Gdansk is striving to transform its public spaces into friendlier and greener places. One of the most recent steps in this direction was the competition for the development of Długie Ogrody Street. The goal of the initiative was to create a modern and green space, conducive to both residents/residents and visitors. Three best designs were selected in the competition, and third place went to the design team of Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michal Szymanski and Jakub Wichtowski from the University of Arts in Poznan.
site development plan
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
idea and character of the space
The awarded project is distinguished by its innovative approach to public space. The main idea is minimal design intervention, allowing to preserve the existing tree stand and reuse available materials. The designers posed the questions: Is it necessary to constantly build new structures? How can nature and architecture be combined? The answer is a space that combines the historical context of the site with modern landscape solutions.
cross sections
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
Long Gardens is an area rich in historical context, which the young architects and architects decided to emphasize by preserving and better exposing historic sites. An important element of the concept is to create a green space with native plant species, instead of recreating the old alleys in their original form. The project involves the creation of an open garden full of diverse plant forms, which will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
cross sections
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
green infrastructure and ecology
One of the most important aspects of the project is ecology. The priority is to solve the problem of rainwater management by building a retention system. New tree plantings will be placed so as not to interfere with existing underground installations. Water retention will be implemented through special retention troughs and drainage systems. In addition, permeable paving will be introduced, reducing the risk of local flooding.
The Long Gardens area is to be not only a recreational space, but also a place for integration of residents/residents. A number of functional zones are envisaged, such as a basketball court, a skatepark and spaces for relaxation and neighborhood meetings. These elements are intended to foster active lifestyles and stimulate movement and interaction between users/women.
axonometry
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
The project also takes into account transportation issues. Pedestrian and bicycle routes will be routed on already existing paved surfaces, which will minimize costs and material consumption. A limited speed zone (30 km/h) will be introduced, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to move safely.
sustainable greenery
The designed greenery is crucial to the functioning of the entire space. The creators of the concept decided to move away from a monoculture of trees and use a mix of species, supporting biodiversity. The introduction of a variety of avenue trees, fruit trees and shrubs will create a more resilient ecosystem.
The project includes a number of ecological solutions, such as energy-efficient LED lighting with motion sensors, the use of recycled materials for the construction of landscaping elements, and the use of green roofs on selected structures. In addition, the project includes flower meadows that require less frequent mowing, support pollinators and reduce water consumption.
visualization
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
The project also takes into account the aesthetic aspect and accessibility for all users/users. Pedestrian surfaces will be made of stone slabs, and darker accents will help to clearly divide the space. Contrasting elements for people with limited visual perception will also be used, making the space welcoming to everyone.
visualization
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
The project is an innovative and ecological vision for Long Gardens. Combining history with modern landscape solutions, ecological approach and care for the quality of life of residents/residents can make this space a green showcase of Gdansk. The realization of such a project is a step towards a more sustainable and people- and environment-friendly future. We wrote about the other awarded projects on our portal (see Urban squares instead of cars. This is how the Long Gardens in Gdansk will change).
visualization
© Alicja Aydar, Aleksandra Walas, Piotr Banaszek, Michał Szymański, Jakub Wichtowski
