Architectural Concept for the Landscaping of Gusikha
Ключевая информация
Заказчик:RCC
Расположение:Russia, Karabash
Статус:proj
Направление:arch
Год:2023
Типология:gor
Project Site and Its History
Gusikha is a 383-metre hill located in the centre of Karabash, offering a striking view over the city. Its potential as a new urban landmark is defined by its unique central position, proximity to the pond, and location near the main approach road. Gusikha has every chance of becoming a symbol of the city — one associated with Karabash and its local industries.
At present, the hill is not popular with residents: it is difficult to climb, the area is poorly maintained, and there are almost no points of interest. With the support of the city’s anchor industrial enterprise, the municipal administration is interested in addressing this problem through a carefully considered landscape improvement strategy. The architectural competition made it possible to reflect on the specific qualities and subtleties involved in transforming an austere industrial landscape.
Synergy with the site and the city’s urban initiatives should begin with the architecture of the project itself. For this reason, as part of the competition, the CNTR team developed a landscape design project for Gusikha Hill titled «The Mine.»
A team of architects, sociologists, local historians, and active residents began working on a project aimed at creating new opportunities on Gusikha for comfortable recreation, preserving the hill’s history, and highlighting its unique character.
Industrial tourism, local history and patriotic events, wellness routes, and sports trails can all be organised thanks to the hill’s advantageous central location and its connection to the pond embankment.
As envisioned by the architects, the improvement of the hill should become a comfortable, continuous public space where people can walk, exercise, and relax.
The Hill in Reverse: An Inside-Out Mine
Karabash needs a variety of leisure scenarios, supported by seamless routes, ergonomic spaces, and functional zones for everyone. The spirit of the place carries undeniable value, expressed through a set of characteristics that the CNTR team sought to reflect in the landscape design concept. We reveal the history of the place — a history that had long remained «hidden underground.»
In line with the Inside-Out Mine concept, the pedestrian routes were named to reflect different aspects of mining activity. The colour palette of the trails is developed in three versions: pink, green, and a gradient between the two. The gradient changes according to a simple principle: the higher the route, the brighter and more precious the tone; the lower it is, the more natural and ecological it becomes. The entrance area and information centre also pay tribute to copper — the main wealth of this mining district.
The use of bright colours and gradients gives the project a distinctive identity. The entire palette refers to the history and nature of the place. The colour concept for the paths is developed in three variations: pink, green, and a gradient between the two. The gradient follows a clear principle: the higher the route, the brighter and more precious the tone; the lower it is, the more natural and ecological it becomes.
The hill and the mines become the main protagonists of the site. Through colour, density, and movement, they project their hidden contents outward: layered profiles, folds, rock formations, and mine systems. Elements of the mines become visible and accessible, allowing every visitor to learn more about the history of the area.
The routes are raised on supports, leaving the hill itself untouched. We believe this will allow it to regain its original green character.
The railings and pathways are also conceived in permeable materials, ensuring visual lightness and environmental sensitivity. In developing the project, we followed the principles of efficient zoning and an even distribution of functions across all spaces, opening up different routes for visitors to the complex.
New Routes
As the concept unfolds, the names of the routes refer to the structure of a mine — «Adit» and «Shaft» — and also pass through different mining «levels.»
The pedestrian connections will follow existing footpaths, while new routes are also proposed in several directions: towards the top of the hill, towards the social facilities around it, and towards the newly developed zones.
Most of the routes will be located on the southern side. This is determined by the orientation towards the main viewpoints and by the need to minimise impact on the existing landscape, as the northern slope has very dense vegetation. On the topographic diagram, contour intervals are shown at 1 m, 10 m, 20 m, and 40 m.
Functional Zones
Priority was given to several play spaces. Children and adults alike will enjoy a playful journey along the all-season slide, which refers to mining headframes. A variety of event zones will help people gather around new points of attraction and find an emotional connection in the elements of the landscape design and the natural surroundings.
The emotional experience is conveyed through:
- the creation of connected pedestrian routes representing miners’ trails;
- the introduction of a «tactile» trail, where emotion is conveyed through the natural textures of the elements;
- the use of small-scale architectural elements;
- the idea of «little secrets in the ground» expressed through gabions;
- interaction with rock outcrops emerging to the surface;
- the introduction of a colour gradient;
- lighting design, including night-time illumination. Landscape lighting along the «Adit» route uses low bollard lights that will not create light spill towards the surrounding residential buildings.
The improvement of the viewing platform and the access routes leading to it will increase the value of this area for local residents. As a result, Gusikha Hill will once again become a popular place for recreation, offering a beautiful view over the city.
