Brief information about the design site:

The design site occupies an important place in the city, but the street is losing its significance for the population. Residents primarily visit the street to buy food and household goods. The street also provides routes to key locations in the city – the Akinfiy Demidov Museum of Mining History, the improved embankment, and the green space along the Zmeevka and Mortozikha rivers, where a park previously operated. At the same time, Semipalatinskaya Street contains a large number of regionally significant architectural monuments, offering great potential for working with the city's historical and cultural heritage, including preserved objects of high historical value that contribute to tourism development. The memorial area serves a single function and borders the recreational space of the park and the District House of Culture – two of the main attractions of Zmeinogorsk. Together, these fragments of the territory form the central core of the city.

Concept:

The project's concept is rooted in the city's unique characteristics, the history of the mining industry, the engineering innovations first applied at the Zmeinogorsk mine, the region's natural features, and the architectural context. The proposed design elements are based on translating local identity. The design language draws from characteristic elements of historical architecture (arched openings with bow-shaped lintels), as well as imagery of mines, precious metals, snakes, and the natural landscape. These images are conveyed through the use of arched elements, which simultaneously reference historical architecture and the fluid form of a snake. This led to the development of the "Snake" module, which recurs throughout the landscaping elements. Circular plan elements (shafts) appear on the street, traditional materials are used, and the colour palette favours brick and white tones.
A modular boulevard is organised along the street, featuring rest areas of various types, with different functional zones emerging along its length. An event space is created near the planned visitor centre in Sukhov's shop. A small area for physical activity, featuring a compact arch with overhead rungs, is provided near the sports school. On the Shchorsa Street side, a square space is organised with the potential for holding fairs. In the western part, a children's play area called the "Zmeinogorsk Mine" is created. The street's art objects, information stands, and wayfinding elements help realise the concept of an "open-air museum."