Steps and Observation Deck by .dpt is a spatial intervention on a hillside alongside a local church in Yuryevets, a small historic town in the Ivanovo Region of Russia. The project combines a staircase connecting the upper and lower parts of the town with an observation deck designed as a small amphitheatre.

The .dpt’s main objective was to create a functional element of urban infrastructure that would be used daily by residents and visitors alike. The .dpt team took the brief at its word: the staircase is first and foremost a functional route through the city. At the same time, the team imbued the structure with architectural expressiveness, so that utility and aesthetic quality reinforce one another.

The structure of the stairs is made of metal and painted white, with the steps formed by an openwork metal mesh. This allows vegetation to grow through the steps over time, gradually integrating the staircase into the landscape and lending a sense of lightness to the entire design. The geometry of the stairs is determined by its purpose: the width, height of the steps and rhythm ensure safe and comfortable movement in all seasons.

The observation deck includes a small amphitheatre equipped with binoculars, framing wide panoramic views over the town and serving as the main viewing point of the composition, located at the top of the hillside staircase.

Instead of a single observation deck, the design distributes the experience across several viewing platforms facing in different directions. Additional viewing points are formed on the staircase landings thanks to their protruding geometry. This creates multiple places to pause and observe the town from varying perspectives.

The project functions both as infrastructure and as a public space. The staircase serves a clear practical purpose, providing a safe, comfortable, and well-defined route for everyday movement. Designed for year-round use, it responds to changing seasonal conditions, with human comfort as a primary consideration.

Beyond its infrastructural role, the staircase also functions as a public space, offering places for gathering, stopping, and observing. It maintains a clear spatial logic while remaining open to informal use and everyday interactions.

Over time, natural growth softens the structure, strengthening its connection to the ground, and organically integrates it into the landscape.

The project was completed as part of a series of initiatives preparing the town of Yuryevets in the Ivanovo Region for its 800th anniversary — a comprehensive approach to the regeneration of several areas across the town, with a focus on long-term infrastructure value.

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