as far as the eye can see *
* Lawrence Weiner
A pedestrian plaza in the heart of Mariupol.
It expands its influence onto the main city axis – Myra Avenue.
Axis creates a link with Teatral’na Square & Mariupol City Administration.
It spreads even further – across streets to sea waterfronts.
It reconnects the city center with its main asset – waterfront.
It can be even said that it reconnects to the values as well.
Requiring to eliminate the noise and non-essential.
The design emphasizes the importance of the void.
It uses standardized materials for all surfaces – horizontal, vertical.
It recognizes the value of the built environment.
It recognizes the importance of living a meaningful life within one’s community.
It becomes empty and public and space.
It spreads inside the building because the void is contagious.
But do we want it to be only empty and public and space?
The public square is inevitably associated with democracy. Though democracy is power of the majority…
‘Public space is designed for the public. But does the word “public” represent everyone?’ – koozarch
The void can belong to everyone as everyone can fulfill it with their own senses, thoughts, opinions, visions, ideas, values, Christmas markets, installations, events, concerts, playgrounds…
And it becomes an opportunity to tell a story about all of it.
We even make it political.
Because democracy is a value.
Because politics is inclusive. At least we believe it is.
And politics is about values.
view pdf of the project:
This project was done before the large scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This is how the site looks like now:
m masha wakula 
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