Seafront public space «New Riviera» by Architectural buro ab2.0

“New Riviera”: Four Years of Architectural Poetry in the Heart of Sochi
Sochi, 2020–2024 | ab2.0 Architectural Bureau | Project Lead: Alisa Shmeleva

Project Scale and Vision
“Riviera” is not just an urban renewal initiative—it is a large-scale transformation of one of Sochi’s most historically and geographically iconic areas. Nestled on a natural promontory bordered by the Black Sea to the west and the Sochi River to the east, the site forms a rare natural amphitheater and a symbolic coastal “cake” that visually and spatially connects the city to its resort identity.
The total project area across all four stages is approximately 4.5 hectares.
The design vision, developed entirely by a single architectural bureau, aimed to create a continuous pedestrian experience infused with natural harmony, spatial poetry, and cultural resonance. From forested plateaus to sun-drenched terraces, from riverbank views to sea breezes, the Riviera route captures the full emotional register of a southern promenade.

Implementation Stages
2020. Phase One: Lower Promenade and Sunset Amphitheater
The journey began with the creation of a seafront amphitheater made of tiered wooden platforms facing the setting sun. A 24-meter cascading ramp-stairway connects the beach with the public space, complemented by custom-designed benches, workout zones, and sculptural elements. The amphitheater now hosts open-air events: DJ sets, poetry readings, saxophone concerts, and spontaneous gatherings at golden hour. The site instantly resonated with residents and tourists alike—Riviera Beach was named the #1 beach in the Krasnodar region for its public infrastructure.
2021. Phase Two: Upper Park and Historical Promenade
In the second phase, the upper part of the site was reimagined as a shady, welcoming park beneath the canopy of century-old chestnuts and cypresses. The historical walking axis was preserved and enhanced with gently curving paths, flower beds, and shaded wooden platforms built around existing trees. An open-air photo gallery narrates the resort’s rich past through archival images. A rooftop terrace on the beach administration building offers loungers and serves as a micro-stage for children’s performances during national holidays and festivals. Every corner of the space invites lingering and discovery.
2023. Phase Three: Sloped Gardens and Lecture Deck
The most challenging phase addressed the steep elevation gap of eight meters between the upper and lower areas. A dynamic system of curved retaining walls and accessible ramps was introduced, offering two routes: a scenic, gradual descent with flower-integrated seating areas, and a more direct path that embraces a small amphitheater-style lecture deck nestled among plane trees. This tiered garden features cascading benches, native flora, and a seamless blend of hardscape and vegetation. A children’s playground is built directly into the slope, offering climbing structures, shaded rest zones, and drinking fountains.
2024. Phase Four: Completing the Circuit and Splash Plaza
The final phase, unveiled for the 2024 summer season, links back to the starting point, closing the loop and creating a continuous architectural experience. Highlights include a shaded alley with integrated seating, ping-pong and teqball tables, and a vibrant splash zone for children—a sensory oasis of mist, light, and motion. The centerpiece is a sweeping parametric pergola draped in blooming wisteria, offering a place of rest, reflection, and beauty at the edge of the sea.

Conclusion
“Riviera” is now a living, breathing urban stage—designed to evolve with the city and its community. What began as a fragmented coastal zone is now a unified environment of layered movement, memory, and material. Its architectural language flows like the sea beside it: uninterrupted, intuitive, and deeply human.
This transformation was made possible by the consistency of a single author’s hand across all four years of work—ensuring design unity, narrative continuity, and emotional depth. The Riviera project restores the spirit of the historic Caucasian Riviera in a new, contemporary form, proving that great public spaces are not only about infrastructure, but about atmosphere, generosity, and meaning.
It is a place to pause. A place to return. A place to call your own.

• Project typology: seafront and riverfront multifunctional public space and beach complex• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:

Architectural buro ab2.0

• All architecture offices involved in the design:

Architectural buro ab2.0

• Location of the project
Russia, Sochi