The project site is located near the city of Samar (Ukraine's Dnipro region), on the banks of the Samara River. What makes this place unique is the river’s winding course, which has shaped a network of peninsulas and inlets throughout the area. The site lies within the Samarski Plavni Regional Landscape Park, a protected territory known for its rich ecosystems and biodiversity.
During research, VKA architects uncovered several distinctive characteristics of the landscape and local context that later became key influences on the project's design →
Located on a dramatic bend of the Samara River, the site is visible from multiple directions and offers long-range views across the landscape, creating a strong visual connection with nature.
The area is home to diverse bird species, including the grey heron, one of the symbols of the local ecosystem. Its image inspired several design elements and sculptural accents throughout the project.
The area is home to diverse bird species, including the grey heron, one of the symbols of the local ecosystem. Its image inspired several design elements and sculptural accents throughout the project.
The winding shape of the river became a key design reference. Building placement and architectural forms follow its flowing geometry, creating a composition that feels shaped by the current itself.
The site contains buildings from different periods and architectural styles. Wood was chosen as a common material language, helping tie them together while reinforcing its identity as a nature-oriented retreat.
The site contains buildings from different periods and architectural styles. Wood was chosen as a common material language, helping tie them together while reinforcing its identity as a nature-oriented retreat.
Approaching from the forest, the building reads as a wall — a linear mass that screens what lies beyond. Then you pass through it, and the river suddenly opens in front of you: wide, luminous, unexpected. All outdoor amenities — terraces, hot tubs, lounging areas, piers — face the river, sheltered on the landward side by the building itself.
The building’s form and facade are inspired by subtle references to Ukrainian vernacular architecture. Its silhouette is defined by four distinctive roof volumes, while the exterior is clad in wooden shingles. As the facade rises, the material gradually transforms into illuminated glass shingles, creating a sense of dematerialization. This facade solution allows the building to blend into its surroundings. Surrounded by forest, the architecture appears to dissolve into the landscape, engaging in a subtle dialogue with the natural context through light, reflections, and transparency.
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At CGIKite, our role was to build a visual storytelling of the project, and we decided to weave elements of Ukrainian culture and local identity into the imagery. Since one of the key goals was to create a destination that remains active throughout the year, we developed scenes that capture the changing seasons and the rituals connected to them.
The transition from winter to spring is reflected through traditions such as Epiphany and Maslenytsia, showing how the landscape becomes a stage for community life across the seasons. To emphasize the vast open character of the site, we introduced the stork — a symbolic inhabitant of the landscape park and an important figure in Ukrainian folklore. Evening scenes reveal the atmosphere of the project after sunset, while mist rising above the river adds a layer of mystery inspired by local legends, recalling stories of mavkas and other water spirits.
For one of the scenes, we chose the transition from winter to spring through the Maslenitsa ritual — the traditional burning of the effigy, a symbolic farewell to winter and a welcome to warmth, light, and new beginnings.
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3D Visualizations were not a part of the original scope. VKA Architects decided to add them on their own initiative because they felt the project needed an additional source of momentum and conviction. At the conceptual stage, that kind of energy is crucial. Strong visualizations help carry a project through the inevitable challenges, revisions, and uncertainties that arise over a long development process.
When architects presented our images to the client, the response exceeded our expectations. They immediately connected with the vision and became even more committed to bringing the project to life. Visual Storytelling strengthened their confidence in the concept and reinforced their determination to see it realized, despite the significant investment required.
"Lake Park Spa Complex" emerged through a close dialogue between architecture and visual storytelling. VKA Architects created architecture that is deeply rooted in the site's landscape and identity. At CGIKite, we translated it into a 3D visualization, capturing the aesthetics and character of the region through this project.