An innovative city complex was completed in the microdistrict Evrobereg in the Russian city Novovsibirsk. In this project architects enforced ties with local culture and fit a traditional parking in the building, which looks like rock.
According to the masterplan, that was developed by the Dutch office KCAP in 2016, one of the building in riverfront of the Evrobereg was conceived as a multilevel parking
standing separately. However, bureau SVESMI, the authors of architecture, offered to design this building as a multifunctional object which will be useful for residents and citizens both. So they developed an original typology — parking with offices and commercial spaces that suit working and relaxing. This approach satisfies the residents' requirement to have a parking, forms new retail and services and supports business activity.
By cutting the rectangular slab diagonally and turning it into the structure that descends in steps towards the river embankment, the designers created an opportunity to add a diverse program on top of the existing floors of parking.
All commercial spaces, offices and viewing platforms with facades made of light steel frames and glass panels constitute the added programmatic layer.
Internal spaces flooded with daylight are complemented with open balconies and
a large roof terrace that is accessible to the whole community of the Garages complex and local residents.
A coworking space is placed on three floors of the building. It can be used by all citizens. This space with small studios, open space and meeting rooms is suitable for urban start-ups and small business, such as, for instance, design ateliers, IT, artisanal production, different courses, etc. Larger space on the upper floors can also accommodate a restaurant or coffee shop. All commercial spaces have river views.
The project was inspired by the grass-rout local “garage culture” that became ubiquitous in many socialist countries. In the past, individual garage was the only permitted form of private property. Composed into separate clusters, most of these garages were turned into improvised studios by their owners. A simple universal “box” became a symbol of creative, uncharted spirit and a space for hobbies, small jobs or workshops of all kinds. This tradition to have a special place for a small business where your car is parked is still alive and the project taps into the energy of this popular concept.
Alexander Sverdlov, project architect, SVESMI:
— A private garage used to be the only legitimate property. Ironically, in the Soviet era, a small metal box housing a garage was associated with relative freedom. Such garages formed clusters of individual communities with shared interests and unique subcultures. Car owners used the space designated for their automobiles to work, relax and meet friends. We have carefully researched the ‘third place’ tradition, referring to workshops and small communal spaces at the garage. Thus inspired, we designed a city estate where we supplement parking places with compact ateliers and studios intended for small businesses.
Enveloped by massive walls, the composition of glass rooms with terraces and public platforms creates an image of monumental fragility, inspired by the beauty of a multifaceted crystal bursting out of the solid rock.
Intentional roughness in detailing and the choice in favour of cheap, democratic materials help to create the feeling of a non-designed structure, of a place that grew naturally and almost spontaneously over the years as any classical garage complex of the previous era. The complex targets very different social groups – from young locals and city creatives to more conservative public and even tourists.
With its stairs with wide steps, terraces, panoramic platforms, and interior facilities, this complex is designed as an unusual vertical public space that could accommodate visitors in various seasons, offering scenic views over the river Ob’ and the growing modern district around it.
2019
2024
Total area 一 12,000 m2
Parking 一 6,500 m2
Offices 一 2,200 m2
Retail 一 1,800 m2
Terraces 一 500 m2
Architecture 一 SVESMI, Brusnika.Design
Developer — Brusnika
Photo — Maxim Loskutov
Maxim Loskutov
