About “wild urbanism”

"To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils, no one will choose the greater when he might have the less." - Plato
“Zaryadye Park” was open in 2017 near Red Square in Moscow. Approximately 12 000 people visit this park each day. It was called “One of the World's Greatest Places 2018” by “TIME”. I was one of the architects of this project. The concept was made by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Continuing the idea of “wild urbanism”, which they established by High Line, the project focused on bringing natural environment in the city. In this project urban environment is merged with the landscape. All buildings are hidden under the hills. The landscape is based on the nature of 4 climate zones of Russia.

In the original concept, the project was not only spectacular but also tried to be “ecological”: energy reuse, the establishment of new urban flora and fauna, etc. 

This project was very expensive (which is not very sustainable))). But then how the decision was made? Because after experts, Moscow/Federal government as a client had the last word. And they liked expressive forms made by DS+R. 

The companies where I worked made concepts and realized the other parts of the project, not the one made by DS+R (but we had to collaborate and adapt our design to theirs). 

During realization, all “ecological”/”sustainable” features of the project were eliminated due to the budget changes. Personally I worked on a huge public space near the river and an underground passage with a museum. We had to change our concept several times, change the scale to adapt to new requirements. 

Located in the heart of the country this new symbolic project had to represent new sustainable approaches to design. But it is also a perfect illustration of client preferences and all the obstacles of the architectural/urban design process. 

As always nobody knows that “backstage” of our profession and all the projects. Even a very good project with great intentions and socially responsible concepts.

And architects have no control even in the less restrictive projects and “wealthy” clients. 

After this project, I left the company and started to work in a consultancy, where I finally had an opportunity to really influence something. 

New landscapes should be created, they are created every day, nature and architecture are the same things in the end, but it is very important to know that this trend is also a political thing.