2 3 SUMMARY ORGANIZERS companies and administrations of various levels, take part in these workshops. We can obtain a brand new solutions to improve the urban environment of Irkutsk only with the help of common efforts of different experts from different cities and countries. In 2012 the administration of Irkutsk established Agency of development of monuments of Irkutsk, JSC, the aim of which is restoration, reconstruction and adoption to modern effective using of monuments of wooden architecture. 40 buildings are planned to be reconstructed in the near future. The agency searches for investors and philanthropists for reconstruc- tion of buildings: objects of cultural heritage, first of all of monuments of wooden architecture with subsequent transfer of the ownership of objects and lands after restoration works. Administration of the city of Irkutsk International workshop of planning and urban design. Cergy-Pontoise, France Aims and questions page 7 Methodology page 8 Background page 9 History of the wooden Irkutsk page 12 Cartography page 16 Methodology page 26 Agenda page 27 About workshop page 30 Agenda page 31 Irkutsk branch of the NGO Russian Union of Architects RESTORATION WORKSHOP National Research Irkutsk State Technical University URBAN PLANNING WORKSHOP Our workshops, whether they are professional or intended for student, bring together representatives of different professions, more or less connected with urban development and planning areas. Urban planners, landscape designers, architects, transport engineers, restorers, economists, ecologists, and sociologists, as well as representatives from project page 6 TOPIC URBAN PLANNING SCHOOL - is a non-profit project site, aimed at creating new ideas and concepts for the development of Irkutsk, solving important problems of urban development. Relevance of the topic
TOPIC
6 TOPIC RELEVANCE TOPIC AIMS AND QUESTIONS of the topic In 2010 the Ministry for Culture of Russia ratified the list of historical cities of Russia that includes 41 settlements. Irkutsk isn't included in that list, but might be considered as the capital of wooden architecture of Russia. In Irkutsk there are more than 1 000 objects of cultural heritage (historical and cultural monuments); 700 of them are unique lacy wooden houses of 19th century. The carving on facades of those houses resembles lace. The custom of decorating houses with rich carvings and patterns came from pagan days. The patterns as well as ornaments were believed to be magical instruments, protect the house from evil powers, contribute to prosperity and provide its owner with rich crop. Wealthy owners decorated their estates with many-tier wooden lace. As time goes by, Siberian masters more and more improved geometric pattern made of wood. Among diamonds, squares, swept propyl patterns, intricate swirls, rosettes, volutes, stars began to appear more often. Pipes of gates and fences were covered by sophisticated ornaments. Irkutsk baroque frames have a special place in the history of Russian house carving. Such diversity and excellence in execution of volutes cannot be found in any other city of Siberia or European Russia. Volute is a complex form of high-relief house carving. It was made mainly with a chisel and a knife, and demanded from the carver to have great skills. A top broad board of frames often was decorated with sophisticated ornaments. Window frames and sun blinds were painted in pure white color. All this gave the wooden houses special elegance. The decoration of wooden houses is not just beautiful curls or meaningless, but original patterns. Houses' façades depict culture and spirit of people who inhabited Siberia, their ideas of beauty, their belief in the existence of good and evil powers of nature. Wooden decoration of Irkutsk houses has several styles, one of which is "Siberian baroque"; it is a unique, virtually unexplored phenomenon of the 7 Main aim of the session is elaboration of modern methods concerning development of historic center of Irkutsk taking into account maintaining of its unique cultural and historical peculiarity. AIMS Historical, cultural and architectural analysis of wooden heritage of Irkutsk. Analyzing of Russian and world experience of maintaining historical, cultural and architectural heritage; Analysis of social and economic, functional, landscape and urban planning status of the territory of the historic center and the existing roadway space. Setting priorities for further development; Elaboration of the concept of the functional purpose of the fragments of historical buildings. Project proposals for reconstruction of quarters of the historic center; Elaboration of approaches and requirements for the content of urban planning regulations of a historical settlement*. QUESTIONS Is it possible to