PATHS :: VALLEYS

Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Size: 10,8 ha
Programmatic: City park
Architects: SA lab
Landscape architect: Arina Lourie
Status: concept
Year: 2018

IDEA
Creating an all-season modern tiered self-sustaining park, preserving existing landscape with minimal architectural intervention.

MOOD BOARD
Mountain path with valleys, peaks, Russian forest and fields.

SITE PROBLEMATIC
- Vast territory;
- Marshy soil;
- Safety;
- Lack of greenery;
- Monotonous space;
- Tough wind conditions.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS
- Step-by-step development of the site;
- Planting greenery, stabilizing the soil, to avoid expensive soil bedding and locating structures and buildings on pile foundations;
- Sight permeability of the territory, sufficient lighting and avoiding creation of dark isolated spaces;
- Increasing diversity of plants, using local species to create a natural landscape;
- All-season functional program;
- Harsh weather conditions protection by means of relief and forming trees in groups.

Program
The design composition is based on natural landscape factors. The territory is filled with multiple time spending scenarios, depending on the time of the year.

ROAD NETWORK STRATEGY
Main transit paths connect park entrances and create links with the surrounding context and historical park. Secondary ways connect different park areas by means of modular path. Technical roads are organized for pavilion and technical zone maintenance.  

RELIEF STRATEGY
- Maximum use of the existing landscape;
- Landscape zones are connected in one compositions according to the principles of consistent perception;
- Drainage of surface waters;
- Creating conditions for the fast growth of greenery and increase in the amount of the local fauna species;
- Pond cleaning.

LANDSCAPING
- In the north part and around the perimeter of the site the plants are formed to protect from the wind;
- Plants are formed in groups;
- To enhance the landscape abundance plants are formed in small disperse groups;
- Creating lawns with perennial grasses.

RESULT
Creation of natural landscape park with minimal architectural intervention and low maintenance costs.
Visitors will be enjoying the change of seasons and multiple functional areas of the park.