SPbGASU Graduates Received Honourable Mentions
at an Open International Architectural Competition
Graduates of Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova were included in the list of honourable mentions of the open international competition for the “Cosiness Valley” park area development in Murmansk.
Leisure activities in the park. Project by Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova
Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova
The competition was jointly organized by the Government of the Murmansk region and the region’s Centre for Urban Development.
Students as well as professional teams from Russia and other countries took part in the contest. The task was to determine main directions of the area development and design a public space adapted to the northern climate. Having summed up the results, the jury announced three competition winners and five honourable mentions in each category. Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova received an honourable mention in the category "Students" and were awarded with a monetary prize.
The international jury of the competition included experts in the field of architecture and construction from Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, the USA and Australia.
“At first, Maria and I had studied building design at another university, then we started different graduate programmes at SPbGASU: I was enrolled as a Master’s degree student of the Department of Architectural Environment and Landscape Design, and Maria did her studies at the Department of Urban Planning. I guess it was this synergy that helped us to get a prize, because together we thought and looked at the task much wider than we could have done it alone”, told Marina.
“We want to thank our teachers for the knowledge and skills they gave us to open up numerous opportunities”, added Maria.
The graduates decided to take part in the competition right after receiving their diplomas. Participation was important for their portfolios, as they are going to continue their education in European universities.
The project "Loop Park" developed by Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova is based on four key principles: identity, adaptability, accessibility and sustainability. Identity in landscape design means conformity with unique features of the area. The identity of the park designed in Murmansk is formed by overhead heat pipelines in the west and power lines in the north of its territory. To emphasize the engineering uniqueness of the site and at the same time reduce the environmental impact, the project includes small wind turbines for micro-generation of electric power.
3D project model
The adaptability of the park (possibility of its use in diverse conditions and situations) is achieved due to the multifunctional design of spatial zones that are suitable for use in different weather conditions.
✔ To ensure accessibility in difficult terrain and weather conditions, it was proposed to equip existing stairs and steep slopes with ramps.
Another project purpose is to draw attention of the residents to environmental problems and ideas of sustainable development: an educational ecological village has been designed for this. It includes lecture domes, a small farm, an educational centre, an arboretum greenhouse and a garden. All this is intended to build respect and attachment to nature among the population.
Master plan
In addition, the concept of the park provides for such characteristics as versatility (various functions and scenarios of use) and interconnection (linking all zones of the park through forming natural paths, a ramp structure and a path around the perimeter).
✔ Within the framework of the project, it was proposed to transform the park area into 12 functional zones, which are interconnected by loop-like paths. The park design provides options both for winter and summer leisure activities. It includes a recreation area, an area for sports events, a fair, a cafe, a dog walking area. The composition of the park is built around a bridge structure that serves as an observation deck. Loop Park aims not only to become a recreation area for several city districts, but also to rally local communities in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, and environmental awareness.
Winter activities in the park
The project authors think there are not enough high-quality public spaces in Murmansk that consider local climatic conditions. The development of proposed solutions began with an analysis of the requests and wishes of local residents. The project was developed with consideration of the existing environmental problems and in accordance with the sustainable development goals.
Now the SPbGASU alumnae are planning to improve their professional urban planning skills in Europe: Marina Suvorova will study and work in Finland, and Maria Ladygina – in Germany.
Summer activities in the park
“Participation in the competition showed us the benefits of teamwork and an integrated approach. Today, in addition to our professional career, we are jointly developing our educational project dedicated to sustainable urbanism – @ Urban.2b. It aims to improve urban environment in Russia by applying approaches to architecture and urban planning that are adopted in the countries where we are working now and adapting the most successful solutions for Russian cities”, told Marina and Maria.
Text: Anastasia Blinova
Fragments of the park design project provided by Maria Ladygina and Marina Suvorova
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