По-русски

​The Warm Glow

Neatly inscribed into a “sleeping belt” residential area of Saint Petersburg, this riverside hotel at the same time claims the status of a landmark that gives this place a taste of reserved yet nonetheless sophisticated architecture.

Alyona Kuznetsova

Written by:
Alyona Kuznetsova
Translated by:
Anton Mizonov

22 July 2019
Object
mainImg
Architect:
Anatoly Stolyarchuk
Firm:
​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio


The 3-star hotel with 350 rooms will be built at the city’s southern suburb, not far away from the “Prospect Veteranov” metro station. The place is quite pleasant: the green bank of the Novaya River, and a church (still in construction) standing across from it. The opposite bank is occupied by residential houses, and, as for the future hotel, it will be built in the same city block with the “Tallinsky” shopping mall and a fitness center. Together, these projects will form a patch of public functions, which the hotel is meant to further augment and develop to whatever extent it can because it is planned that its bottom floors will host shops, cafes, and a fitness center as well.



The land site is rather convenient, its plan being close to the perfect square, a small part of which is a water protection zone. On the other hand, it is situated almost on the very bank of the river, which allowed the architects to propose, in addition to the hotel project, a few ideas of organizing the waterfront area – green slopes, boat ramps, new trees, and new pavement instead of the existing lawn with a single string of trees. The new little park will be meant to mark the place where the hotel guests can go for walks, at the same time attracting the local people to the area of shops and cafes, thus helping to develop the local businesses on this separately taken and comparatively small land site.



Tracing the territory’s perimeter, the architects design a driveway; the rectangle of the main part is occupied by a podium resting on a single-tier underground parking garage, from which, in turn, two high-rise slabs of the hotel shoot up, united by one common nucleus of engineering lines but shifted in respect to one another: one closer to the river, the other farther away from it, which on the plan looks like a stylized blitz of lightning.

Thanks to this, the building gets extra plastique, and a possibility to visually relieve its bulk by means of separating the two volumes, at the same time responding to the context: the Soviet pink-brick buildings standing alongside the Stachek Avenue are lined up here like a long “saw”, and the shift in the hotel building is also an interpretation of this technique that starts a dialogue with the surroundings. 

The “saw” of 1970 houses on the Veteranov Avenue:




Probably the most interesting part of the project, however, is the plinth. First of all, interpreting, to a certain extent, the modern classics in the vein of David Chipperfield, it unites the two lower tiers situated on the side of the shopping mall, with a tall – almost 9 meters high – ethereal-looking gallery. Both hotel tiers on this side host cafes and shops, and the presence of the gallery is functionally motivated. Generally, if we are to close our eyes to the unassuming appearance of the neighboring “Tallinsky” shopping mall, one can safely say that a whole city market square appears here, the height of the covered promenade and the exquisite proportions of the pylonnade adding to the grandeur and setting the tone, as if calling on to the surrounding buildings to straighten up and become more upbeat.



The façades of the plinth itself continue the theme set by the gallery: they are dissected with a grid of light-colored pillars and intermediate floors that casually “holds” large glass surfaces interpreting the volume of the podium as a slender and dainty framework. It turns out that the building is not without a “hovering” effect, yet at the same time it has its “feet” firmly planted on the ground. What is still more interesting, however, is the fact that the plinth, although generally rectangular, sprouts a few branches, which makes it asymmetrical, and the whole composition becomes quite an amusing sight to see. These “protuberances”, unlike the main structure and the gallery, are denser, with narrow slits and wide pylons.

On the riverside, the main entrance is situated, covered by a cantilevered structure that gives shelter from the rain for the taxis with the guests (since the height is 9 meters, even a double decker bus can safely drive in here). The ledge in the northern part, at the side end of the hotel, provides driving access, and there is a tier of shops above. The south ledge, on the other hand, which is on the side end facing the avenue, carries some of the weight of the slab of the hotel – thus, the volumes not exactly grow up from the podium, it’s much more complex, the theme of the zigzagged shift is developed, and the building behaves in a rather relaxed way, which adds to the overall dynamics, and makes the picture more interesting. To some extent, all these galleries and ledges, in spite of their pristine geometry and immaculate facets, looks like the roots of this building, like it’s some sort of a giant tropical tree. One way or another, they do a lot to form the space on the level of the human perception, creating around the hotel an impression of a developed city space. 



It is planned that the plinth’s roof will be green and usable: this is not just a way to get extra floor space and a point of attraction but also to improve the window views of those hotel rooms that do not overlook the river. Extra emergency exits are also situated here.



