The Pavshinskaya Poyma is a densely populated residential area of Krasnogorsk with a very compact development of high-rise residential buildings which needed recreational areas for comfortable living, walks with children and leisure (the nearest park was not located within walking distance). Basis studio has been working on this project for five years and continues to work on it. The entire project for the improvement of Pavshinskaya Poyma covers about 13 hectares. The first stage, completed in autumn 2020, constituted 4 hectares; now another large part of the lower embankment is completed.
Ivan Ohapkin, head of Basis studio: "The area has been on everyone's radar because of the current difficult situation. On the one hand, it is located on the river, opposite the biggest concert and exhibition complex and the metro station used by the entire Krasnogorsk city. On the other hand, it is surrounded by a very dense development of high-rise residential buildings, and in fact, acts as the adjacent territory. There is a large amount of pedestrian traffic passing through the project area. The task of combining a modern promenade for residents and courtyards for locals was quite a challenge. We were lucky enough to have several architects living in the area and working on the project, so despite the challenge, we understood the problems and found the solutions."
The architects managed to separate the different pedestrian streams including those coming from the bridge and those heading towards the church so that the inhabitants of the high-rise buildings could stroll peacefully in the courtyard and the residents of Krasnogorsk could walk along the promenade.
Research and engineering surveys were carried out to see how the project impacted the water area of the Moscow River and how the ecosystem could be preserved. By choosing a curved embankment, Basis employed divers who carefully examined the riverbed. It was crucial to see whether the water current would wash debris into these curved surfaces. The area has become more open: the upper embankment is now much easier to access from the lower embankment (including people with limited mobility), and the lower embankment has water access in several places and is connected to river transport.
The new section of the embankment will eventually become green and shady with planted maples, willows, beautiful tall grass. The waterfront is now home to lounge chairs, benches and two observation decks with marvelous views. The long jogging track along the river appeared as a result of many public hearings and discussions, meetings with activists, working closely with the residents and engaging them in the design concept.
Basis studio's design is based on socio-cultural programming and user experience. The studio produces custom urban design elements for each space. The most natural materials and forms were used in the Pavshinskaya territory. This was important both visually and semantically: the studio wanted to create a light, open, accessible environment as opposed to an urbanized environment. The playground elements are made entirely of natural materials. An important part of the project idea was to design a blooming garden and hills to diversify the landscape: create more comfortable spaces with an elaborate design visible from the bridge, protecting from strong winds and adding greenery to the densely built environment.
