KAZAN MIXED USE COMPLEX

Kazan is a particular city with its rich geographic and historic layers, having both a cosmopolitan demographic and profound sociological structure. Espace Kazan is to be built on a highly important place in the urban memory of the city, on a natural hill that opens to Tukai Square at where the main transportation axis of the city intersects.

The main aim of the design studies are to preserve this memory by enhancing the landscape and the topographical features, while forming special, meaningful and sustainable common areas together with open and closed retail units that will support these areas.

The outline of the natural hill which fades out while reaching the Square is preserved to a great extend and envisaged to be transferred to the next generations with some minor interventions. The topographic slit which was designed right at the axis of Baumann Street –an important pedestrian artery, and the wide stairs reaching out to upper levels both creates a strong fluidity between Tukai Square and the building.

It was aimed that the recreation units on this alley, which settle into the topographic slit smoothly, would have a positive effect on the public space dynamics of the neighborhood. An open amphitheater is planned as a natural stage using the dynamic topography of the Hill. Additionally a new public area is proposed on the highest level that the alley reaches to. The existing trees and geometric settlements are considered important within the context of urban memory hence preserved.

The new structuresare designed according to the topographic features of the area in a way that they smoothly integrate with the nature of the land, with an architectural approach that is humble and in close touch with nature.

With its features of being sensitive on the contextual features of its location and at the same time coinciding with the universal criteria of its time, Espace Kazan project is envisaged to become a unique contemporary architectural piece.