take off
experimental project
2024/2025
author - Povilas Šimonėlis, Pijus Andriulis, Kipras Ambrazas
supervisor - Martynas Mankus
Project Description: "Take Off" - Petrašiūnai Power Plant Public Space & Connectivity Hub
Project Overview
The "Take Off" is a visionary urban intervention that transforms the territory of the Petrašiūnai Power Plant in Kaunas, Lithuania, into a vibrant elevated park and a crucial pedestrian connectivity hub. This project proposes a new "human layer" above the industrial zone, creating a seamless blend of public space, ecological awareness, and social infrastructure without disrupting the plant's vital operations. It serves as a dynamic new heart for the surrounding fragmented communities.
Design Concept: A Unifying Thread
The core concept of the "Take Off" is born from the need to connect. It is a single, fluid, organic form that winds its way above the industrial site, stitching together isolated neighborhoods and creating a continuous narrative of movement and pause. This architectural ribbon is not merely a path; it is a multifunctional structure integrating seating, lighting, signage, and green spaces. Its elegant, sweeping form softens the industrial harshness of the site below, creating a striking visual and functional contrast that
celebrates the coexistence of industry and community life.
Addressing Urban Challenges
The Petrašiūnų district suffers from social and physical isolation, with the power plant acting as a barrier between communities on the same side of the river and those across it in Vičiūnai. "The Take Off" directly tackles this urban segregation by:
-
Creating New Physical Links: Establishing safe, elevated pedestrian and bicycle routes that directly connect previously separated neighborhoods.
-
Fostering Social Integration: Providing a shared, neutral ground for diverse communities to meet, interact, and build new connections.
-
Activating Underutilized Space: Introducing a much-needed layer of public amenity onto a purely industrial territory, increasing land use value and civic pride.
Programmatic Richness: A Park in the Sky
The project transcends its role as a bridge to become a destination itself. The "Take Off" offers a diverse program of activities:
-
An amphitheater is nestled into the structure for events and gatherings.
-
Community gardens for urban agriculture and social interaction.
-
Bird-watching decks taking advantage of the proximity to the dendrological reserve.
-
Picnic areas and sculptural elements integrated into the landscape.
-
Quiet zones for contemplation and larger open spaces for active recreation.
-
New planting and greenery that contribute to local biodiversity and create a softer, more natural environment high above the ground.
Experience
The design offers a unique experiential journey. Visitors are elevated to a new vantage point, where they can simultaneously observe the powerful machinery of the power plant at work and enjoy the serene views of the natural landscape. This creates a fascinating dialogue between industry, community, and nature.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Social Infrastructure
The "Take Off" is more than a park; it is a critical piece of social infrastructure that promotes sustainable urban development. By creating new walking and cycling connections it reduces reliance on car travel. By transforming an industrial no-man's-land into a thriving public space, it heals urban fractures and provides a powerful model for the future adaptive reuse of industrial zones, demonstrating how architecture can build connections in every sense of the word.
