GURYEVSK LIGHT PARK || Where History Meets Innovation in Public Space Design
Most people would venture to a park to enjoy the sunshine, but this new light park draws a bigger crowd at night.
Guryevsk Light Park in the Kaliningrad Region redefines the boundaries of public spaces by blending artistic design, historical inspiration, and cutting-edge lighting technology. By day, visitors can enjoy tranquil moments by the pond, while at night, the park transforms into an illuminated wonderland, radiating an atmosphere of enchantment and modernity.
Soaring trees and landscaped greenery invites visitors to settle onto a comfortable bench and bask in the tranquility of the surroundings.
Situated in the heart of Guryevsk, the park spans an impressive 8.5 hectares. The multidisciplinary architectural studio dot.bureau and consulting agency Sheredega Consulting envisioned its concept. The design marries a respect for the natural landscape with forward-thinking architectural interventions, transforming the space into a year-round destination. The project gained acclaim after winning the All-Russian competition for creating comfortable urban environments in 2021, and its phased implementation began in 2023.
From the moment visitors step through the entrance, they are greeted by large-scale light installations that extend the vibrancy of the urban fabric. These dynamic displays are more than visual spectacles; they set the tone for a journey filled with discovery and interaction. The pathways, illuminated by embedded colourful tiles, guide visitors through a landscape alive with architectural and natural beauty. Above, glowing circular rings evoke futuristic clouds, creating an ethereal ambiance as daylight fades.
The park’s entrance sets the tone with striking light installations and dynamic energy.
Light is not merely an embellishment here—it is a narrative force. The sequential arrangement of illuminated arches leads to the Guryevka River embankment, where wooden loungers, an amphitheatre, and glowing “reeds” offer spaces for relaxation and quiet reflection. A lighthouse, radiating a soft moonlight glow, stands as the architectural centrepiece, anchoring the design’s thematic interplay of illumination and heritage.
The park's western section features a serene pond bordered by a wooden promenade. This area’s understated elegance invites visitors to enjoy tranquil moments amid thoughtfully integrated natural and built elements. Families are drawn to the whimsical playground, where structures resembling alien spaceships spark the imagination of young adventurers. These playful designs nod to futurism and local folklore, contrasting the park’s otherwise sophisticated aesthetic.
Whimsical playground structures evoke alien spaceships, blending creativity with fun.
The wooden promenade around the pond invites serene moments of reflection.
Historical continuity enriches the park’s narrative, with half-timbered architectural elements and animal-themed sculptures hearkening back to Neuhausen’s 19th-century zoo. The thoughtful inclusion of these motifs bridges the past and present, grounding the futuristic design in a sense of place and legacy.
Beyond its aesthetic and recreational appeal, Guryevsk Light Park exemplifies functional design. The layout ensures an even distribution of visitors, avoiding overcrowding and preserving the serenity of the space. This balance allows for active engagement and quiet contemplation, ensuring every visitor can find their own rhythm within the park.
With its innovative use of light, reverence for history, and commitment to accessibility, Guryevsk Light Park has set a new standard for public spaces in small towns. It is more than a park; it is a living, breathing canvas where nature, culture, and design converge.
Illuminated arches guide visitors through the forest to the Guryevka River embankment.
PROJECT DETAILS
Guryevsk Light Park: Kaliningrad Region, Guryevsk, 6 B Kaliningrad Highway
Author Team: dot.bureau - concept, architectural and planning solutions Alexey Chadovich
(head of dot.bureau), Nadezhda Chadovich (chief project architect, dot.bureau), Natalia
Morozova (lead architect dot.bureau), Alexander Krylov (visualizer, dot.bureau).
Sheredega Consulting - consortium leader, socio-cultural programming, community
engagement, economic justification. Yuri Sheredega (partner and co-founder of Sheredega
Consulting), Evgenia Sheredega (partner and co-founder, chief architect of Sheredega
Consulting), Alexander Marulin (chief economist of Sheredega Consulting), Ekaterina
Tolmacheva (architect of Sheredega Consulting), Dmitry Letunovsky (analyst of Sheredega
Consulting).
Design bureau "другая архитектура" ("another architecture") - concept adaptation / general
designer of design and working documentation.
Photos: Dmitry Chebanenko (01 - 023) Photos - Denis Kichatov (024-026)
Area: 8.5 Ha
Completion: 2023-2024
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