Nestled among pine forests on a small island in the Moskva River, which flows through Moscow with three bends, SAOTA designs a private house, trying to impose itself as a note of rupture from the surrounding context. Despite the relatively isolated location from the metropolitan context, the main challenge of the South African studio was to mediate between the architectural tradition of the capital and the precious natural heritage of the island.
A sculptural luxury villa in the historical center of Moscow
South African firm SAOTA designs a private residence that dialogues on the one hand with the architectural tradition of the Russian capital, and on the other with the site’s landscape heritage.
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
Photo Sergey Ananiev
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- Romina Totaro
- 13 October 2021
- Moscow, Russia
- SAOTA
- 1,163 smq
- private residence
- 2019
The street-facing elevation is heavy and protective, echoing the monolithic character of Moscow’s architecture yet providing shelter from the hot summers and cold winters. Here, the entrance is celebrated by a volume clad in perforated bronze panels and backlit, inviting residents inside with warm light and hinting at the lush interiors. The rear garden elevation in the counterpoint is light and modern, stretched toward the pine forest by plastically extruded roof planes.
The aesthetic characterization of the architecture is also based on the expressive power of contrast: the heavy presence of the metal panel facade dialogues with the opulent interiors, detailed by exotic marbles, some backlit, and wooden surfaces that bring softness and warmth. Amidst the glitz of the furnishings, a swirling sculptural staircase contrasts with angular architectural elements that characterize the second-floor spaces, delineating a change in character from the more public and sociable living space on the ground floor.
- Silver Pine
- SAOTA
- Greg Truen, Roxanne Kaye and Philippe Raffner
- ARRCC
- Max Kasymov e ARRCC
- Troy Advisory LLP.
- Alexander Boenich
- Alexander Stroikov
- Alexander Stroikov
- Klukva Landscaping
- Kseniya Rudkovskaya
- Max Kasymov and OKHA
- Natasha Onufreichuk
- Moscow, Russia
- 1,395 smq
- 1,163 smq
- 2019