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.

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.

SAOTA, Silver Pine, Moscow, Russia, 2019. Photo Sergey Ananiev

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.

SAOTA, Silver Pine, Moscow, Russia, 2019. Photo Sergey Ananiev

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. 

Project:
Silver Pine
Architects:
SAOTA
Design team:
Greg Truen, Roxanne Kaye and Philippe Raffner
Interior architecture:
ARRCC
Interior designer:
Max Kasymov e ARRCC
Project menager:
Troy Advisory LLP.
Electrical engineer:
Alexander Boenich
Quantity surveyor :
Alexander Stroikov
Contractor:
Alexander Stroikov
Landscape architect:
Klukva Landscaping
Lighting design:
Kseniya Rudkovskaya   
Bespoke forniture:
Max Kasymov and OKHA
Interior styling :
Natasha Onufreichuk
Location:
Moscow, Russia
Site area:
1,395 smq
Preject area:
1,163 smq
Completion:
2019

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