The winner of the Sirius seafront promenade competition proposes new, innovative public spaces
LandLAB, a design-led team of landscape architects and urban planners based in New Zealand, wins the international competition for the concept of the seafront promenade in Sirius federal territory. The competition was organized by VEB.RF state development corporation, ProGorod OOO (part of VEB.RF Group), and the Center for Urban Studies of the Sirius University of Science and Technology, jointly with Strelka KB.
The winning design hangs upon expanding the green areas from 7 to 12 hectares and adding over 12,000 m2 of new public spaces, including concert venues, auditoriums and other event spaces and pavilions, a yachting school, and a number of other amenities.
“Our approach to the Imeretinskaya Embankment acknowledges the need to create places, identity and experiences that express the DNA of Sirius. A series of dynamic locations and ecosystems of maximum activity, exchange and hybridisation. We see a transition in the way of understanding the existing waterfront from a linear ‘promenade’ to seeing it as a wider maritime interface. An expanded and re-imagined ‘front’ where the city can express its traditions, expand its uses and discover new potentials.”
LandLAB – Concept Entry
The existing promenade connects a range of different urban and waterfront precincts: river edges, port, Olympic park, and residential areas. The proposed solution enhances the links between them and opens up the seascape. Today, tall seawalls and jetties obstruct the view along 3,1 out of the 7 km of the promenade. The designers focus on creating a dynamic interface between land and sea, connecting the urban and natural environment to develop a vibrant, distinct identity for Sirius as a unique urban coastal territory.
“I would like to make a point of the excellence and efficiency of the winning concept. An iconic project of this scale requires a high level of professionalism, and LandLAB has just the portfolio for the purpose. The proposed concept respects the local geographical, historical, and cultural context as well as the distinctive landscape. This project was the only one based on the tectonic features of the landscape, offering a variety of public space scenarios and seafront experiences. The project ensures long-term resilience and meets ESG criteria. As a result, Sirius will become a welcoming and inspiring place to live and work in,”
Martin Rein-Cano, founder and managing partner at Topotek 1 (Juror)
Selecting a winning design is just the beginning, says Elena Shmeleva, Chairwoman of the Board of Sirius Federal Territor. “What we need now is to develop an implementation plan in close cooperation with the local residents. We shall work together to realize this ambitious project.”
The competition generated submissions from 68 practices out of 48 countries. The six shortlisted teams are:
- BIG + Wowhaus;
- AB CHVOYA + Dreamer United + Smena Projects + John Lööf Green + Sergey Stanichny + Arseny Kubryakov;
- l’AUC architectes et urbanistes + Michel Desvigne Paysagiste + Atelier Marc Barani + Franck Boutté Consultants;
- LOLA Landscape Architects + Taller Architects;
- LandLAB;
- !melk landscape architecture & urban design.
Members of the Jury:
- Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation;
- Igor Shuvalov, Chairman of VEB.RF state development corporation;
- Elena Shmeleva, Chairwoman of the Board of Sirius Federal Territory;
- Vladimir Silkin, President of the Russian Yachting Federation;
- Martin Rein-Cano, founder and managing partner at Topotek 1;
- Alain Philippe, architect, former General Manager for Technical Services of the city of Nice;
- Matthias Rudolph, expert in climate-friendly design, project manager at Transsolar;
- Michèle Laruë-Charlus, Managing Director, Bordeaux Métropole Mission 2050;
- Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas, architect, co-founder of Studio Fuksas.
Learn more information about the competition at: https://sirius-veb-competition.com/
Images: Courtesy of Strelka KB
