Winter Palace Square: Redesigning History with Innovation

An Interactive Approach to Urban Planning

With its rich history and iconic architecture, Saint Petersburg is a city that exudes grandeur. The Winter Palace Square, located in the heart of the city, is a significant landmark that holds immense cultural value. Helen Brasinika, the principal architect and designer behind this project, has taken on the challenge of redesigning this historical square, while preserving its heritage and incorporating modern elements.

The concept behind the Winter Palace Square redesign is to create an interactive spot that promotes engagement and learning. The design draws inspiration from the contrasting nature of winter, playing with light and dark volumes to reflect the character of snow against the darkness of the nearby Volga river.

What sets this design apart is its unique combination of curvilinear and geometric volumes, which pay homage to the historical background of the city. The integration of scarce plants, carefully chosen to respect the garden morphology, adds a fresh and interactive element to the square. The incorporation of advanced technology allows for the transmission of information to visitors, creating an immersive and educational experience.

The realization of this ambitious project requires the use of robotics for molding and manufacturing cement, stone, and resin surfaces. This advanced technology ensures the precision and quality necessary for such a grand-scale design.

One of the key features of the Winter Palace Square redesign is the incorporation of water elements. The flowing benches, made from white concrete, depict the dark waters of the Neva river and the melting ice. Round concrete flower pots act as stepping stones, enhancing the flow along the river banks. The design also includes a chess board, symbolizing the contrasting nature of light and darkness, as well as clusters of music that serve as an interactive stage for young musicians and live performances.

Information plays a crucial role in this design, with cylindrical antique bronze volumes featuring engravings of important dates, local stories, and myths. Linear LED lighting on the floor adds a sense of movement and the passage of time over the years.

The Winter Palace Square redesign project, led by Helen Brasinika and her team at BllendDesign & Research Office, has been ongoing since August 2015. Extensive research into the history of the city, regular visits to Saint Petersburg, and a deep understanding of the cultural context have informed the design choices and materials used.

This innovative design concept has garnered recognition and accolades, including the Bronze A' Design Award in City Planning and Urban Design. The Winter Palace Square redesign stands as a testament to the power of combining history, innovation, and technology to create a truly unique and engaging urban space.