as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park

integrated benches provide a place to pause while overlooking the wider landscape.

Elize Ross edited by christina vergopoulou July 11, 2026 4 min

A Wooden Gateway Frames Views Along an ecological Trail

Designed by CUBE+ Creative Collective, Propylaea ‘Protivo Stoyanie’ (‘Counter-Standing’) is a wooden landscape structure located along the Galich Zaōzerye ecological trail in Russia’s Kostroma Region. Completed in 2025 as part of the Summer Drevolution’25 architectural workshop, the project marks the entrance to an open-air architectural park while transforming a transit route into a place for orientation, rest, and observation.

Positioned at the boundary between forest and field on one of the site’s highest points, the structure functions as an entrance marker, viewing device, and spatial transition between two contrasting landscapes. Its title, ‘Protivo Stoyanie’ (‘Counter-Standing’), refers to the two identical elements facing one another, the dialogue between architecture and nature, and the relationship between contemporary design and the area’s historical context.

The installation consists of two timber structures positioned opposite each other. Approaching from the forest, visitors pass through a sequence of information panels and viewfinders that frame specific landmarks within the surrounding architectural park. From the field side, integrated benches provide a place to pause while overlooking the wider landscape. Together, these elements direct attention toward individual destinations while also framing panoramic views across the site.

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 1 — all images courtesy of CUBE+ Creative Collective

a Timber Structure Designed to Age with the forest Landscape

A defining feature of the project by CUBE+ Creative Collective is its reinterpretation of regional ornament. The vertical timber surfaces incorporate a contemporary version of a carved motif traditionally found on historic wooden window frames in Galich, known locally as the ‘frog’s foot.’ Rather than functioning as decoration, the pattern establishes a connection between the new intervention and the region’s architectural heritage, craft traditions, and visual identity.

The propylaea were constructed under the constraints of the Summer Drevolution’25 workshop, including a limited construction period, a restricted timber supply, and a design process closely integrated with manual fabrication. The timber was intentionally left untreated, without oil or varnish, allowing the material to weather naturally over time through exposure to rain, snow, wind, and sunlight.

By framing views, organizing movement along the trail, and referencing local cultural traditions, Counter-Standing functions as both a landscape intervention and a wayfinding element. The project establishes a recognizable entrance to the architectural park while interpreting the site’s landscape, route, and historical ornament through a contemporary architectural language.

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 2 — detail of the carved wooden ornament, developed from a historical Galich window-frame motif

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 3 — the bench and layered wooden frame create a place for rest, observation, and contemplation

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 4 — viewfinders are integrated into the structure to connect the propylaea with distant objects of the surrounding park

cube-plus-creative-collective-propylaea-protivo-stoyanie-counter-standing-wooden-landscape-gateway-ecological-trail-russia-designboom-1800-1 — general view of the Propylaea ‘Protivo Stoyanie’ in the Galich Zaōzerye landscape

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 5 — historical reference, rubbings, and sketch material transform a wooden ornament into the project’s graphic language

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 6 — comparison of the vertical wooden element in different seasonal conditions, showing the natural ageing

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 7 — winter view of Propylaea, showing the object as a year-round landmark in the open landscape

as contemporary propylaea, twin timber gateways frame this open-air architectural park - 8 — models explore the two-part composition, the entrance condition, and the object’s relationship with the landscape

technical drawings, exploded axonometric diagram, and section explain the construction and spatial scenario exploratory sketches tracing the development of the structure, the route logic, and key spatial ideas trail map and sightline diagram showing the position of the propylaea within the Galich Zaōzerye route and archipark

project info:

name: Propylaea ‘Protivo Stoyanie’ / ‘Counter-Standing’
designer: CUBE+ Creative Collective

lead designers: Elizaveta Ross, Tatyana Gudkova

design team: Kirill Gilyov, Alexey Bespalov, Daria Tikhonova, Ekaterina Knyazeva, Valeria Lubskikh, Matvey Gudkov

consultant: Nikolay Belousov

location: Galich Zaōzerye ecological trail, Kostroma Region, Russia

materials: wood, metal information panels, metal supports

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