Marginalis Project: Reviving Nature in Belkino Park

The Marginalis project emerges from the heart of a ravine that once thrived as a vibrant play area and a popular sledding slope, nestled within the picturesque Belkino mansion park area. This intervention seeks to reestablish the connection between the ravine and its natural surroundings, which have been disrupted by urbanization. Once a flourishing extension of the park, the ravine fell victim to development pressures, transforming into an open parking lot and eventually leading to an abandoned shopping center project that left the area desolate for over a decade.

In its state of neglect, the ravine displayed remarkable resilience as nature began to reclaim the land. The once lifeless concrete slab, a remnant of the failed construction, has been transformed into a lush tapestry of grasses and wildflowers, partially submerged in groundwater. The soil, originally excavated during construction, has evolved into a thriving landscape teeming with new plant life. The existing conditions of the site are acknowledged without moral judgment, embracing the duality of its history and current state as an integral part of the site's mysterious charm.

To facilitate exploration and enhance accessibility, a network of wooden paths has been thoughtfully introduced throughout the ravine. These paths serve multiple functions, from providing a simple means of traversing the area to offering protection and preservation for the site. Beyond their practical purpose, these pathways invite visitors to engage with the landscape, allowing them to witness the gradual transformation of the concrete remnants into a beautiful ruin, reminiscent of archaeological dig sites. By aligning with the grid of columns on the foundation slab, the path network establishes a sense of order while respecting the natural contours of the landscape.

Each segment of the path grid legitimizes the existing state of the ravine, offering a range of use cases and inviting diverse interpretations of the site’s contents. This multiplicity of perspectives enriches the visitor experience, empowering individuals to connect with the history and atmosphere of the place in their own unique way. The Marginalis project, crafted by the renowned architectural studio whitelakewhitelake, stands as a celebration of the beauty inherent in forgotten spaces, inviting people to rediscover the ravine’s story through a new lens.

Ultimately, the Marginalis project reclaims the ravine's rightful place within the Belkino mansion park area, serving as a powerful testament to nature's resilience and the potential for forgotten spaces to be revitalized. The delicate interplay of order and adaptability presented by the wooden paths encourages visitors to engage with the site’s evolving narrative, fostering a deeper connection to the intriguing atmosphere that surrounds them. This project exemplifies how architecture can harmoniously coexist with nature, breathing new life into neglected areas and allowing them to flourish once more.

Read also about the Log Houses by Projectstroy - Cozy Wooden Homes project