Renovation of the «River Gates» territories in St. Petersburg

Saint-Petersburg Mining University

Project idea

Currently, the «river gates» of St. Petersburg are represented by the Bolshoi Obukhovskiy Bridge, the river passenger port on the right bank and the Spartak garden on the left bank. These elements of the urban
environment exist independently of each other and do not fully realize their spatial potential, despite their important location for the city.

The project offers a solution for the development of the area, addressing the issue of neglected waterfront spaces by creating a new urban focal point.

In connection with all of the above, the main objectives of the project are:
− revitalization and reorganization of the territory of the Passenger Port and Salt Pier;
− creation of a multifunctional public space on the embankments that could become a point of attraction on an urban scale and thereby support the polycentric development model of St. Petersburg;
− ensuring pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to the territory;
− increasing the number of berths for river vessels;
− organization of a connected transport hub from land transport to water transport;

Project description

On the right bank, a multifunctional river terminal building (along with harbors for vessels, piers, waterfront access points, and observation platforms) is designed. On the left bank, the emphasis is focused on preserving the garden structure, adapting the unused football field for the skate park, and providing water access similar to the right bank.

The river station building is the central and most significant object of the right bank territory of the “river gates”. Its architectural volume includes two buildings, each of which has its own functional purpose.

The first building, three-level, includes the main lobby, ticket office and administrative offices, which are located on the top level.

The second extended building on the ground floor houses commercial premises, exhibition and assembly halls, and a restaurant. Thanks to such rich functional content of the station building, the territory will attract visitors even in the winter season, when river navigation stops. The second floor is entirely dedicated to a hotel with 68 rooms. The first floor of the extended building is divided by through passages, providing ventilation, visibility and access from the parking lot directly to the embankment.

Technical information

The frame of the river terminal building is made of prefabricated reinforced concrete structures. The columns have a cross-section of 400x400 mm and are located at a variable distance from 8000 mm to 10000 mm from each other. They rest on a pile-slab foundation and reinforced concrete piles.

The façade is finished from hinged panels of galvanized metal sheeting MP-18, which is attached to the horizontal substructure using brackets and L-shaped guides. For the ventilated facade system, mineral wool insulation and adhesive waterproofing are used.