Those you follow my blogging journey, you might have already known that I always love to visit different locations no matter whether they are villages, sub-urban areas, or metropolitan cities. As an architect, I always love to explore the different cultures and contexts of various locations as well as architecture.
I feel architecture is everywhere and there is so much to explore and learn from them. Even in suburban areas, I have found traditional building style and architecture that is completely different from metropolitan cities. My observation process is kinda different and as a consumer, the first thing I notice is surrounding context and how the form is merging and creating a connection with the existing area. Every time I find something exceptional that enriches my knowledge level.
I consider a building as a form first and try to understand how the form is creating a connection with the existing area. For example, here most of the buildings are constructed following the soviet architecture and one can easily identify the style by seeing the appearance. So, a modern building form in the soviet context seems a contrast to me and that makes me curious to see how a modern contemporary form is performing in an old existing context. Sometimes contrast is good, it looks unique and people admire it. Slowly it becomes a landmark of the city but sometimes People are not ready to accept it. I think it varies on the location.
For example, if you create or design a multipurpose form in a slum area, there will be questions, is it worth it building such form in such context, or is it sustainable? Who will use it? Will it last longer? Etc Etc...
A few days ago I went to a Korean restaurant to taste Korean Foods. The restaurant is located near Botanichnyi Sad metro station and is connected with Sarzhyn Yar. The building name is Diamond city which is a pure rectangular-shaped multipurpose building. The shop is located on the ground floor of the building and there are two entrances. One from the directly metro station through the office building and another one is outside of the building which is public. So easily accessible from both entrances.
After leaving the metro station, you will step into a nice hard paved plaza that will lead you to the downstairs, the courtyard of the building. Both stairs and the ramp are available for the people and in the middle of the joint point or interlocking, there is a beautiful fountain.
To break the monotony of the large paved plaza, some small plants are planted. If you use the ramp, you will also experience the green landscape and fountain together while walking.
I really liked how the ramp and the stairs are separated from each other and how the design has been done. I also loved the idea of using the courtyard as a dining area or food court. Using the ramp looked more comfortable to me as this ramp is also connected to the walkway of the Botanical Garden. So, many people use this ramp to go to the metro station from Botanical Garden as well.
The building itself is very simple made of concrete and steel structure. It's a simple 20 storied rectangular form. The tower is rectangular high rise and the podium is also simple interlocked rectangular shaped form.
One part of the building is still under construction.
To me, the water body or the fountain was the best part to explore and enjoy. The staggered landscape merged really well with the context and form. This waterbody is playing a key role in the surrounding context and is one of the modern concepts in Kharkiv.
Diamond city is known as a business center and executed the concept of open space. The total building area is around 24700 meters square.
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From the upper level, one can see the beautiful landscape of the courtyard of the building. On the other hand, from the down level, you can see the details of the waterbody while enjoying the food.
I feel every city needs such kind of public spaces where people can go and enjoy their lunch or dinner. After office and during lunch hour break, one can sit here and enjoy their coffee.
This is a nice example of utilizing open space/courtyard functionally and aesthetically. Moreover, the space is accessible from all directions.
Is it a contrast design in Kharkiv city? I would say Kharkiv is developing and a lot of developments have been happening recently, so this is just the beginning. But development is happening without hampering the main culture and architecture of the Soviet period... It seems like a fusion city to me for now...
Until next time... Have a nice day everyone...
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