maintain historic wooden development as a comfortable and cozy urban environment? Siberian architecture. The reasons of appearing of this style in Irkutsk are still not explained. Indications that it was created because of people from Europe, Ukraine, and European Russia do not explain anything because anything like this is not found on the whole trajectory of relevant migration flows. In Irkutsk, there are not only detached buildings, but also entire neighborhoods of old wooden building, which is another distinguish feature of the city. Nowadays, historical settlement boundaries and special urban planning regulations for this area are being developed. However, to maintain the unique heritage, it is necessary to develop the concept of conservation, use and adaptation to a new life of objects of cultural heritage and of historic environment by analyzing the best Russian and foreign experience. This concept should stand as the basis of normative legal acts that determine the development of the city of Irkutsk. What decisions is it necessary to take in order to prevent a unique wooden historic environment from disappearing? What principles should be assumed as a basis of maintaining and development of historical center of Irkutsk? What technologies of restoration and adaptation to modern use can be used? What social institutions, norms and rules must exist for realization of this concept? What normative legal acts should be adopted for the implementation of the concept? What instruments of public-private partnerships should be developed for the implementation of the concept? * A historical settlement is a built-up area or a part of it that is included in the federal list of historical settlements or in the regional list of historical settlements, and within which there are objects of cultural heritage, included in the register (roster), identified objects of cultural heritage and objects that are the subjects of protecting of historical settlements. The subject of protecting of historical settlements includes: 1) historically valuable objects - buildings and constructions that form the historical development and are united by scale, volume, structure, style, construction materials, colors and decorative elements; 2) the plan's structure, including its elements; 3) three-dimensional structure; 4) the composition and shape of development - the ratio of vertical and horizontal landmarks and accents; 5) the relationship between urban spaces (vacant, builtup, or green) 6) the relations of compositions and types (panorama), the ratio of the natural and man-made environment.
8 TOPIC METHODOLOGY Call of participants Urban planning workshop Conference Document 2 Analysis of technical condition of the object of restoration Session documents Document # 1 Presentation The purpose of this document is to present the theme of the session to future participants and experts and to bring out its main issues. Document also includes basic information on the design site, cartography, etc. Document # 2 Analytical The second document is being written during the session and includes session book, teams' projects, and the analysis of project proposals. All teams' project proposals undergo the expert review. The pilot of the session makes recommendations about adaptability of these solutions in Irkutsk. Document # 3 Practical The third document is written on the results of the Restoration workshop and includes workshop s diary, materials of technical analysis of objects of restoration and results. 9 BACKGROUND Calendar of events of Summer Workshops Document 1 TOPIC Restoration workshop Document 3 Disputes about the fate of the wooden Irkutsk has been underway for many years. Someone offers totally eliminate the old building, to arrange on a vacant place parks and squares, or to turn the territory occupied by them in the area of modern low-rise buildings - blocked city houses. Someone is strongly opposed, because buildings of glass and concrete in the world a lot, but the Irkutsk wooden architecture - is unique and different. Also there are some proposals to build dozens of of monuments in the "protected historical zone" by staging urban open-air museum. Various conferences and forums about preservation of the architectural heritage take place in Irkutsk quite common. Then, in September of 2007 Service of objects of historical heritage protection in Irkutsk region held International conference about the restoration problems of objects of cultural heritage. Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency, State Objects of Cultural Heritage Protection Administration of Russia Federation, Regional Development Fund of the Irkutsk region, Russian Restorers Association (St. Petersburg), Helenika (International Center of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, St. Petersburg), French Specialists Guild, Manfred Gerner, professor-restorer, FRG, and Irkutsk outlet of Architects Union of Russia. One of the problems discussed on the conference was acute shortage of qualified restorers of various specialties and their training. The result was not long in coming: the first joint workshop of young French Specialists Guild woodworkers (House «Lamothe Landerron», 60 km far from Bordeaux) and Irkutsk trade school 17 was held in architecturalethnographic museum Taltsy in a year, in August and September of 2008. This project was repeated several times, but now it does not exist. Theme of wooden architecture is also being actively considered in the sessions of the Winter University - student urban planning workshops, which held in Irkutsk for 14 years. First ever session of the Winter University in 2000, was completely is dedicated to this topic - "Rehabilitation of the historical center of Irkutsk." Here were considered problems of preservation and further development of the Irkutsk quarters, especially wooden ones. For example, it was suggested to keep as many buildings, and reshape them at public functions: craft and souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels. In 2008 - the "Central historic part of Irkutsk in the new millennium. Challenges and Prospects for Development ". The purpose of the session: to develop the concept and pre-proposal for the further development of the historic center with the preservation of its features. In 2010, in advance of the anniversary of the city held a session on "Preservation and rehabilitation of historic wooden urban environment." The purpose of the session was the creation of the concept of conservation and restoration of traditional urban environment in the context of massive reconstruction and replacement of worn-out and low-value wooden buildings on the example of two historic central quarters of Irkutsk number 131 and 133. The area is approximately 6 acres. There are 126 buildings. Participants were required to prove that the historical wooden buildings should be saved and regenerated. Anyway, the topic of wooden architecture is constantly touched in all sessions of the Winter University as an integral part of the urban environment of Irkutsk.
12 13 HISTORY OF WOODEN IKRUTSK Irkutsk is typical but, at the same time, unique Siberian city. It is typical because it was one the cities of the eastern part of Russia that was founded in the 17th century, as a result of colonization policy, first as a fortified location of fighting groups of Cossacks. Engraving of the Irkutsk fortress ( Irkutsk Ostrog ) Panoramic view of old Irkutsk before the fire. Photo by K. Hoffmann. 1866. Taken from the belfry of Church of the Annunciation. Then, it was a wooden fortress with administrative and military buildings. The wooden fortress eventually turned to be a stone one with wooden residential and administrative buildings. All Siberian cities were developing in that way. With the growth of the settlements, the area around the fortress was built up rapidly, especially with wooden residential houses. Only religious, administrative, and some public buildings were made of stone. The rest of the city, like all other cities in Siberia, was wooden. In fact, the entire residential development was a 1-2 stored wooden houses. In the 18th century city was growing rapidly. One of the reasons of that process was the fact that in 1799 it became the capital city of giant Irkutsk province, which borders reached Alaska. The Russian-American Company was founded in 1799; Irkutsk became a "coastal" city in 1803 the Admiralty was established there that lasted for 36 years, until 1839. All expeditions to the Far East, Mongolia. Yakutia, China, Alaska formed in Irkutsk. Wholesale trade with the Pacific East was concentrated in the hands of the Irkutsk merchants, and this situation promoted intensive construction and growth of the city. The fire of 1879 destroyed the entire central part of the city. After the fire Irkutsk was quickly rebuilt. Moreover, in place of the burned houses, new wood and stone buildings were constructed; they were a little bit different from the buildings that had existed before the fire. This new wooden buildings largely reproduces the form of decorative furniture houses that existed before the fire. This new wooden buildings largely reproduced the decorative form of the houses that existed before the fire. The uniqueness of Irkutsk is that there are still some fragments of wooden buildings that, in fact, almost are the same. The plan 1730. The plan 1767.
14 15 The plan of the provincial city Irkutsk 1792. The plan of the city of Irkutsk, 1914 The plan of the provincial city of Irkutsk in 1879 (with the fire-affected districts) The plan, 1945.
