Uspenska Square in Dnipro Reimagined

presented by Metalco

Dnipro, Ukraine / Architects: Architectural Team of Dmytro Volyk and Ksenia Donetska

Area: 14,500 m²

Photographs: Andrey Avdeenko, Yevhen Savchenko, and Oleg Melnikov

Lead Architects: Dmytro Volyk, Ksenia Donetska

Public squares have historically been gathering places for citizens to meet to engage in community life and socialize. When one of the city’s main squares undergoes architectural decline and loses its traditional function, it becomes necessary to reconstruct it, ensuring it meets the new needs of the citizens and regains its value.

This is exactly what happened with Uspenska Square in Dnipro, one of the city’s oldest squares. Designed in the early 19th century, it was home to the Assumption Cathedral and served as the centre of public life. However, over time, due to various wars and occupations, the square gradually lost its role, and its architecture suffered progressive degradation.

The goal of architects Dmytro Volyk and Ksenia Donetska was to restore the square as a place where citizens could socialize and spend time in a functional, well-equipped environment. The mobility of the area was reorganized with pedestrian connections, prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists. A two-way bike lane was established along the road, and pedestrian crossings were raised to the same level as the sidewalks. Tactile paving was installed in the necessary areas for visually impaired individuals, and pedestrian pathways were highlighted with different types of paving.

The grid formed by these pathways defines four new zones within the square. One side features a children’s play area with three-dimensional rope structures and climbing walls; another area is dedicated to relaxation, with islands of ornamental trees. The remaining zones include a three-level festival terrace and an open space for public events, enhanced by a fountain.

In the evening, the square transforms with architectural lighting. The interplay between the lights and the tree canopies creates patterns of light and shadow. In the relaxation areas, lighting is placed below eye level to ensure comfort.

The architectural team selected Metalco furnishings for the square. Circular wooden seats from the ATOLLO collection were installed in the play and climbing area, while benches from the BAILO collection, made of steel rods, are placed throughout the square and along its perimeters. The metal parts of these collections were painted to match the three-dimensional play structures. Modern SBIN waste bins made of UHPC concrete were strategically distributed across the area, encouraging use and maintaining the square’s cleanliness.

The final result is a square that has reclaimed its importance in the life of the city and its citizens, once again becoming a hub for meeting, socializing, and hosting public events.