No 49 (2016): nature in the city
Editorial material
On May 32, 1773 the Duke from my favourite film “That Very Munchhausen” said the significant words: “It is
amazing… It is amazing how our people harmonize with nature!”
A bit later almost his fellow-countryman Friedensreich Hundertwasser said that happiness is merging with
nature. It is possible to live happily without money. It is impossible to do it without nature. Merging with nature was crucial in the life of this wonderful man, and even in his death.
We have almost learnt to live without money. But we do not want to live without nature, and we cannot. We asked ourselves a psychoanalytical question: “Would you like to talk about it?” and then answered like honest patients: “Yes, we would”. In the context of the crisis the time is ripe for reflection, which is better to do alone with nature. This is how we approached the subject of the latest festival “Zodchestvo of Eastern Siberia” (pp. 13-46, 72-81).
The cross-cutting theme concerning the city for people is continued in this issue. It should not be thought that
architects create only buildings. Architects’ materials are neither stone with its modern substitutes nor even the ivy covering construction failures. The latest Pritsker Prize laureate Alejandro Aravena says that the most important thing in urbanism is public spaces. Changeable, diverse, filled with sense and visual events, they constitute a special nature of the city. How to bring together the elements of this ‘second nature’ with living biocenoses of the primary nature? Can we always differ one from the other?
By the 355th anniversary of Irkutsk, its leading architects had worked out more than twenty different designs of squares (pp. 92-112) by the mayor’s order. Besides the future squares and pocket parks of Irkutsk, several green spaces of Moscow, Tokyo, London, Paris and German towns are presented in the issue, as well as competitive designs of the New York Aquarium and the Horse Park in Korea.
The object of the issue is a wonderful museum on the Kulikovo Field designed by Sergey Gnedovsky. The
unusual architecture of the new museum makes it akin to the earth’s tectonic fault caused by an intolerable
tension in expectation of the battle (pp. 113-123).
Oleg Yavein and Ilya Lezhava bring us back to the classic of the 20th century Mies van der Rohe and his unique dialogue with nature (pp. 162-175). Relationship between architecture and nature is a rich and limitless theme, like both of these substances. That is why the new Project Baikal issue contains, as usual, more questions than answers. Such is the nature of our journal.
The article tells about Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who said a prophetic word in architecture of the 20th century, and analyses the sources of his creativity. The architect’s world perception was influenced by the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and Spinoza, as well as the theory of will by Alois Riegl. The philosophy of neo-Thomism was reflected in the structural grammar of Mies van der Rohe‘s architecture, matching the avant-garde and archaic features. Studying the structural grammar can give us some hints toward comprehension of the mystery of his creativity. Unfortunately, none of the architect’s apprentices or followers could gain insight into his philosophy and to create something similar.
Oleg Yavein, Elena Bagina
The City and Nature
Animate “nature–1” around us is transforming into supported or non-supported by man “nature-2” within the framework of the urban development of town areas. Interaction of town and nature is a bilateral process. Experts underline 4 groups of town planning risks related to the interaction of town and nature: ecological, natural and biosphere, sanitary-epidemiologic risks as well as planning and management risks. The latter is often connected with protest population activities. The magazine is looking forward to readers comments.
Animate “nature–1” around us is transforming into supported or non-supported by man “nature-2” within the framework of the urban development of town areas. Interaction of town and nature is a bilateral process. Experts underline 4 groups of town planning risks related to the interaction...
Nature in the City: Romance and Economy
The urban way of life has been criticized for many centuries, as long as the cities have existed. A romantic tradition credits nature with the qualities opposite to the city: nature is declared an embodiment of purity, health and beauty. A more rational and economical view defines nature as a system capable of restoring living resources. The article shows how cities will be inevitably filled with elements of nature.
The urban way of life has been criticized for many centuries, as long as the cities have existed. A romantic tradition credits nature with the qualities opposite to the city: nature is declared an embodiment of purity, health and beauty. A more rational and economical view defines nature as a...
