Architectural Committee of Azerbaijan, Aghdam, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, March 10, 2023

AIM TEXAS Design Group designed submissions for a Forest and Lake Park accommodating for water flow within the context of demarcating the extents of the Aghdam City, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, and the reconstruction and redevelopment master plan for the city, March 10, 2023.

Forming as a sizable capstone on the new masterplan for the reconstruction of Aghdam, Karabakh, the location of the forest park occupies 124.7 ha of land, forested and to be forested, with a canal passing through the middle. This canal would serve as a good point to form sediment traps, owing to its long run, eventually leading to a formed lake.

The site can be separated into three sections, due to its context being both natural, urban and waterscape. As a result, each of these general areas are connected to each other via a central spine. The entrances to the park mark the urban corners and throughways in the park, which are then utilized by pavilions and shaded plazas.

These entrances are further marked by promenades, pathways, and piers. As a result, the axis of the approaches are preserved and reoriented into the main spine of the site. The circular form of the plazas aid in this reorientation of the axis, as well as integrating the built and natural elements of the park together.

The central spine then diverges into multiple paths that crisscross through the site,  creating smaller ancillary spaces for inhabitation. In cases that warrant the occasion due to panoramic views, proximity to existing program, or needed function; are punctuated by cafes, seating areas, gazebos, pavilions, and other such, more quiet and contemplative spaces.

Utilizing the central connecting spine, the bike paths both serve as cross trails and standard circulation paths. These biking and cross paths are integrated into the gradual slope of the site in order to provide dioramic forest views as well as minimize landscaping needs.

As the forested area expands out to the bounds of the city and is surrounded by urban scape, it is important to preserve the delicate nature of the forest scape while introducing program. Just as well, preserving the natural scape, reforestation, and introducing architectural elements of key places. After which, the forest paths are introduced with vined and covered areas and open air meadows to break the forest scape.

This layered landscape occurs both on natural scale and built scale. Particular care has been taken in studying local endemic flora, including reed lands, bunchgrass types, common flowers in the region such as meadowsweet and Caucasian tulip, as well as trees such as the Eldar Pine, Caucasian Alder, and variety of regional bushes like ruscus Hyrcanus.

These two separated conditions of the urban and natural emanates into the individual design scale as well, where the natural slope is utilized with bio-swales and natural wetland biome, in order aid the natural processes and water retention for tertiary use in irrigation. Thus, by utilizing the natural processes of water filtration and retention, the issues of water drainage and soil health would be addressed sustainably over the long term.

To complete the site, the grilling and picnic zones are nestled in the southeastern portion of the park, where the denser forest opens up into meadows, and eventually into a series of open and closed spaces for family cookouts. These spaces would range from more urban seating and cooking arrangements near the road, to the more natural, and “in situ”, or designed with little intrusion as possible, so as to give a range of spaces.