EMBANKMENT OF LAKE DOLGOYE, NORILSK

The climatic conditions in Norilsk are among the most extreme on the planet. In addition, many of the town’s residents work in industrial production, and there are virtually no public spaces or other places to relax and enjoy leisure activities. All of this contributes to a predominantly sedentary lifestyle.

In Norilsk, human comfort is largely confined to the walls of one’s apartment. Yet even in a place where winter lasts nearly all year, people need opportunities to come together, spend time outdoors, and live life to the fullest. We proposed making Norilsk a more comfortable place for its residents and fostering a new habit among locals which is walking around the city year-round. The project envisions a promenade and a public center on the shore of Lake Dolgoye. At its heart there is light and warmth. These are two things the Far North’s city needs most.

The first step in transforming the Dolgoye Lake embankment will be shielding it from industrial impact. As part of the “Northern Project” program, the territory will be rehabilitated, and the industrial load will be minimized. The embankment will be cleared of debris, and all along its length, engineering utilities will be enclosed in a protective casing.

To ensure the year-round use of the embankment, a chain of “heat beacons” will be spread across the area. This network of covered recreational zones, which open up in summer, will allow comfortable movement even in winter. Sports and walking routes will also operate year-round, with wind protection structures installed throughout the embankment.

The 8,600 m² public center is conceived as a “warm street”. It is a covered park, an oasis in the snowy desert, bringing together under one glass roof all the essential functions for town life: retail, educational laboratories, a gastro cluster, a gym, and a children’s playground. The building’s form is designed to shield the area from wind, create a sequence of urban squares outside, and offer the best views of Lake Dolgoye and Mount Schmidt.

At the heart of the entire space there will be a greenhouse featuring tropical plants unique to the North. Serving as an indoor park, it will allow city residents to stroll among greenery at any time of year. The project has been developed in collaboration with Lp-Group, a company with experience in creating greenhouses in extreme conditions.

The landscaping concept is based on the natural tundra landscape with its unique color palette. The plant selection consists of locally sourced frost-resistant species that can be purchased and delivered from Krasnoyarsk. Norilsk is a town with challenging logistics, so during the design stage it was essential to consider both the speed and cost of material delivery.

Lighting plays a key role in the project. It also serves as a navigation tool as light beacons mounted on poles help visitors orient themselves even in blizzard conditions. Warm shelters are illuminated in such a way that they are easy to locate in the dark.