I see landscape architecture practice as a chance to sensitize and improve our culture of sharing urban and natural environments. The essential focus of my work lies in the marriage of different disciplines aimed at helping to mitigate environmental risks and increase life quality in cities. I believe that the boundaries of spatial design can and should be expanded through encouraged collaborations between architects, real estate developers, politicians, citizens, artists, scientists, and other actors aspiring to create healthy inspiring spaces.
PUBLIC GARDENS IN ANYKSCIAI
2020-
landscape architecture
Anykščiai, a historic town in the North of Lithuania, is located in a national park and surrounded by nature, but many residents live in late 20th-century socialist housing areas. Buildings in these developments are slowly being renovated, however, public space has not changed for the last 40 years and most of the infrastructure is derelict.
We created a new urban strategy and identity for three socialist housing areas in Anykščiai by introducing a new green urban framework. Along with designing new connections and backbones, we suggested reinforcing and rebuilding several key spots in each neighbourhood by combining the needs of children, adults, and seniors. Since one of our goals in this project was to avoid fragmentation and social segregation, new landscape and architectural features reinforced existing paths and created clear walkable routes through the neighbourhoods.
The landscape in this project is the key to creating new spatial qualities. In the vast, undefined grass fields, we introduced new planting and elements – fruit gardens, farming areas, play and sports facilities, community tables, and pavilions.
The project spans three areas, however, they are seen as a part of one city-wide network. Each area offers different qualities, therefore, reinforcing local individual characters.
The project is currently under construction and is planned to be completed by the end of 2023.
Project team - Office de Architectura, Sigita Simona Paplauskaitė
Text - Office de Architectura
Client - Anyksciai district municipality