SKETCH DESIGN OF THE LANDSCAPING FOR OUR LADY OF KAZAN CHURCH IN YEKATERINBURG

Head of the project: Dmitry Ostroumov
Architects and designers: Maria Timofeeva, Victoria Mokrozub
3D visualizer: Darya Kolesnikova
Graphic design: Darya Orlova
Year: 2024

The design site is located at the intersection of Dimitrova and Griboyedov streets in Yekaterinburg. Its territory can be divided into the church site and the green space. The green space is adjacent to the church site. It extends along Griboyedov Street, narrowing towards the northern border with a difference in height of 2.5 m. The relief of the adjoining section evenly decreases towards the end of the street. The nature of this area allows for the creation of a park area near the church. The extended territory of the park is cut by a central alley oriented towards the church. The park includes recreation areas, playgrounds, workout areas, walking paths, and several small architectural forms.

The church building is the centerpiece of the area due to its predominant location on a hill. The hill on which the church stands becomes a stylobate with a retaining stone wall. The north-eastern border of the church site bordering the park area runs along the active relief. It ends with a 4-meter difference in height from the level of the stylobate to the lowest point of the park area. The park area is connected to the church site by a central staircase, continuing the axis towards the church. The entrances to the church territory are decorated with white stone arches.

There are six entrances to the church territory. The main one is on the corner of both streets. It is decorated with an arch and a chapel with icon cases on the sides. There is a ramp nearby. The high retaining wall is decorated with bas-reliefs and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God at the entrance. The fencing is a combination of the arches of white stone and lattice with vertical pillars. The church is illuminated by four lamp poles. There are also lamp posts and lanterns on the pillars of the fencing. The entrance by car from Dimitrova Street is decorated with a white-stone arch with a wicket for pedestrians. Along the entire south-eastern border of the territory, there is a driveway to the church site. From this driveway, there is a turn to the site of the planned parish house.

The church complex includes a shop, a refectory called "Five Loaves and Two Fishes," a charity pavilion at the entrance to the territory, a children's playground, a parking area for 16 cars, a sightseeing platform, recreation areas, and a devotional cross overlooking the park. The refectory is located on the northern corner of the stylobate at its highest point. Because of this, the building has one floor on the stylobate and two in the stylobate itself, with an exit to the ground level from Griboyedov Street. The access is by elevator and stairs. The cafeteria on the -1 floor can be entered from Griboyedov Street. A little further away, there is a public transport stop built into the wall of the stylobate. Five staircases lead to the stylobate level. Three of them lead to the park area, and two lead to the street. To the east, the stylobate "merges" with the ground level. Evergreen thujas are planted along the inner side of the fence on Dimitrova Street.

The church is built in the Neoclassical style. All other buildings and small architectural forms in the area share this style. The combination of white plaster, natural stone, and wood in the exterior of the objects gives an environmentally friendly modern look to the complex but does not deprive it of the restraint of the Neoclassical style.