The courtyards in Skolkovo are an example of how reconstruction can update practical functions so that they become an attractive part of everyday life.
Date
Location
Working project
Location
Working project
July 2022
Skolkovo, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation
Skolkovo, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation
CONTEXT
The design area is located in the Russian science city - the Skolkovo Innovation Center. Despite the high-profile status of a “city”, Skolkovo does not have its features and does not provide the benefits that a naturally developed settlement usually provides. This place has many problems, but the main and most strongly affecting the feeling of the city is the lack of social life.
This problem is also present on the scale of residential neighborhoods. Their yards do not provide their residents with anything but a paved surface, a couple of small trees and cars parked between them. Now the yards are a dull parking lot, where there is no opportunity for recreation, socializing or games. This project of renovation of the yards of Skolkovo is trying to solve the social problem of the territory at least on a micro scale.
*The parking problem was partially solved in this project.
The design area is located in the Russian science city - the Skolkovo Innovation Center. Despite the high-profile status of a “city”, Skolkovo does not have its features and does not provide the benefits that a naturally developed settlement usually provides. This place has many problems, but the main and most strongly affecting the feeling of the city is the lack of social life.
This problem is also present on the scale of residential neighborhoods. Their yards do not provide their residents with anything but a paved surface, a couple of small trees and cars parked between them. Now the yards are a dull parking lot, where there is no opportunity for recreation, socializing or games. This project of renovation of the yards of Skolkovo is trying to solve the social problem of the territory at least on a micro scale.
*The parking problem was partially solved in this project.
Now the space between the buildings has no boundaries and is perceived as no man's land. Existing green spaces are of no value to residents, as they cannot be fully used by them: you can't hide from the sun under them, you can't sit in their shade and read a book, you can't just stay next to them, parked cars physically prevent you from doing this. The space feels like a place for cars, not for people.
Children also cannot use the yard as a place for interaction. If teenagers can move around the territory on their own and gather wherever they want, young children are more dependent on the quality of the yard territory. Since spontaneous games and communication are impossible here, children are forced to limit themselves to playgrounds specially designated for “fun”. It can be said that the socialization of children is strictly limited to special places and parental time.
Children also cannot use the yard as a place for interaction. If teenagers can move around the territory on their own and gather wherever they want, young children are more dependent on the quality of the yard territory. Since spontaneous games and communication are impossible here, children are forced to limit themselves to playgrounds specially designated for “fun”. It can be said that the socialization of children is strictly limited to special places and parental time.
The central public space is conceived in the form of a dry pond.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES INSIDE
The updated territory is designed to strengthen the sense of community among residents, because now a lot of small seating areas allow many groups of people to be in the yard at the same time, easily and naturally pass by each other, talk or allow contacts to arise spontaneously.
From an exceptionally practical space, the courtyard has turned into a common garden of residents, where people can meet and spend time – there is a place for both a noisy meeting and barefoot games, as well as the opportunity to find a quiet place to enjoy a book and a cup of coffee. A lot of free-standing tables and chairs make it possible to gather at any time, chat, play games, have a picnic.
New front courtyards border the public area in the middle and allow everyone to be a part of what is happening around. This layout makes the communication of residents unobtrusive: you can just sit in front of the house and be a bystander, or you can participate in any event, if such a desire arises.
The green area is framed by plants that screen children's play and give children the opportunity to create their own game universe.
Instead of placing traditional play equipment in the yard, the yard itself encourages exploration, adventure and movement. On rainy days, the green center is filled with water, which also serves as an environment for new games and discoveries.
The updated territory is designed to strengthen the sense of community among residents, because now a lot of small seating areas allow many groups of people to be in the yard at the same time, easily and naturally pass by each other, talk or allow contacts to arise spontaneously.
From an exceptionally practical space, the courtyard has turned into a common garden of residents, where people can meet and spend time – there is a place for both a noisy meeting and barefoot games, as well as the opportunity to find a quiet place to enjoy a book and a cup of coffee. A lot of free-standing tables and chairs make it possible to gather at any time, chat, play games, have a picnic.
New front courtyards border the public area in the middle and allow everyone to be a part of what is happening around. This layout makes the communication of residents unobtrusive: you can just sit in front of the house and be a bystander, or you can participate in any event, if such a desire arises.
The green area is framed by plants that screen children's play and give children the opportunity to create their own game universe.
Instead of placing traditional play equipment in the yard, the yard itself encourages exploration, adventure and movement. On rainy days, the green center is filled with water, which also serves as an environment for new games and discoveries.
Now the spaces of the street, the common courtyard and the front courtyards are clearly recognized. The bench-wall unobtrusively outlines the boundaries of the courtyard, while serving as a place for a short-term stop and rest for passers-by.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The design of the territory is based on the principles of stormwater management. All precipitation is captured and accumulated on site, reducing the rate and volume of runoff.
Permeable paving is provided throughout the territory to reduce runoff and prevent the formation of puddles. The central green area is made in the form of a dry pond. In dry weather, it serves as a place for games and recreation, and in rainy weather it serves as a drainage basin, collecting runoff and filtering it through the ground. New landscaping helps to catch dirt from surrounding surfaces.
On the territory there are places for parking bicycles under green roofs, which catch precipitation, delay and filter it right on the spot.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The design of the territory is based on the principles of stormwater management. All precipitation is captured and accumulated on site, reducing the rate and volume of runoff.
Permeable paving is provided throughout the territory to reduce runoff and prevent the formation of puddles. The central green area is made in the form of a dry pond. In dry weather, it serves as a place for games and recreation, and in rainy weather it serves as a drainage basin, collecting runoff and filtering it through the ground. New landscaping helps to catch dirt from surrounding surfaces.
On the territory there are places for parking bicycles under green roofs, which catch precipitation, delay and filter it right on the spot.
