SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX AND YACHT CLUB ON BYCHIY ISLAND

BUILT | 2017

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

The sports and entertainment complex and yacht club of the Presidential Judo Sports Club ‘Yavara-Neva’ is built on Bychiy Island. It is located in the Neva Delta in St. Petersburg and is bounded by the Middle Nevka River, the Rowing Channel, and the Gulf of Finland. The location determined the main component of the master plan and stylistics of the complex - a combination of eco-minimalism and energy-efficient architecture.

The composition and shape of the buildings are subordinated to the wind rose: the aerodynamic silhouette and windscreens from the north and northwest protect visitors from the prevailing winds of the Gulf of Finland.

The complex has everything necessary for a full-fledged training process and comfortable recreation. There ‘Yavara-Neva’ yacht club, ten cottages, spaces for administration, and the key object - a sports centre with a training area. It consists of wrestling and rhythmic gymnastics halls, a 25-metre swimming pool, premises for medical staff, and a hotel for athletes.

The heart of the facility's composition is a multifunctional hall with stands for 2,000 seats. Its interior opens out onto Yelagin Island, while the foyer and entrance group are orientated towards Gazprom Arena - the venue of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A cantilevered sun-printed canopy forms the interior of the square.

Covered Japanese gardens with evergreen pine trees organically integrate the building into the surrounding landscape, while the dynamic and expressive facade with three types of glass, emphasises the sporting orientation. The active character of the building is also revealed by its colour scheme, vertical sun lamella, flower boxes, and golden friezes of the entrance groups.

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