One of the most disputable issues in architectural world is a problem of renovating cities that were wiped off the face of the earth during the war or fully destroyed because of the freak of the nature. Each city has its own history and local peculiarities, therefore there are no universal methods how to raise the city from ashes and is it necessary to make it one-to-one as it was before, in this case there is a great danger to make a fake town.
Task Description
The task was to redesign the centre of Kaliningrad (former Königsberg) destroyed after 1945; to breath a new life in the city which had been one of the most magnificent places in former times.
The poetry of this place was emphasized by its location. Therefore the main aim of the architectural proposal was on the one hand to restore the romantic spirit of the place, now partly abandoned and partly filled with the buildings from the 50th; on the other hand it was necessary to keep its identity and to integrate it into the existing plot.
Sports complex, the biggest in the city located in the centre, it was built in the beginning of the50-th, but now it’s morally out of date. New project should attract tourists, artists and sportsmen from every corner of the world provide both tourists and citizens with various facilities and restore the fame of Königsberg.
Site Description
After the World War II the city was destroyed and in the latest 50th started to rise but without any relation to the past. As a result of quick decisions the city lost its individuality. Rectangular sports complex located on the bank of the river blocks the picturesque view. Area close to the centre had been left as a huge park without trees; as a result it became abandoned and dull. River Pregol, enveloped the island with the Cathedral, is not used; lack of bridges make island inaccessible.
Project Description
Project is made on the basis of the red lines of Königsberg. Survived drawings and pictures of the city were the starting point in designing. They ought to be a spiritual connection between past and future planning. Thus new plans of the buildings were based on several features borrowed from the past such as height of the buildings, sloping roofs typical for that period and historical outlines with their angles, curved lines and intricate net of streets but at the same time the body of the structure differed very much from what was there before to avoid creating a fake architecture of the past.
On the one hand, it would connect new buildings with the past; on the other hand, it would help to dissolve the central historical part with existing. To open view to the river, park and Cathedral, huge sporting facilities are lowering below the ground, while above the ground appear a transparent complex with Pedestrian Square for performances and other activities, surrounded with the hotel and administrative buildings.
Structure
The design of the sports complex and a range of raw materials were chosen according to ecology, comfort and health. Everything is provided for people of different ages and professions. An open square on the elevated platform allows arranging both open-air classical and contemporary concerts. Seats for spectators integrated in different floors of the surrounding buildings in cafes and restaurants, allow visiting performances even without paying for the performance, only for the cup of tea. Intricate system of passages on the ground floor allows visiting sporting events without going inside of the hall.
All facilities located below the ground are provided with natural illumination through the wholes in the ground and in the platform; however, all rooms located underground are only for temporary use. All living accommodations and offices are located above the ground. Windows of hotels and apartments opens to the park and island.

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