Compiled by Team IAnD
Visualisations: PYXID; courtesy UNStudio
Read Time: 3 mins
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Connecting Russia and China with the first ever cross border cable car – UNStudio' design of the Blagoveshchensk Cable Car Terminal not only responds to its immediate urban location, but also becomes an expression of cultural identity and a podium for the intermingling of cultures…
Emerging winner of the invited competition managed by Strelka KB (who is incidentally responsible for the economic and functional model of the Cable Car Terminal), UNStudio designs the first ever cross border cable car, which will carry passengers across the Amur River to connect Russia and China.
The new cable car line will connect the cities of Heihe in China and Blagoveshchensk in Russia in a matter of minutes. Comprising two lines and four cabins - each with a capacity of 60 passengers and extra space for luggage – journey time will be approximately 7:30 mins, while actual travel time will be 3:30 mins.
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Since the mid-19th century, the Amur River has defined the natural boundary between Russia and China. However, when frozen over with thick ice, the river literally supports trade, commerce, social connection and a growing relationship between the two cities. This frozen river became an important reference point for UNStudio’s winning Cable Car Terminal design. The building takes this historical connection as an inspiration for the organisation of programmes, materialisation, spatial quality and curated views of both cities. Much like the ice on the river, the building becomes an engine for creating social connections between two cultures and a beacon for a joint prosperous future between the two nations.
The location of the terminal curates the visual relationship between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe. First by creating an elevated viewing platform over the Amur towards Heihe, and second by framing the view from the arrival platform of the cable car back towards the city of Blagoveshchensk.
By offsetting the terminal from the existing boulevard along the river, a welcoming space is created for visitors from Heihe and connections are established between the new natural starting point of the golden mile – a long stretch of golden sand along the river - and the green plateaus of the terminal.
In order to create a cable car system that could land directly into the Golden Mile, it was necessary to raise the platform height. The resulting stepping of the Blagoveshchensk Terminal presents the perfect opportunity to create an Urban Tribune: a new shared urban space that connects the terminal to the existing Blagoveshchensk Cultural Centre on the other side of the esplanade.
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This newly proposed square forms a cultural focal point for Blagoveschensk, connecting the city to the river and upgrading the city with a new space for events and performances. Simultaneously, a pedestrian connection that passes through connects the cultural square with the Golden Mile alongside the river.
The terminal building is shaped as an open and welcoming gesture, allowing visitors to enjoy commercial spaces in one connected movement, with a clear navigational direction towards the departure platforms.
Upon arrival, a similar natural route unfolds, guiding visitors from Heihe along commercial, gastronomic and culture spaces. The building’s internal circulation is reflected on its exterior, thus opening its cultural and commercial programmes towards the public realm of the city of Blagoveshchensk.
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The shape of the building also enables the raising of the park towards the roof of the terminal. Beyond creating a space to greet arriving passengers, or to wave goodbye to those leaving, the terraces and green plateaus act as an elevated urban park, creating a green space for urban arts and sculptures, and viewing points over the whole Golden Mile riverscape.
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The green on the building naturally blends with the park that is proposed for the area between the terminal and river, as well as with the adjacent parking area, which has a green axis that largely hides the parked cars from city views and the boulevard.
Fact File:
Project: Cable Car Terminal Station
Client: Z Development
Architect: UNStudio
Competition Management, formulation economic and functional model: Strelka KB
Building Site: 4.9 hectare
Building Surface: 26,316 sq. m.
Programme: Transportation, Commercial, Cultural
Project Status: Competition 1st Prize
Location: Blagoveshchensk, Russia
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