Small Architectural Forms and Pavilions as Elements of Climatic and Social Adaptation of Northern Park Spaces

Abstract

The relevance of the article lies in the fact that, in northern conditions, park spaces are constantly exposed to low temperatures, strong winds, drifting snow, and a lack of daylight, which makes conventional landscaping approaches insufficient. Against this background, small architectural forms and pavilions begin to perform not only a utilitarian but also an environment-forming function. The purpose of the article is to determine their role as elements of climatic and social adaptation in northern park spaces. The materials used include Russian and international publications on the architectural environment of the North, the adaptation of architectural systems to extreme conditions, the organization of public spaces in cold climates, and wind protection measures. The study employs comparative, typological, and environmental methods, which made it possible to examine the form of these objects, their degree of openness, the presence of buffer spaces, wind protection, lighting, and their relationship to routes and patterns of human use within the park. The results show that small architectural forms and pavilions provide local protection from wind and precipitation, create intermediate zones between open space and places of short-term stay, and support scenarios of waiting, rest, and meeting. The most effective solutions are compact and streamlined forms, semi-enclosed structures, local wind-protective elements, well-designed lighting, and the integration of such objects into a system of routes and attraction points. The conclusions of the article show that small architectural forms and pavilions act as one of the key tools for shaping a resilient park environment in the North, since they simultaneously contribute to climatic protection, spatial legibility, and the maintenance of public activity during the cold season.