From “Green Building” to Architecture Integrated with Nature: Regeneration principle
The article analyses different approaches to ‘green building’ and architecture integrated with nature. It gives definition to the regeneration principle and observes the genesis of world and national experience in roof- and facade greening and ‘hanging gardens’. The article denounces myths and misbeliefs that prevent the wide application of green roofs and facades in Russia.
The article analyses different approaches to ‘green building’ and architecture integrated with nature. It gives definition to the regeneration principle and observes the genesis of world and national experience in roof- and facade greening and ‘hanging gardens’. The article denounces...
Victor Logvinov
An Alternative to the Lollipop Aesthetics, or the Right Way to Trim Bushes and Trees
The author expresses her opinion on trimming trees and bushes and supports her point of view with specific examples.
Participatory Design. Elaboration of the reconstruction project for a square in Irkutsk
The article is devoted to the practical application of the participatory design method to the development of a public space (square), with the involvement of all users of the area.
Anastasia Repina, Evgenia Yamova
A Pocket Park as a New Typology of Parks and Public Spaces in Irkutsk
The article studies the methodology of designing pocket parks, reveals the advantages over other types of green spaces, observes the peculiarities and basic characteristics of pocket parks, and defines their role in the system of urban greening. The article proposes the allocation of the first pocket park in Irkutsk.
The article studies the methodology of designing pocket parks, reveals the advantages over other types of green spaces, observes the peculiarities and basic characteristics of pocket parks, and defines their role in the system of urban greening. The article proposes the allocation of the first...
Anastasia Sheshukova
Nature in London
The article tells about the diversity of green spaces in London, the citizens’ attitude toward these spaces, and what Russian cities can learn from this experience.
Heaven’s Garden
The article describes a visit to the roof garden created by the landscape designer Ralph Hancock in the first half of the 20th century. The garden is located on Kensington High Street 101-111, London.
The site of the 'Joncs Marins' is situated on the southern edge of the Paris metropolitan area. It is a natural open space with woodlands, meadows and farmland and part of the river Orge valley. Different uses like agriculture, industrial and commercial activities and recreation coexist in this space alongside legal and illegal housing constructions.
As the urbanized area of the Paris metropolis is growing, these natural spaces are increasingly under the pressure of urbanisation. Recognizing the importance of these spaces, the regional government tries to preserve them from an ongoing fragmentation. The planning office Rethink got commissioned by the region to elaborate a guide plan for the protection and future uses of the Joncs Marins. A guide plan, that would compose the
basis to coordinate the future initiatives of the local actors.
Today situated on the edge of the metropolis, these natural spaces will form the future urban parks, when the urbanisation has overgrown them. Like the two major parks of Paris, the 'Bois de Boulogne' and the 'Bois de Vincennes' have been once woodlands for hunting situated far outside of the city.
The site of the 'Joncs Marins' is situated on the southern edge of the Paris metropolitan area. It is a natural open space with woodlands, meadows and farmland and part of the river Orge valley. Different uses like agriculture, industrial and commercial activities and recreation coexist in this...
Christian Horn
New Landscapes in the City, or Learning from Landscape
The article considers new forms of relationship between city and landscape. It also reveals one of the major challenges for planning and urban governance: to use the creative potential which is formed in different pioneering or temporary uses and activities of people for sustainable development of the urban environment.
The article considers new forms of relationship between city and landscape. It also reveals one of the major challenges for planning and urban governance: to use the creative potential which is formed in different pioneering or temporary uses and activities of people for sustainable development...
Barbara Engel
At Churchill’s Chartwell
The article tells about a trip to Winston Churchill’s Chartwell estate in England. It describes the attractions of the park and tells how the great politician took part in its building.
Lurking Nature
The article tells about the Japanese careful and accurate attitude toward nature through the examples of greening in Tokyo and Nara.
