Projects of USUST students for a modern park in Slobozhanske
On June,25 2025, a technical meeting was held at the Slobozhanske Village Council to present and discuss the options for arranging a park in the second ward of Slobozhanske. Kateryna Baliuk and Nicole Khodak, third-year students of the Department of Design and Reconstruction of the Architectural Environment of SEI ‘Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture’, USUST worked on these projects. The projects were supervised by the associate professor Kateryna Kharchenko and senior lecturer Tetiana Suvorova. The students worked on their ideas throughout the semester, and presented the result of their hard work, creative research, and understanding of the urban space functions.
The presentation of the projects became possible thanks to the previously signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Slobozhansky Village Council and SEI ‘PSACEA’. The project was accompanied by an experienced architect Valerii Osadchuk. All the participants of the meeting highly appreciated the presented works, and the project authors and their mentors received certificates of appreciation from the Slobozhanska territorial community.
Ivan Kaminsky, the village head, empahsized that such initiatives are an example of effective cooperation between education and local government, which allows young people to be involved in the creation of a comfortable environment.
The project of Nicole Khodak is a small garden ‘Leisure’ (supervisor: Tetiana Suvorova).
The key idea of the project is to create a space that serves as an organic extension of the natural environment, with an emphasis on contemplation, communication, and interaction with nature. It is designed as an inclusive environment where every user, regardless of age or social status, can find their own place.
The architectural language of the project is based on smooth, bionic forms that appear to ‘grow’ from the ground and guide the flow of movement. The walking routes include the ‘Red Path’, ‘Shining Trails’, recreational zones, playgrounds for children and sports activities, a gazebo area, parking spaces, etc.
Landscape architecture is given a special attention in the project: tall trees form a protective green barrier, ornamental willows add a sense of coziness, and neatly trimmed shrubs highlight the shapes of the landscaped zones. The space is enriched with designer elements, including a yin-yang–inspired gazebo symbolizing balance and tranquility, as well as unique spiderweb-shaped lamps that provide soft, lace-like lighting during nighttime.
The project stands out for its modern vision of the interaction between humans and space through light, shape, color, and a sense of safety.
The project of Kateryna Baliuk is ‘Garden of Life’ (supervisor: Kateryna Kharchenko)
This project presents a symbolic and functional space where active and passive recreation is harmoniously united with commemoration of national history. The concept is rooted in Ukrainian symbols: the viburnum (kalyna), representing rebirth, and the oak, a symbol of strength and longevity.The layout includes a children’s area with trampolines, a skate park, a climbing wall, an amphitheater, navigation objects, rest zones, a drinking fountain, and a dendrological park. The green composition features oak, plane tree, viburnum, ornamental plum, magnolia, lavender, etc. A distinctive design element is the innovative use of QR codes. By scanning them, visitors can influence the atmosphere of the space – adjust lighting, change the color of the fountain, or switvh on musical scenarios. This creates the effect of a living, responsive garden – one that reacts to human emotions and desires.
The central element is the Alley of Memory, a place of honour and tranquillity where birch trees commemorate the fallen heroes. Each tree is a silent symbol of courage, gratitude and unquenchable memory.
The navigation Pole is a key point of orientation in the ‘Garden of Life’. It contains a map of the entire space with conventional zone designations for rest, play, water, silence, and communication. The navigation helps visitors intuitively explore the space and choose the zone that matches their emotional state, and QR codes on the map allow them to learn more about individual elements of the garden.
The garden lighting is implemented using round floodlights with diffused light, linear spotlights aimed at illuminating tree trunks and lower branches to create light accents, while track lighting creates a spatial light frame around the tree, emphasizing its symbolic role as the heart of the park. The beams of light intersect, creating the effect of a luminous pavilion that unites nature and architecture.
The central tree with pendant lights is the heart of the ‘Garden of Life’. The lighting design was inspired by images of the starry sky, fireflies, and festive garlands, evoking warmth, coziness, and a sense of wonder. Light spheres of various sizes symbolize dreams, thoughts, and moments of life. They are big and small and each of them holds its own value.
This tree is the largest and most striking element in the entire park. It was chosen as the central axis of the composition, serving as a focal point and landmark. In the evening, it transforms into a luminous beacon that unites the space and creates an atmosphere of tranquility, beauty, and inner light.
Both projects are not only architectural proposals but genuine environmental concepts, which are carefully considered, artistically compelling, and socially relevant. Their implementation will serve as a vivid example of collaboration between the university, the community, and young professionals who are already capable of transforming the space around them.
