Pedestrian Zone at Starokyivska Hora
- Project type
- Heritage
- Year
- 2016
- Location
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Size, m2
- 2300
- Status
- Completed
- Landscape
- Kotsiuba Landscape Architecture
About the project
The goal was to renovate the park around the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, reinstating it as a public destination where visitors could stroll, relax on the lawn, lounge on benches shaded by centuries-old linden trees, and admire the beauty of the historic center and the Dnipro River. The park also serves as an important pedestrian connection between different parts of Kyiv's historical center.
Starting in 2005, an archaeological expedition exploring the foundations of the Tithe Church in the square closed off part of the site until 2016. At the initiative of an NGO and with support from private investors, the park underwent refurbishment.
Landscape designers meticulously studied the original park project to preserve the vision of its creator, Avraam Miletsky. The main park entrance, a stone stairway, was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. Sandstone paving was removed, marked, cleaned, and replaced. Damaged paving stones were replaced with stones from the same quarry. Self-seeding trees and shrubs were removed to reveal scenic views.
Our approach
The objective of restoring heritage buildings is to return them to their former glory and preserve them for future generations. This process begins with thorough research into archive documentation regarding the site's history and, if available, the original intent of its creator. Challenges abound for the design team in projects of this nature, including the fragility of the space, obsolete technologies, and unavailable materials.
Over time, the original context and surroundings inevitably evolve, necessitating an approach that balances reverence with innovation, treating the site as a precious relic while reimagining its potential. As the project progresses from research and design to on-site work, unforeseen challenges inevitably arise, underscoring the need for adaptability and flexibility
Given that such projects typically involve private philanthropic investment, meticulous cost management is imperative to ensure success.
