A recreational complex is a group of buildings and spaces with different functions that interact within a single territory.
Accommodation and dining areas, sports and wellness facilities, water features, public spaces and private areas — each functional zone has its own scenario, but all of them must work as a single spatial system. Their interaction with one another and with the natural environment creates a holistic experience, providing conditions for recreation and restoration.
In our practice, we work with recreational projects of different scales — from individual facilities to comprehensive territory development.
Our clients come to recreational architecture with different backgrounds. Some already operate in hospitality and recreation and understand their audience, business scale and needs. Others have established businesses in different fields and consider recreation as a new direction.
In such projects, we help define the format of the future complex, its functions and use scenarios, taking into account the characteristics of the territory and the client’s objectives.
In each case, we combine the client’s experience with our expertise in architecture and the creation of recreational environments.
HOW WE WORK WITH RECREATIONAL PROJECTS
The process begins with an analysis of the territory and its potential. We consider the terrain, natural surroundings, water features, existing buildings, accessibility and functional limitations of the site.
Based on this analysis, we define functional zoning, the location of primary and auxiliary facilities, vehicular and pedestrian connections, recreational areas and public spaces.
In this context, the master plan becomes the foundation that defines the relationship between all components of the future complex.
Often, clients come to us with a site they have already acquired, where buildings and structures are already present. In such cases, we first analyse their condition, location and compatibility with the future concept of the complex.
Together with the client, we determine what should be preserved, reconstructed, remodelled or expanded, and what should be dismantled and replaced with new facilities.
It is important to us that individual buildings do not exist independently of one another. Their location, orientation, connections between them and relationship with the landscape must work as a single system.
Therefore, each site may have several development scenarios, depending on its characteristics, existing buildings, project objectives and the client’s needs.
We approach the territory as a whole, looking for the most appropriate development scenario — from preserving and adapting existing facilities to complete redevelopment or phased expansion of the complex.
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EXPERIENCE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TERRITORIES
Over the years, we have worked with territories of different character and conditions, each requiring an individual approach to design.
Our practice includes complex waterfront sites, including territories at risk of flooding. In such projects, potential scenarios and appropriate engineering and planning solutions need to be considered from the early planning stages: water levels, shoreline protection measures and the specific operational requirements of the territory.
For floating buildings, the possibility of relocating them within the water area is also taken into account. Depending on their design and operating conditions, such structures can be transported to a location for repairs or maintenance and, when necessary, relocated to another part of the water area.
We have also worked with territories located near protected natural areas, where the placement of buildings requires particular attention to the natural environment and the functional purpose of each part of the site.
Another area of our experience is sites with complex terrain. Here, buildings are positioned not only according to functional logic but also with consideration of key viewpoints — what a person sees while moving through different parts of the territory.
Recreational complexes also differ in their purpose and target audience. Some are designed for large visitor flows, where openness, clear navigation and accessibility of key functions are essential.
In other cases, such as recreation facilities for corporate clients, the same functions are organised for a smaller number of people, with a different level of privacy and a more intimate character of the space.
Therefore, we do not use a single model for all recreational facilities. Solutions depend on the natural conditions of the territory, its scale, the purpose of the complex, the number of visitors and the scenarios of its use.
It is precisely the diversity of territories, natural conditions and formats that shapes our practical experience in recreational architecture.
GEOGRAPHY OF OUR EXPERIENCE
In Ukraine, we have designed 18 recreational facilities.
Our experience covers different regions of Ukraine — from the Kyiv region and Polissia to the Carpathians and the Black Sea coast.
