Reconstruction of the small court in the commercial district of Moscow. Development of temporary and capital solutions.
Date
Location
Working project
Location
Working project
May-June 2022
Moscow, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation
THE CURRENT SITUATION
The object of design is a small courtyard in the Basmanny district of Moscow. Its current state is depressing, the territory looks like a no-man's-land, passable. On all sides, the courtyard is surrounded by buildings and fences that form a small paved area. Since the passage to the courtyard is open, the space in front of the buildings is always parked, which is why it can be very difficult to even approach the houses.
This condition of the yard creates conditions for the marginalization of the territory, supported by a nearby alcohol store. Mountains of garbage and drunks make this space as uncomfortable as possible to find, and even more so for a long time.
The doors of several organizations open into the courtyard: there is a hotel, and an exit for employees of a cafe, a barber shop and many offices. People working there often go outside to talk on the phone, smoke, chat with colleagues, just to be outdoors. Many people come here to have lunch with shawarma bought at the store around the corner and drink coffee.
There is a pronounced need for a public space for people that would satisfy their needs for rest, communication, and lunch together.
2 projects have been developed for this territory:
The object of design is a small courtyard in the Basmanny district of Moscow. Its current state is depressing, the territory looks like a no-man's-land, passable. On all sides, the courtyard is surrounded by buildings and fences that form a small paved area. Since the passage to the courtyard is open, the space in front of the buildings is always parked, which is why it can be very difficult to even approach the houses.
This condition of the yard creates conditions for the marginalization of the territory, supported by a nearby alcohol store. Mountains of garbage and drunks make this space as uncomfortable as possible to find, and even more so for a long time.
The doors of several organizations open into the courtyard: there is a hotel, and an exit for employees of a cafe, a barber shop and many offices. People working there often go outside to talk on the phone, smoke, chat with colleagues, just to be outdoors. Many people come here to have lunch with shawarma bought at the store around the corner and drink coffee.
There is a pronounced need for a public space for people that would satisfy their needs for rest, communication, and lunch together.
2 projects have been developed for this territory:
CAPITAL RECONSTRUCTION
Initially, the project corresponded to the concept of a closed courtyard, which could only be used by employees and visitors of buildings facing the courtyard. It was supposed to leave a few parking spaces, and give the rest of the space to people.
According to the project, a zone was to appear on the territory where you can organize a meeting, work or just sit and relax.
The project provided for the planting of new trees, shrubs, the creation of green hedges, the renewal of house drainage and the organization of vertical landscaping of the facade of the house.
A bench wall was designed next to the entrance to the building, making it possible to sit outside without going far from the office. At the same time, it serves as a fence for a small house garden. There is a small bicycle parking for visitors and employees of buildings.
Initially, the project corresponded to the concept of a closed courtyard, which could only be used by employees and visitors of buildings facing the courtyard. It was supposed to leave a few parking spaces, and give the rest of the space to people.
According to the project, a zone was to appear on the territory where you can organize a meeting, work or just sit and relax.
The project provided for the planting of new trees, shrubs, the creation of green hedges, the renewal of house drainage and the organization of vertical landscaping of the facade of the house.
A bench wall was designed next to the entrance to the building, making it possible to sit outside without going far from the office. At the same time, it serves as a fence for a small house garden. There is a small bicycle parking for visitors and employees of buildings.
Closed territory.
INTERIM REDESIGN
The capital changes involved large monetary investments, which were not available at the time of the planned implementation date. As a result, it was decided to create an additional project that involves rapid changes and does not need much funding. Such a project would give an opportunity to test the concept of solving social problems of the territory. In addition, with rapid changes, the adjustment of the project could be carried out right in the process of implementation.
During the implementation of the project of temporary changes, the territory remains open to passers-by, anyone can come, sit and relax. In order to give people more space to spend time, the area in front of the entrance was closed to cars (at that time, the entire territory along with the passage could not be closed).
The capital changes involved large monetary investments, which were not available at the time of the planned implementation date. As a result, it was decided to create an additional project that involves rapid changes and does not need much funding. Such a project would give an opportunity to test the concept of solving social problems of the territory. In addition, with rapid changes, the adjustment of the project could be carried out right in the process of implementation.
During the implementation of the project of temporary changes, the territory remains open to passers-by, anyone can come, sit and relax. In order to give people more space to spend time, the area in front of the entrance was closed to cars (at that time, the entire territory along with the passage could not be closed).
The main idea was to make the territory socially attractive, so that people would not only use it as transit, but also stay there, i.e. it was necessary to create a friendly urban environment that would give an opportunity to relax, have lunch and just spend time. The implementation of this idea involved the following steps:
1. Restrict entry for cars with concrete flowerpots.
2. Apply graffiti to the entire territory to make it visually attractive and emphasize the priority of the use of space by pedestrians, not cars. The drawing will also mask cracks and irregularities of the asphalt.
3. Fill the space with furniture: install benches and urns, arrange landscaping in tubs, set up tables and chairs, install a ping pong table.
All these steps should be implemented simultaneously in order to immediately provide people with a new public space and eliminate dissatisfaction with the reduction of parking spaces.
1. Restrict entry for cars with concrete flowerpots.
2. Apply graffiti to the entire territory to make it visually attractive and emphasize the priority of the use of space by pedestrians, not cars. The drawing will also mask cracks and irregularities of the asphalt.
3. Fill the space with furniture: install benches and urns, arrange landscaping in tubs, set up tables and chairs, install a ping pong table.
All these steps should be implemented simultaneously in order to immediately provide people with a new public space and eliminate dissatisfaction with the reduction of parking spaces.
The territory is open for citizens,
With the high-quality implementation of the project, the city will receive a new public space that meets the needs of citizens in a place to relax in the heart of the business district.
