Improved Borovitskaya Square has been presented to Moscow residents

Today, on Unity Day, a ceremonial opening of the monument to Prince Vladimir and Borovitskaya Square, which was improved after project designed by ai-architects, has been held in Moscow. Founder of bureau Alexander Tomashenko and Ivan Kolmanok told about key components of their concept.

The project of improvement of Borovitskaya Square was chosen during architectural competition, held with support of Architectural Council of Moscow. Its participants were 20 young Moscow architects. Ai-architects created the illusion of water drop with radiating circles, drawing attention of the jury. In their project, which was based on strict technical specifications, everything was designed in details — from the place of the central sculpture and walking routs planning to consideration of the future exploitation of the square.

Ivan Kolmanok: Initially our work was build on investigation of the site, as the square is round everything is designed with this in mind. Idea of circles radiating on the water was performed by radial form of steps and spot lights spinning spiral round in the lawn.

Alexander Tomashenko: Our concept, perhaps, is the most minimalistic among the other participants. But, there are lots of constraints on the territory of Borovitsky hill: this is a protected area, which is also under Federal Protective Service’s supervision, and there are many things which cannot be done there, and the task assigned by Chief Moscow Architect is to improve the square. So, we decided to think over what is necessary to be done for people’s convenience.

Ivan Kolmanok: When we investigated the site, together with Architectural Council of Moscow, we found that no one uses pavement on Borovitskaya Square. People which are heading from the metro station to Bolotnaya Square or to Krasny Oktyabr do not go round the hill but cross it even when there is mud and ice. And we decided to improve this route.

Alexander Tomashenko: The square is crossed by steps composed of 1700 individual stone pieces, each step has reinforced concrete base with holes through which lawn can grow, otherwise stone will “flow”. We made drawing for each detail; as a result we received a fridge-height bunch of papers. Besides, we definitely wanted lights to be included into the base of steps, and we faced a problem how to do this. We worked with several contractors making test samples. And finally we made lights of suitable radial shape.

Ivan Kolmanok: All in all, we used over 700 linear meters of diode lighting. 280 small bulbs will be buried in earth, staying invisible at day-time they will make an effect of twinkling grass at night. Drivers passing the square will see waves of light radiating on the lawn. The spot lights will have different modes of work. One mode will be holiday, when the lights will be radiating from top downward, and the second mode — standard: twinkling, imitating rips on the water surface.

Alexander Tomashenko: Lightning fixture with white LEDs 9 800 meters in radius was installed into the square foundation, located around the pedestal of the monument. In wet foggy weather water drops will be reflecting in its surface creating beautiful gauze. We also wanted to install meteorological station which could read weather conditions and automatic equipment would switch lightning modes. As for lightning intensity, we were looking for balance, because if the lightning fixture is too bright it overshadows the monument.

Ivan Kolmanok: Some rods of lampposts will have illuminants that will highlight the monument itself, but this is area for work of other professionals.

Alexander Tomashenko: Even though our concept has sophisticated technical solutions we made every effort so that it was implemented the way we planned it. We hope that Moscow residents will like it.