Connected with a landscape carpet and linear park, the European Quarter is a housing estate in Tyumen with semi-enclosed blocks, towers and urban villas. Chaotically scattered private wooden cottages, gradually falling into disrepair, became a new Brusnika development in 2019. The European Quarter is one of the projects in this area.

The project concept is the result of the cooperation of several bureaus: the Dutch KCAP designed the masterplan, a joint Russian and Polish S&P Architektura Krajobrazu did landscape master planning, Brusnika Design studio was in charge of the architecture, and Greenhance, the Russian and Swiss practice accomplished the landscape. Neighbouring other estates by Brusnika, the European Quarter embeds into the existing development with a dense network of cycling lanes and pedestrian routes. Intending to create local identity and design urban landmarks, the architects opted for an ‘urban carpet’ concept, a system of landscape inside the quarter, surrounded by diverse development. The urban carpet features a central Linear Park and green private courtyards in the neighbourhoods, offering new amenities.

According to the brief, landscape architects were to design a space generating an inherent wildlife environment, merging into the existing development, adjacent quarters and the natural water body, Tikhoye Lake. A challenging task was to select plants, ornamental throughout seasons and offering convenient uses, hardy enough for harsh continental climates (the average winter temperatures in Tyumen are −15°, at times reaching −35°). Embracing this problem, the architects have designed a dense multi-level garden with plants resistant to cold Siberian winters, with seamlessly integrated sports, play and recreational zones evenly spaced across the area.

Linear Park offers central civic space for residents of the European Quarter and neighbouring houses. It caters to all tastes. More boisterous and large-scale activities are available in the park, while courtyards retain their cosy ambience. A centrally located public square with a fountain, street cafes and statement trees is adjacent to a sports ground for ball games and a workout zone. On the other side sits a large play hub for children of different age groups, with a music-generating area to boost sensory development. A wide range of recreational spots are sited all across the park: street furniture, a pavilion with a terrace, and a multi-purpose lawn. The park opens and closes with a small square, linking it to the Tikhoye Lake Park in the north and abutting the Tura River with another Brusnika development in the south. The courtyards, accessible from the park, conjoin several houses: small urban villas in the centre and variously storied blocks and solitary towers fencing them.

In line with the master plan, all the yards sit on the underground parking roofs. Contrary to common belief, they all feature a green garden and mature trees with large root balls. Six to seven-metre trees with thick canopies and 30-35-centimetre trunks take up to 10-15% of the yard area, and large shrubs consolidate the middle tier. We use medlars, lime trees, pines birches, maples and others. Another 30-40% goes for perennials, lawns and small-height shrubs, such as spiraea, cotoneaster, hawthorn, dogwood, mugo pine, blackcurrant, ninebark, Norway spruce, and azalea — more than 35 species overall. Seasonal interest and bloom schedule are essential when choosing the right plants. The variety of leaves adds colour in autumn, perennials in bloom create summer splendour, and the winter landscape remains decorative thanks to conifers and shrubs with bright stems. Mixed beds of perennials ensure continuous flowering along the main pedestrian routes. Regular blossoming and feeders sited along the park attract insects and birds. This way, a human-induced environment can generate wildlife biodiversity.

A hedge of two-metre lime trees and shrubs encircles the yards, private apartment terraces on the ground floor and divisions between functional zones. It secures privacy with its dense green buffer of trees. Small sections of the tall metal fence only appear next to the main gate and wicket gates leading to the yards.

The courtyards serve multiple functions, featuring playgrounds, workout zones, deckchairs, coffee points, cardboard game spots, and pergolas. The street furniture made of larch and pine timber promotes safety and enhances natural scenery, and mobile greenery is the solution for entrance porches. A vertical garden with trees and tall shrubs emerges in the parking area. Natural daylight comes through the openings in the roof, and greenery enlivens the concrete parking space.

The landscaping in the European Quarter is an ongoing process, proceeding with construction. The first large yard, merging five houses, is complete, while the second yard, along with Linear Park, is being developed. The entire project is due for completion in 2025.