Archinect - News

DS+R's high-profile Zaryadye Park project in Moscow vandalized only days after its grand opening

2017-09-18T19:16:00-04:00

The Russian President Vladimir Putin opened Zaryadye Park near Red Square on 9 September, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, creators of New York’s High Line, but what Moscow city officials are lauding as a “new symbol of Russia” preservationists are decrying as a travesty that impinges on the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, two of Russia’s most sacred landmarks.

Diller Scofidio + Renfro's Zaryadye Park proposal for an ambitious replacement of the colossal Soviet-era Hotel Russia near the Kremlin in central Moscow won the international competition back in 2013 with a "wild urbanism" concept.

Rendering of DS+R's Zaryadye Park project in central Moscow. Image courtesy of Mos.ru.

The project has faced criticism from the city's preservationists, reportedly exceeded initial cost estimates, and already suffered a major act of vandalism shortly after its festive opening with Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance.

One of Zaryadye Park's highlights is its V-shaped 'Floating Bridge,' extending far above the Moscow River. Image courtesy of Mos.ru.

2nd-place Zaryadye Park competition entry by team TPO Reserve

2013-11-15T19:28:00-05:00

Have a closer look into the Zaryadye Park design scheme by TPO Reserve with Maxwan Architects + Urbanists, Latz + Partner, and Buro Happold. The team recently won second place in the international Zaryadye Park competition in Moscow.

Previously: Diller Scofidio + Renfro wins Zaryadye Park competition in Moscow

Diller Scofidio + Renfro wins Zaryadye Park competition in Moscow

2013-11-12T15:31:00-05:00

Diller Scofidio + Renfro has won the Zaryadye Park competition in Moscow. Set in the historic district of Zaryadye in downtown Moscow, the design competition was established to find an architecture and landscape plan to transform the 130,000 sq.m. former site of Hotel Russia into a multi-functional public park. Coming in second and third place are TPO Reserve and MVRDV, respectively.

Master plan. First-place entry by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Entrance from the Red Square. First-place entry by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Postcard Moscow. First-place entry by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Panorama. First-place entry by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

The concept of the Zaryadye park is based on the principles of wild urbanism, where people and plants co-exist in the same area. Wild urbanism creates a clear system of interaction between nature and the city. People are not imposed on certain routes and plants can grow freely. Wild urbanism - is an opportunity to leave the city, and at the same time be closer to it. Nature provides an unexpected contrast to the city, keeping the balance with culture. The territory of the park has four typical Russian landscape zones : tundra, steppe , forest and marsh. The zones are organized in terraces that descend from the upper to a lower level of the...