Crystal Istra Landscape Design, Moscow

Click for more images

Landscape design for Crystal Istra, Moscow

Crystal Istra aims to create not only a community amongst the parkland but a lifestyle that is fitting to the sophisticated Russian market and delivers against their high expectations. The existing forestry and the river are at the core of the project, merging old with new. Houses will be positioned into the landscape, not the other way around. The boardwalk, which runs along the river’s edge, will have jetties onto the river and provides 10 distinct areas for relaxation as well as a gentle promenade.

By linking the expanse of parkland gardens the effect is similar to ‘green fingers’ stretching through the community and naturally breaking up the housing. There will be five garden designs to work with the different properties in order to provide variation and a sense of non-uniformity amongst this very naturally organic area.

The linear park designed for children is located at the centre of the community, connecting an entrance to the riverside boardwalk. It’s a children’s fantasy world with playgrounds, rockeries to climb, slides and a ‘Robin Hood’ canopy boardwalk. A stream has been designed to transform into an ice slide in winter for tobogganing – the track runs all the way from the upper part of the park down to the river hockey and skating field.