Kola Bay Lighthouse Viewpoint / Evgeny Makarenko Timber Architecture Workshop

Architects: Evgeny Makarenko Timber Architecture Workshop
Year: 2025
Photography: Alexey Arushanyan, Alexey Malenchik, Tatiana Okuneva
Lead Architects: Evgeny Makarenko
Architects Team: Alexey Ushakov
3D Visualization: Sergey Serov
Structural Engineering: Oleg Lelyuk (Timber Structural Engineer), Pavel Zhadinsky (Concrete Structural Engineer)
Client: Murmansk Regional Government
Materials: Timber, Concrete
City: Murmansk
Country: Russia

Located on a hillside overlooking Kola Bay in Murmansk, the Kola Bay Lighthouse Viewpoint introduces a contemporary public destination that enhances access to the waterfront while respecting the region’s distinctive Arctic landscape. Developed for the Murmansk Regional Government as part of the Living in the North program, the project combines recreation, observation, and environmental sensitivity within a compact timber structure inspired by the area’s industrial heritage. Its silhouette recalls the port cranes and coastal lighthouses that define the bay, while refined proportions and natural materials reinterpret these familiar forms at a human scale. Sophisticated timber joinery minimizes the use of metal fasteners, improving durability in severe northern conditions and reinforcing the project’s sustainable construction approach. Landscaped pathways organize visitor circulation to protect fragile Arctic mosses while supporting year-round use through terraces, seating areas, and elevated viewpoints that frame panoramic views across the bay, creating a new civic landmark that connects architecture, nature, and the identity of Murmansk’s waterfront.

Kola bay lighthouse viewpoint / evgeny makarenko timber architecture workshop

Perched above the shoreline and only a short walk from a residential neighborhood, the observation deck establishes a new civic presence without overwhelming its natural surroundings. Rather than functioning solely as an overlook, the intervention redefines an underutilized hillside as a destination where residents can gather, pause, and engage with the expansive landscape. Its elevated position allows the structure to become a recognizable landmark across the bay, contributing a contemporary architectural identity to an area historically shaped by maritime industry and infrastructure.

The project’s architectural expression draws directly from the industrial vocabulary of Murmansk’s harbor. The angular forms of cranes, navigation towers, and lighthouse structures are distilled into a sculptural timber composition that balances strength with warmth. Instead of replicating industrial machinery, the design transforms these familiar references into a welcoming public pavilion whose scale and materiality encourage close interaction. The result is an architectural language that acknowledges regional history while presenting it through a contemporary lens.

Timber is both the defining material and the principal structural system of the project. Advanced wood joinery techniques enable the pavilion to be assembled with minimal reliance on metal fasteners, reflecting a careful integration of craftsmanship and engineering. This approach improves long-term resilience in the demanding Arctic climate while emphasizing the environmental advantages of timber construction. The material’s natural texture also softens the pavilion’s geometric form, creating a visual contrast with the surrounding industrial landscape and reinforcing a closer relationship between architecture and nature.

The observation deck is organized to support a variety of experiences throughout the year. A sheltered lower level with benches and an open terrace provides comfortable places to enjoy the limited northern sunlight, while the upper platform offers unobstructed panoramic views across Kola Bay. Thoughtful details further enrich the public experience, including a small tower where pets can safely wait for their owners, demonstrating how practical amenities can be seamlessly integrated into the architectural concept without detracting from its clarity.

Equally important is the project’s ecological strategy, which recognizes the sensitivity of the hillside environment. Carefully planned circulation routes concentrate pedestrian movement and minimize disturbance to the fragile Arctic moss ecosystem, allowing increased public access while preserving the site’s natural character. Through this balance of environmental stewardship, durable timber construction, and a design rooted in local identity, the Kola Bay Lighthouse Viewpoint demonstrates how a modest architectural intervention can strengthen public life while becoming a lasting symbol of Murmansk’s evolving relationship with its waterfront.