wall that used to surround the old Moscow (Bely Gorod). The fortress wall remains became the central feature of the square and the reason two ground levels were created. These two levels are connected by an amphitheatre, whose stage has the archaeological feature as a backdrop.
The square is planted with both clusters of trees and individual trees. Their pits act as rainwater draining pits, assisting with water management on site.
Following completion in 2018, the square was immediately accepted by the citizens and rapidly became a destination for young people, families, and tourists.
The design of Moscow’s Khokhlovskaya Square has been awarded Best Urban Design by the Moscow Urban Forum as well as Best Cultural Heritage site restoration project.
Khokhloskaya square is part of "My street" program by Strelka KB. The program received the ISOCARP Grand Award 2018 and the Qatar Sustainability Award 2018.
"Creating a Moscow agora" by Daria Paramonov, in Topos
"Khokhlovskaya Square" in the magazine Landscape Architecture Korea.
"Moscow's new Clothes" by Kiril Ass, in the magazine Topos.
"Khokhlovskaya Square" in ArchDaily.
"Ancient and modern mixes in award winning Moscow square" by Jessica Watson in Landscape Architecture Aotearoa.
"Where to walk in Moscow: 8 new parks" by Ekaterina Karpukhina in AD Magazine Russia.
"Khokhlovskaya Square" in Landezine Magazine.
"Soft power in Moscow" by Stephen Zacks in Landscape Architecture Magazine.
"You won’t believe what Moscow looks like: How world-class architects changed the city in 2017", by Anna Sorokina in Russia Beyond.
All images are © Djao-Rakitine, unless otherwise stated.
