A project of a renovation of the citycenter of Almetyevsk is a several stage project, aiming to bring a mono-city back to its citizens, transform streets, buildings and parks into a united space comfortable to live in on a daily basis. The project has deep roots in the city’s history and is one of the measures taken in order to reshape mono-city. It shows, how the city can transfer from a resource-based to an innovative economy by improving the quality of urban areas.
Community center replaced a former department store from 1970s. The goal was to create a multi-functional building for all-season activities such as arts, culture and science. Pattern on the perforated façade relates to the geology of the region. An original drawing is a stylized sequence of the oil-containing layers of the Almetyevsk ledge, which also refers to a corporate identity of “Tatneft”. Administrative cluster PJSC Tatneft is a set of buildings constructed throughout times. Reconstruction united these buildings into a cluster matching the company’s status, creating an entirely new look of curved black glass symbolizing flowing oil.
In order to unite different functions, Arcanika created a public space, which became a new center of attraction for citizens of Almetyevsk. The space is divided in different theme-zones. In the center there is a sculpture “Karakuz”, surrounded by pedestrian and green zones. Eco-trail made of larch connects main entrance of the headquarter with an underground parking and a park with a square in front of the Community
One of the problems of Almetyevsk is an absence of the city center, as its infrastructure has not changed since the Soviet time. The project was initiated by Tatneft - a Russian oil company, the largest taxpayer and anchor employer of the mono-city. For us, architects, it was significant to create a project deeply connected with history and traditions of the region and contributes to transforming mono-city.
A new public space united cultural and business life of citizens – a modern request, affecting the quality of city space and desire of young generation to stay in the hometown. The project gave birth to the first area in Almetyevsk which can be called “citycenter”: people hang out in the shade of trees, work, study and spend leisure time in this area all year long. In order to accentuate consistency of tradition we found a local legend of Tatar woman-warrior Karakuz and put her sculpture in the square.
The reconstructed city center has become a driver for growth not only for big businesses (restaurant chain) but for local brands (fashion labels, dance studios) and influencers filming their ads and reels for social media in the park. This shows how public spaces associate with success and prosperity of Almetyevsk and its citizens.