16 CARTOGRAPHY The archaeological heritage of Irkutsk Irkutsk has a special place in the history of archaeology of Russia. The first palaeolithic location Military hospital was discovered here in 1871. Within the city, one of the first neolithic burial grounds in Russia was examined; it is called Glazkovskii burial ground or Lokomotiv burial ground. The existence of urban settlement for more than 300 years formed historical and cultural layer as a special archaeological unit that includes one more record of Irkutsk. The project of protection zones of archeological heritage objects Legend Territory within the boundaries of the object of archeology Part of the archeological object "Glazkovsky necropolis" with a high concentration of burials Territory within the boundaries of archaeological objects - monuments and ensembles Area of regulation of development and economic activity Saturation of the urban area of multitemporal archaeological sites let Irkutsk be considered as a special archaeological phenomenon. This uniqueness has been confirmed in the status of the historical city, which Irkutsk got in 1970. Generally, the cultural layer of Irkutsk was formed as a result of long-term human settlement areas within the modern city line. The convenient geographical location of the territory at the outlet of two big heads of the Angara river - the Irkut - river and Ushakovka (Ida)- river, diversity of landscapes attracted people since ancient times. And as a truly urban area, Irkutsk is a relatively late phenomenon (XVII century), its foundation is connected with the arrival of the Russians. Therefore, archeologists come across two groups of archaeological objects. These two groups correspond to two stages of the development of the territory occupied by the modern city. Pre-urban stage of development of the territory is represented by cultural deposits (i.e. geological deposits that include cultural rests) of archaeological sites; such deposits are limited by parking areas and burial complexes, individual finds and burials that reflect episodes of human exploration of the landscape. Today, within the city line, there are more than 60 archaeological objects from the Stone Age (Paleolithic) to the Middle Ages. The earliest of them belong to the Upper Paleolithic period in chronological range from 40 (50) up to 10,000 years ago. Urban development stage is a process of continuous habitation. In archeological condition, it is expressed by the form of cultural deposits or urbanozems, which actually are a historical and cultural layer. These deposits were formed as a result of long functioning of the human habitations. In the historical and cultural deposits of Irkutsk, a certain group of natural and cultural events that leave traces in the cultural deposits is highlighted. They are: 1) the earthquakes that are typical for the area; 2) flooding occurred with some regularity within the central historical part of Irkutsk; 3) fires, especially those that cover most of the city, such as the city fire in 1879; 4) the stages of settlement and types of development of various historical sites of the city, and changes in the structure of urban planning; 5) changes in the morphology and manufacturing of various artifacts (pottery, wooden items, metal items, changes in technology construction). Actually, cultural deposits consist of separate layers with the rests of wood chips, bark, bones, broken glass, numerous remnants of ceramic, glass and porcelain utensils, and without them. These layers show different activities of Irkutsk citizens. There are rests of log cabins houses, cellars, and rests of fences. In cultural stratum there are house blockings, cellars and some fences remained. There is a unique discovery in Chkalova St. remains of lath fence by which allotment boards are marked. It corresponds to farmstead boards on the plans of the second part of 18th century. In Karla Marksa St. in lower cultural strata trenches were stripped. Its width is 1 meter and depth is about 0.70 meters. It was stripped in the place where in the center there were remains of the fence in the form of the lower part of polls 4-5 cm in diameter. Possible date of this fence is 18th the beginning of 19th cc. 17
