SILVER PINE

Photography by Sergey Ananiev

In the Russian capital of Moscow, SAOTA, a South African architecture studio known for advancing the possibilities of 20th-century modernism, designed a house with a revolutionary outward looking approach to the city' s architectural tradition.

Nestled between the pine woods on an island in the Moskva River, this contemporary home represents the tradition of the terrace with its Nemphasis on an outdoor orientation.

Glazing systems have advanced to a point where they can effectively provide insulation in the Russian winter extremes, which solved the climate challenge. The real challenge was to mediate a dialogue between the two traditions to resolve the new approach harmoniously in the Russian context. The design addresses the urban architectural character of the capital city and the pocket of natural pine forest on the island, something of a rarity this close to the historic centre. The pinewoods that the site overlooks are thus a significant motivation for the design's open, outwardfacing orientation. This approach allowed SAOTA to explore a new kind of architecture that invites as much natural light as possible during the dark winter months to compensate for the lack of sun and mitigating its absence. It's a design that makes comfortable spaces to appreciate the external conditions beauty, harsh as they may be. The architectural premise is one of contrasts: the street frontage's heavy protective presence speaks to the capital's monolithic architectural character, built to resist the extremes of heat and cold, which can vary 70 degrees between seasons. Thus, the public character of the house provides a contemporary interpretation of the city's architectural character. Around the main entrance is a sculptural buckle.

From the garden, the architecture presents a contrasting façade. Open fragmented glass walls invite views of the pines in, blurring the distinction between what's inside or outside. The outdoor terraces and the faceted, angular façade create courtyards and external rooms that facilitate an interaction between landscape and architecture that is a departure from the local tradition.

In winter, the interiors can celebrate the beauty of the snowy landscape and pines in an altogether new approach to the harsh conditions. SAOTA used a silver-grey metal cladding on the exterior that complements and enhances the green of the plants and trees of the surrounding forest, providing an immersive landscape experience. The facade takes on the quality of natural material itself, highlighting a bespoke crafted quality in its detailing that speaks to the unique tailor-made approach to the house's design and furnishing, especially in the interior design.

In dining zone there are OKHA’s pieces as the Tofu dining chairs, even if here the eye immediately falls on the majestic chandelier above the table. Next to it we find the marble kitchen island accompanied by Frame barstools while the rest of the kitchen is hidden behind doors along the entire wall.

A black swirling sculptural staircase contrasts playfully with the angular architectural elements where they converge, resolving them in an organic flourish and signaling a subtle change of character between the more public sociable living space on the ground level and the bedrooms upstairs. Softer, warmer materials predominate the night area.

The villa’s overall experience suggests that SAOTA has mediated a new relationship between Russian domestic architecture and its landscape and climate. The modern villa's life-enhancing potential, realised in more temperate climates, made possible in this more extreme setting.