A city carpet in Russia
DROM’s redesign of the 7.8-hectare Azatlyk Square in Russia has transformed it into, “a captivating, dynamic public space with multi-character environments and qualities that are inclusive of different groups of people.”
Located in Ploshchad’Azatlyk, Naberezhnyechelny, Tatarstan the previously empty site, equivalent in size to three football fields, was unused and disconnected from the city, remaining as a relic from its’ Soviet past.
Its’ enormity was both a challenge and an opportunity for the designer, providing enough space for it to be broken into different areas and made multifunctional.
This is a key project in the first step of the "five-step framework" programme for improving life in Russian cities.
DROM created a ‘city carpet’ of three unique squares, each with its own paving pattern and anchor program at its intersection with the main promenade- a triangular, orange amphitheatre that doubles as a cafe; a circular fountain pool; and a spiral viewing platform painted an emblematic orange Kamaz colour.
The Event Square, adjacent to the bus stop and shopping centre, features a paved surface that will hold a weekly market along with other events.
A “city carpet” with three distinct squares.
Meanwhile, the Green Square, which provides spill over space for larger events, is for relaxing. Two diagonal paths form a cross shape, and an extension of the circular ramp of the viewing platform, and seasonal landscaping by the city’s planting department, also feature.
The Cultural Square sits next to City Hall, with the existing street that cut the hall off from the site now removed. This allows access to its lush internal courtyard where outdoor theatre, cultural events and the annual Christmas tree installation are held. The Cultural Square is connected to the municipality and a movie theatre, and boasts a renovated fountain and new shallow pool, overlapped by a new stage for public events.
The 7.8-hectare Azatlyk Square in Russia has been totally transformed.
In spring and summer, during heavy rain, the fountain will overflow with water and provide a space for children to play, while in winter it will become a skating rink. In autumn, the raised stage and fountain can be used for outdoor theatre.
Azatlyk Square’s white seating benches were crafted in a local concrete factory, and the main supporting structure of the spiral was made with the same technology used for making gas pipes.
The site was previously empty and unused.
DROM carefully considered the existing ecosystem of the square, leaving most of its greenery and adding new local tree species, strategically arranged grass hills, and planting in colourful stripes.
The original line of trees at the edge of the square have been kept for sun and wind protection. Aspects such as these, “helped to reduce negative emotions about the enormous transformation in the city centre, making the project more sustainable, resilient and financially viable.”
The site was seen as a relic from the Soviet past.