“Go Green”
Tuchkov Buyan Park
Type: BArch Thesis Project
Year: 2020
Location: Saint – petersburg, Russia
Size: 16 hectares
The future site of Tuchkov Buyan Park was once a small picturesque island on the Neva, later used for warehouses and the Institute of Applied Chemistry. Today it is an empty plot in the historic center of St. Petersburg, hidden for decades behind a fence. The project offers a unique opportunity to create a new public space just steps away from the city’s main landmarks.
From the park, residents and visitors will enjoy fresh views of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Exchange, and the Neva embankments. Beyond being a park, it will integrate underground spaces to accommodate modern infrastructure and multifunctional public flows, reflecting a contemporary approach to urban development.
In 2020, the competition for the park in the city center was announced. An important role in selecting the site for design was played by both its historical significance and its location, as the territory forms part of the city’s “green corridor.” Tuchkov Buyan Park was chosen for its potential. The surrounding infrastructure is expected to be well developed in the near future, and although the site is currently empty, it already holds strong potential to become an attractive place for both tourists and citizens.
Rain Garden:
In the 20th century, the area was divided into two islands – Tuchkov Buyan and Vatniy Island. The newly created artificial island was therefore named Vatniy Island to remind citizens of its history.
The park will include sustainable features such as “electronic trees” that filter rainwater into a reservoir for irrigation and fountains. In addition, a rain garden will collect stormwater from roofs and streets, allowing it to infiltrate the soil. Planted with grasses and perennials, it is a cost-effective solution to reduce runoff and a vital part of the city’s sustainable development program.
Vatniy Island:
The artificial island, named after the historic Vatniy Island that once existed in this area, highlights the site’s connection to its past. It is surrounded by a shallow 30-cm-deep “river,” designed to be safe for children to play and explore. In addition to this playful landscape, the island will include pavilions that provide spaces for recreation, gatherings, and cultural events, making it both a reminder of history and a vibrant part of the new park.
Underground:
The underground recreational space consists of two levels, each covering an area of 48,000 sq. m. It is designed with a bionic, translucent roof made of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), a modern polymer that combines the benefits of polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene. ETFE is several times lighter than glass, provides excellent thermal insulation, looks aesthetically pleasing, and can be adapted for solar energy collection. Beneath the roof lies a central greenhouse, with a conference hall, library, and exhibition spaces, forming an event- and education-oriented program.
The underground structure is conceived as a single open space supported by columns, with two levels at –3.000 and –6.000 meters, connected by ramps spaced 12 meters apart. The greenhouse ramp under the glass dome serves as the main vertical link. From the main entrance, visitors can descend under the landscaped surface into the library, which opens directly into the exhibition areas. Additional facilities include a multifunctional hall, co-working spaces, yoga and workshop rooms, art galleries, and multimedia laboratories, creating a vibrant cultural and educational hub.
In the 21st century, parks are key drivers of urban development. Tuchkov Buyan Park, with its central location and unique historical and architectural context, is highly valued by the residents of St. Petersburg. The future park, with direct access to the water, will become a crucial node in the city’s green network, connecting Petrovsky and Alexandrovsky Parks and nearby small squares, while creating new pedestrian and bicycle routes. The park will feature in the city’s most famous panoramas, visible from the Palace Embankment and the Vasilievsky Island Spit, while also offering unique views from the Mala Neva Embankment.