Larisa Krylova
The Symbol of Modern Architecture. About the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe
The article reviews peculiarities of the architectural and spatial organization of the Barcelona Pavilion designed by Mies van der Rohe and the reasons for its rehabilitation after a long period of oblivion. The analysis of the display shows that the only exhibit item of the Barcelona Pavilion is its architecture and furniture compositions designed by the author. The characteristics of partitions, screens, glass surfaces and the position of transparent walls of this construction are of special interest. The style of the building designed by Mies van der Rohe may be referred to formalism, rather than the traditional European functionalism. The article shows a special role of this construction in the architect’s creative work
The article reviews peculiarities of the architectural and spatial organization of the Barcelona Pavilion designed by Mies van der Rohe and the reasons for its rehabilitation after a long period of oblivion. The analysis of the display shows that the only exhibit item of the Barcelona Pavilion is...
Ilya Lezhava
Molchanov-Sibirsky State Universal Scientific Library in Irkutsk
Dmitry Kuzakov
In a Private House
The article features the advantages of living in a private house, such as feeling of privacy and safety and redistribution of roles between spouses, which have a positive impact on the family relationships, housekeeping and raising children. Besides, living in the country allows to cut down expenses: energy efficiency of present-day building materials enables to build a warm private house with minimum expenditure on warming, and with the possibility to freely regulate the heating system.
The article features the advantages of living in a private house, such as feeling of privacy and safety and redistribution of roles between spouses, which have a positive impact on the family relationships, housekeeping and raising children. Besides, living in the country allows to cut down...
Alexei Volkov
Aquarium in Question. Pushing the limits of the aquatic realm within the urban environment
In April 2016, arch out loud announced the winners of the international architectural competition, the task of which was to design NYC AQUARIUM & PUBLIC WATERFRONT. The first place was occupied by NYC AQUATRIUM designed by Italian architects.
International Competition Yeongcheon Horse Park in Korea
The international project competition for the design of a Horse Park in Yeongcheon, Korea was organized by the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) and approved by the UIA. The jury awarded three prizes and eight honourable mentions for projects that successfully integrated the themes of horses and nature with the local history and culture.
The international project competition for the design of a Horse Park in Yeongcheon, Korea was organized by the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) and approved by the UIA. The jury awarded three prizes and eight honourable mentions for projects that successfully integrated the themes of horses and...
Designing Ecohouses for Irkutsk: an Ecohouse Designed on the Basis of Thermal Core and Buffer Zone
The article features the principles of ecohouse design. The two ecohouses described in the article are designed for climatic conditions of Irkutsk, basing on the combination of thermal core and buffer zones, and using prefabricated units as well as local building materials.
Anna Zarubina, Alisa Saushkina
Irkutsk Zoo
Alexandra Matveeva, Inna Druzhinina
Beginning of the Fourth Five-Years Period: Chronicle of the Festival “Zodchestvo of Eastern Siberia” 2016
The Landscape Congruity Principle in Urban Planning
Andrei Bolshakov, Anna Surodina, Ellina Maksimova
The article tells about the significance of the Jerusalem staircase and the adjoining upper and lower squares in the system of public spaces in Irkutsk. The author proposes reconstruction with the use of not only stone, but also wooden cover for the lower square and the pavement along Podgornaya Street, as well as the active use of
local lighting during hours of darkness.
Anniversary Squares
The article presents the projects of squares worked out by Irkutsk architects by the city’s 355th anniversary, as well as the comments by the chief architect of Irkutsk Sergey Aleksandrov.
Sergey Aleksandrov
The Silence of the Kulikovo Field
The notion of landscape is closely related to classifying and sense-making perception. The presence of an architectural object can drastically change the semantic field of the landscape. The museum complex “The Battle of Kulikovo Field” transforms a typical mid-Russian steppe landscape into an object filled with historical, mythological, ideological and other senses. As a result, a natural object becomes an object of text and book urban culture.
The notion of landscape is closely related to classifying and sense-making perception. The presence of an architectural object can drastically change the semantic field of the landscape. The museum complex “The Battle of Kulikovo Field” transforms a typical mid-Russian steppe landscape into...
The Museum Building on the Kulikovo Field
Sergey Gnedovsky
The Territorial Development Program for the Moscow Palace of Pioneers
The article presents the functional and spatial concept for complex development of the park of the Moscow City Palace of Children (Youth) Creativity located on Kosygin Street 17, Moscow.