18 Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on Angara river banks in the flood zone. This zone was formed by tectonic processes fractures. As a result in geological past a kind of diastrophic movement occurred. Geologists call it strike-slip. In the city center three rivers axes cross and coincide with fracture axes. These rivers are Angara, Irkut and Ushakovka. Two fractures are crossed here. The main fracture axis, that is Angara river axis, splits in the cross point. The sector of upstream flow shifts to the sector of underflow 2km to the east. In such a manner city center zone is constrained by Angara river banks on the shift sector and by Ushakovka river bank. On this old tectonic basis relief of this sector was formed by river activity. Center zone is wide bottom land and has a form of trapezium. Trapezium south eastern side is formed by high bench (10 m) of Angara river terrace above flood-plain. Erodible processes and elements of soil slips were registered on a stiff slope. So, center outline is formed by valuable and specific (in ecological respect) riverside and steep side landscapes. Inner territory has smooth relief. Landscape and urban planning conditions of the historic center Plan of protection zones of historical and cultural monuments Landscape and geomorphological analysis Legend River terraces floodplain terraces of rivers Angara and Irkut elevated fragments of floodplain terraces flat 1st floodplain terrace fragments of a flat-sloping 2nd floodplain terraces with small elevation flat-sloping 3rd floodplain terrace The characteristic elements of the urban relief steep slopes of terraces and ravines broad gully and ravines land sliding slopes edge of terraces zone of panoramic perception of the historic center of the city Overview directions of city value of the surrounding landscape Overview sites of city value of the surrounding landscape 19
20 Space-planning center structure is presented by the following planning districts which have genetic and morphological differences: 1) ostrog (Irkutsk burg), 2) faubourg settlement around ostrog walled by vallum (it was demolished in the first third part of 18th century), 3) Soldier suburb settlement outside the vallum, 4) piedmont. Ostrog was demolished many years ago, now Sukachev garden is laid out there and a fragment of embankment was built. The fuabourg was destroyed by the fire of 1789 and then it was built up with stone buildings. Some wooden buildings were preserved in Soldier suburb and they compose a unique historical and architectural heritage of Irkutsk city. Street net in the center of Irkutsk is the memorial of urban planning art. Center layout contains so called cells quarters which are characterized by large variety. They are different according to their size and irregular shape. However, the net is well ordered. Combination of diversity and order is a quality mark of this urban planning composition. Net regulation is carried out thanks to submission of these cells to main streets. Main central streets are: Karla Marksa St. (former Bolshoy avenue), Dekabrskih Sobytii St. (former Laninckaya St.), Pervaya Sovetskaya St. (former Ierusalimskaya St.), Baikalskaya St. (former Rusinovskaya St.). Streets of lower significance are: Timiryaeva St. (former Preobrazhenskaya St.), Dzerzhinskogo St. (former Arsenalnaya St.) and Suhe-Batora St. (former Tihvinskaya St.). Karla Marksa and Timiryazeva Streets form the boards of Soldier suburb. Since wooden construction heritage is preserved in a greater degree, Soldier suburb will be observed in details. Space-planning structure of the historic center Plan of protection zones of historical and cultural monuments. Landscape and compositional analysis Legend Extant elements of historic planning structure (as of 1915) Lost elements of historic planning structure (as of 2004) main compositional sites main compositional sites high rise historic dominants high rise historic dominants streets, oriented to landscape dominants squares riverbeds squares Main elements of visual perception city cemeteries main dominant sites of the landscape Green plants the main area of the visual perception of the panorama of the historic city center Viewpoints of the best visual perception of the urban and natural landscape city forests, forest parks recreation areas main parks, squares, boulevards, gardens secondary natural Reserve Area of visual perception of valuable elements of urban development and the natural landscape lost parks, squares, boulevards, gardens of city value of the surrounding landscape zone of compositional influence of historical dominants in the center (visual basin) 21
22 Historical and architectural basic plan Legend objects of cultural heritage of federal significance objects of cultural heritage of region significance objects of cultural heritage, proposed for state protection number of quarter address number of cultural heritage object to the object of cultural heritage, recommended to the transfer to the territory of the regeneration during development of the city valuable soviet reference building to the object of cultural heritage, recommended to the transfer to the territory of the regeneration in the implementation of the city transport scheme ordinary historical building lost religious and socially significant buildings, recommended the re-establishment objects that have lost historical and cultural importance and to be demolished in the implementation of the transport scheme existing historic gardens, parks, cottages valuable historical