Reimagining a Moskva River neighbourhood for people and place

JTP, in collaboration with GAFA Architects, created a placemaking and architectural vision for a large-scale regeneration project in central Moscow.

River Gardens is a mixed-use neighbourhood conceived as a sequence of green, people-focussed spaces embedded within a major urban regeneration project. The primary entrance to the development is formed by landscaped park corridors, establishing a strong connection between the public realm and the residential environment.

Commercial buildings are strategically positioned to address contrasting urban conditions, fronting the Third Transport Ring to ensure visibility and urban presence, while simultaneously forming a protective buffer that shields residential areas from noise and pollution.

The sculpted building forms are carefully arranged to enhance river views for the majority of apartments maximising value. At the heart of the neighbourhood lies a central plaza, conceived as a social anchor and everyday meeting place for residents.

Project Delivery

– Set back from the site boundaries, the L-shaped building form provides a calm and protected environment, shielding south-facing sports and playground areas from the adjacent main thoroughfare.

– A diverse range of architectural typologies and a non-linear urban layout create a series of intimate public spaces, accommodating cafés, recreational areas, and pedestrian routes that encourage social interaction.

– The public space draws on the site’s industrial heritage, integrating a distinctive advertising strategy, year-round functionality, and an observation deck overlooking the river, alongside informal gathering areas.

– The shared school and kindergarten are located along the quieter, one-way Tyufeleva Roshcha street, with secondary access from Avtozavodskaya Street.