Project: Time Square Residential Complex
Architecture: KPLN architectural bureau
Team: Sergey Nikeshkin, Evgeny Zhelezko, Konstantin Kuznetsov, Anastasia Nesterkina, Maria Surova, Julia Abdaladze
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
Year: 2025
Photo Credits: Ivan Smelov
Time Square residential complex sits in the pristine Primorsky district of St. Petersburg. Overlooking Yuntolovsky Forest Park and the Gulf of Finland, its 13 buildings form a giant clock face seen from above. Consequently, each of the 12 perimeter towers represents an hour, while the contrasting central tower marks the intersection of its hands. Designed by KPLN, the ensemble celebrates the passage of time through architecture, geometry, and landscape.
Architecture That Tells Time
Firstly, the 12 outer buildings rise 13 stories along the site’s edge, creating a stepped, dynamic silhouette. Meanwhile, the central “hour-hand” tower stands out with a distinct finish that contrasts its neighbors. Between two of the taller blocks, a two-story volume houses a 100-child kindergarten. Below, a unifying stylobate features arched entrances leading into the courtyard and 1,960 m² of street-level shops. Moreover, asymmetrically placed windows and a mix of deep graphite and calm gray clinker tiles add expressiveness and a sense of movement to the façades.
A Clockwork Landscape
Beyond the buildings, landscaping reinforces the clock motif in three narratives: time of day, seasons, and life stages. For instance, the Sun courtyard unfolds as a radiating dial, where playgrounds connect children, teens, and adults—symbolizing generational ties. By contrast, the Moon courtyard mirrors half of the Sun’s form, creating a more intimate retreat. Elsewhere, art installations shaped like clocks dot the grounds, while year-round plantings—led by evergreen conifers—ensure visual interest through all seasons. Notably, the raised 1.8 m sills on the first residential floor preserve privacy without sacrificing daylight or views.
Together, these elements make Time Square residential complex more than a place to live. Instead, it becomes a poetic reminder of life’s rhythms, set against one of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful natural backdrops.
