Creating an urban beach is a challenge, since it must combine a connection with the natural recreation and the functional saturation of the urban environment. We were faced with the task of designing a comfortable place for recreation by the water in an urban area.
The project was completed in the fall of 2023. It is a natural beach in an urban environment. In addition to the beach, recreation areas are located in several small grottoes in the winding coast with natural vegetation and on piers near the water. On the upper level of the territory, separate from the main traffic flows, there are workout and yoga areas. Therefore, this part of the beach is perfect for sports away from the noise.
The beach area is quite a difficult place to create a comfortable environment. It is a narrow space with a strong difference in relief. By shaping the ground, private spaces in the slope alternate with open “balconies” on the upper part of the beach, which allows visitors to choose between a secluded and rich recreation and building a diverse environment. The initially narrow coastline was expanded by a retaining wall made of gabions, turning the lower tier of the beach into a full-fledged recreation space.
A network of paths and ramps made of decking allows people with disabilities to walk around the territory. We used natural materials typical of the Moscow region (such as wood, granite boulders, gravel, sand), but added a warm pink shade to this range as an experiment. This allowed us to create a simultaneously natural and urban space with an atmosphere of country recreation and a unique visual code.