reference building (an object of historical and architectural environment) objects of regional significance that have lost historical and cultural importance and to be demolished in the implementation of the transport scheme territory of historic cemeteries (the lost and existing) cultural heritage objects (the separate burial place), the federal / regional significance historical territory of Churches (including graveyards and gardens) lost historic gardens, parks, cottages approved area of cultural heritage object cultural heritage objects (monumental art), the federal / regional significance objects of cultural heritage associated with historical events location of an object of cultural heritage of the federal / of regional significance dismantled in the process of restoration location of the lost object of cultural heritage the location of the lost cultural heritage object which recommended for exclusion from the state register red lines of historical valuable structure broken historic red lines planning lost religious and socially significant buildings location of Irkutsk fortress ( Irkutskiy Ostrog ) ensembles and complexes, standing on the state protection integral parts of historical development disharmonious objects to be rehabilitation, upgrading or change of function disharmonious facilities subject to demolition or removal current borders of Irkutsk 23
URBAN PLANNING WORKSHOP
26 URBAN PLANNING WORKSHOP METHODOLOGY URBAN PLANNING WORKSHOP WORKSHOP CALENDAR Urban Planning Workshop - it s a workshop for professionals and students, which includes not only educational programs, but also design. Aim of session - creation of conceptual proposals for preserve and develop the unique historical environment of the center of Irkutsk. [CONFERENCE] Irkutsk - Capital of Wooden Architecture 27 MAY Presentation of local experts Round table Master-classes Stages Formation of assignment Applications for participation MARCH Selection of students APRIL WORKSHOP MAY JUNE [Arrival of participants] 16 JUNE [Infoday_1] 17 JUNE Analysis of the workshop JULY Conference Sightseeing tour of the city Introductory lectures [Infoday_2] 18 JUNE Presentations of local programs and projects In the workshop participates three teams, each of which includes not only professional urban planners and restorers, but administration officials and young professionals as well as students. [Concept] 19 JUNE Formation of the teams Work in teams for step 1 - Concept Teams structure EXPERTS 2 foreign 1 russian YOUNG specialist 27 REPRESENTATIVE of administration STUDENTS studying the restoration [Strategy] 20 JUNE Developing strategies, methods and tools [Project] 21 JUNE Project development [Presentation] 22 JUNE Presentation of teams projects, discussion, conclusions [Tour to Lake Baikal] 23 JUNE [Departure of participants] 24 JUNE
RESTORATION WORKSHOP
30 RESTORATION SCHOOL RESTORATION SCHOOL ABOUT WORKSHOP AGENDA Stage_1 Stage_2 JULY The idea of the project was to give an opportunity to young restorers from different countries to take a shot at real reconstruction of object of cultural heritage in the city of Irkutsk having passed all stages of reconstruction and repairing works from the studying of monument history and execution of restoration project to its implementation. Experts in restoration from different countries are ready to acquaint students with ancient but forgotten methods and technologies of building and restoration. It is a great opportunity for students to try to do something with their own hands, come in touch with ancient masters' traditions which always were the starting point in any field. During the session of Restoration Workshop students will have an opportunity to communicate with international experts and specialists in the area of objects of cultural heritage restoration. They will be able to get new skills in the profession, to acquaint with traditional building technologies of Siberia, Russia and the world. They will debate, discuss and solve problems in the area of restoration together on a concrete object. 31 Stage_3 AUGUST SEPTEMBER [Stage_1] Inspection and diagnostics of the technical condition of the building JULY [ Stage_ 2] Measurements and comprehensive researches AUGUST [ Stage_ 3] Restoration of wooden cultural heritage project on a city site 1-28 SEPTEMBER The restoration project, the ability to adapt to the modern features and requirements
URBAN PLANNING SCHOOL CONTACTS For further information, please contact us: Anna VEDERNIKOVA projects curator t: +7 924 633 73 53 e: a.vedernikova@urbanps.org Valeria NUIANZINA projects manager t: +7 950 07 11 789 e: v.nuianzina@urbanps.org info@urbanplanningschool.com info@urbanps.org www.facebook.com/urbanplanningschool At writing this document it was used publications of architectural magazine "Проект Байкал / project baikal" 20/2009, as well as materials of masterplan of Irkutsk