Richert & Park – Residential Landscape

Context

The site is located in Podil, at a rare intersection of the city’s urban fabric and the natural slopes of Yurkovytsia Hill. Here, the street grid reaches the base of the hill, but the steep terrain keeps it isolated from the rest of the city. With no convenient connections, this area has remained largely unused by the residents of Podil.

In the past, the territory formed part of Podil’s industrial belt. It was home to the Richert factory, which mined clay for brick production. Over time, the excavation site filled with water, creating a lake, while the slopes of the hill became even steeper. This unique combination of industrial heritage and natural formation was left abandoned, and a clear link between the upper and lower parts of the city never emerged.

Concept

The Richert environment is already lively and active. We strengthen this character and add the missing infrastructure: greenery, paving, seating. It is a historic setting that we enrich with urban activities. The surrounding façades are filled with public functions and move in the rhythm of the city.  

In the heart of the city lies a pocket of wilderness. The hillside is developed as a recreational landscape. We enhance its natural qualities: cleaning the lake, reinforcing its banks, caring for the trees, and creating a walking route.

Two landscapes meet here: the historic urban environment and the natural hillside, brought together by a promenade. This intersection defines the value of the new Richert space — residents experience the mutual strengths of both city and nature. Two forces combined create a third — an urban realm seamlessly connected with the natural landscape.

Master Plan

Зонування та обмеження

Urban functions are concentrated along the edges facing Nyzhnoiurkivska and Kyrylivska streets. The profiles of these streets and Richert Square are integrated and open to the city. The internal street serves as a collective space for residents and visitors, linking Richert Square with Mylnyi Lane.

The promenade begins beyond Richert Square and extends toward the natural landscape of Yurkovytsia Hill, where the forest and lake are located.

Private courtyard spaces, enclosed by residential buildings, are accessible only to residents. A kindergarten with its own dedicated area is also included.

Richert Square

A key space with the former Richert factory building and its old brick chimney. This place defines the identity of the complex and holds potential for cultural venues, local museums, and souvenir shops.

Brick, concrete, and metal accents convey the industrial atmosphere. Along the façade, cafés are located, open areas are framed by green squares, and mist from water fountains drifts through the air.

The square connects directly to Nyzhnoiurkivska and Kyrylivska streets. It is an active space where urban life flows in from the surrounding streets. An ideal location for a community center, co-working spaces, cafés, and shops. This square serves as the main gateway to the complex and a natural meeting point.

Event Square

Beyond the chimney and the green square lies an open plaza for events. It is a flexible space that can transform into a market, a Christmas tree setting, or an outdoor exhibition.

The steps in front of the plaza form a separate public area — a viewing terrace for observing what takes place there. Here, more greenery appears, reflecting the character of the promenade. Combined with planting, seating, and a ramp, this space provides an inclusive entrance to the promenade.

Promenade

The promenade is a space that brings neighbors together. Residents of different buildings meet here, while children and teenagers play side by side. Local cafés and small businesses are oriented toward the community.

It is a path through greenery, with integrated areas for sports, play, and relaxation. At the same time, it serves as a guest zone that leads from the city into nature, with separate routes for transit and for strolling. A concrete path intertwines with one made of clinker brick. This space immerses visitors in greenery, leads them toward the water, and gradually transforms into a waterfront.

Within the promenade, spaces for residents’ leisure are woven into the landscape. Here are play areas for older children and teenagers, sports courts, and zones for relaxation. These are shared spaces for activities and family recreation across different age groups.

Mountain Lake

The promenade continues along the lake, embracing it with natural play areas and urban cafés, merging with the shoreline. From the promenade, wide views open toward the lake, the hills, and the natural rocky edges where visitors can sit and dip their feet in the water.

At the center lies a large meadow with an urban sandy beach as a public gathering place. Piers, concrete, decking, stone, and sand — each part of the shoreline offers a different way to interact with the water. Boating reveals not only the lake from the shore but also the shore from the water. On the opposite bank, a wooden pathway with terraces stretches out above the lake.

Slopes of Yurkovytsia

The mountain slopes form a sequence of terraces along the viewing path. A ramp lifts visitors to an overlook that hovers above the lake. From here, one can take in the water space with its fountain circulation, the movement of boats, reflections of the shores, and the shimmer of the city.

From this point, the path offers a choice: to circle back around the lake and return to the city, or to continue deeper into the forest. The trail begins to climb the hill, leading to the southeastern slope of Yurkovytsia — a historic area of Kyiv. Between the trees, the city panorama unfolds, fully opening at the summit.

Inner Courtyards. Principles of Formation

The courtyards for residents are located on top of the underground parking structure.

These spaces combine nature and activity, but nature takes precedence.

They are flexible areas for diverse family recreation, with pergolas for rest and socializing, and playgrounds designed primarily for small children and infants.

Inner Courtyard

The central feature of the courtyard is a large meadow, interwoven with paths leading to play, sport, and relaxation areas for children. The terrain creates cozy green zones around the meadow, giving the courtyard a natural and open character.

Closer to the buildings, terraces with pergolas provide spaces for families with young children. Here, areas are organized for neighborhood activities such as table tennis, picnics, and more.

The courtyard encourages spending more time outdoors, surrounded by nature.

Вулиці

The adjoining city streets, Nyzhnoiurkivska and Kyrylivska, form a complete public space. Beyond serving as transit routes, they invite people to stop, enjoy food on outdoor terraces, or rest among the tree-lined greenery.

Landscaping

The plant palette shifts gradually across the residential complex. Tall standard trees form alleys along the city squares, streets, and small parks. Open spaces are emphasized by large-leaved linden, plane trees, and maples. Closer to the promenade, a rich variety of ornamental species appears, carefully maintained within the residential areas — including apple, cherry, serviceberry, and bird cherry. Further toward the hill, natural greenery takes over, with the trees of wild forests: pine, alder, poplar, and birch.

This gradient of plantings follows the spatial logic of the design. Landscaping enhances the experience of being in these places.

Phasing of Implementation

The territory is divided into ten phases of implementation. The first phase will focus on Richert Square and the adjoining residential block. Upon completion of this stage, access to the lake will be provided. The tenth phase envisions a recreational zone, to be developed once this part of the project is reached. Here, the terrain of Yurkovytsia will be restored, with natural playgrounds and community gardens created for local residents.