The façade is subjugated to the same fine faceting as the plinth but here the system is livened up by diagonals placed in a staggered order: following this pattern, a pair of glazed stanzas alternates with cavities that sport yellow splays, which, thanks to the ceramics, brass, and backlighting, glow with a warm light, looking like inclusions of precious stones, or maybe the light of a fireplace, or maybe slices of rock formation with streaks of copper or gold inside. This technique is peculiar and very cozy – it clearly indicates that we are seeing a place where one can take a rest and get warm, working with a warm window effect on a city night, with all the other attributes of home and peace. The effect is partially visible in the daylight as well – the whole building is permeated with yellowish inclusions, which are also present in the plinth.  

One must recognize that this “chessboard” geometry becomes characteristic for Anatoly Stolyarchuk – we can see a similar solution in the house on the Prilukskaya Street and in the multifunctional complex on the Sofiyskaya Street. 



The height of the towers is the maximum allowed 55 meters, which is a bit lower than the nearby housing project on the Veteranov Avenue, standing across from the future hotel. Anatoly Stolyarchuk admits that the project could better if the towers were of different height. However, in order to do that, the company had to either sacrifice the square meters or brace itself for a time-consuming procedure of obtaining all the respective permissions.

The project turned out to be “well-balanced and elegant” – these are the words that the experts of the city planning council use the most often when they discuss the sketch boards submitted by Anatoly Stoltarchuk studio. The new building matches the height of its surroundings, as well as their functions, and even their techniques of volumetric design, honestly meeting all the requirements and demonstrating a thought-out façade pattern not devoid of a certain amount of emotionality. This injection of new architecture to the sleeping belt area turns out to be painless, yet effective: the building sets a new approach and rhythm; after its appearance, one will hardly be able to build here in the vein of “Tallinsky”, in any case.
zooming
3-star mixed-use hotel complex
Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
zooming
3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Location plan
Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    1 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    2 / 7
    3-star hotel on the Veteranov avenue
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    3 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Plan at 0.000 elevation
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    4 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Plan at +5.100 elevation
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    5 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Plan of the usable roof
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    6 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Plan of the standard floor
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    7 / 7
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Section view
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    1 / 5
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    2 / 5
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    3 / 5
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    4 / 5
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    5 / 5
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    1 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    2 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    3 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    1 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    2 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    3 / 3
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    1 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    2 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    3 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    4 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    5 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex. Facades
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio
  • zooming
    6 / 6
    3-star mixed-use hotel complex
    Copyright: © ​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio


Architect:
Anatoly Stolyarchuk
Firm:
​Anatoly Stolyarchuk Architectural Studio

22 July 2019

Alyona Kuznetsova

Written by:

Alyona Kuznetsova
Translated by:
Anton Mizonov
Headlines now
Object
​The Eastern Frontier
“The Eastern Arc” is one of the main land resources of Kazan’s development, concentrated in the hands of a single owner. The Genplan Institute of Moscow has developed a concept for the integrated development of this territory based on an analytical transport model that will create a comfortable living environment, new centers of attraction, and new workplaces as well.
Object
A School of Our Time
On the eve of the presentation of the new book by ATRIUM, dedicated to the design of schools and other educational facilities, based on the architects’ considerable experience, as well as expert judgments, we are examining the Quantum STEM school building, constructed according to their project in Astana. Furthermore, this building is planned to be the first one to start a new chain. The architects designed it in full accordance with modern standards but sometimes they did break away from them – only to confirm the general development rules. For example, there are two amphitheaters in the atrium, and there is an artificial hill in the yard that is meant to make the flat terrain of the Kazakhstan steppe more eventful.
Object
The Fluffy Space
Designing the passenger terminal of the Orenburg airport, ASADOV architects continue to explore the space theme that they first introduced in Saratov and Kemerovo airports. At the same time, the architects again combine the global and the local, reflecting topics inspired by the local conceptual context. In this case, the building is “covered” by an Orenburg downy shawl – an analogy that is recognizable enough, yet not literal; some will see the reference and some won’t.
Object
The White Fitness Center
The white health and fitness center, designed by Futura Architects at the entrance to St. Petersburg’s New Piter residential complex, provides the developing area not only with functional but also with sculptural diversity, livening up the rows of the brick city blocks with the whiteness of its seamless facades, cantilevered structures, and dynamic inclined lines.
Contest Results
The New Dawn
In their project of a technology park to be built on the grounds of “Integrated Home-Building Factory 500” in Tyumen Oblast – the biggest in Russia – the HADAA architects preserve not just the industrial function of the giant hangar built in the late 1980s and 90% of its structures, but also respond to its imagery. They also propose a “gradient” approach to developing the available areas: from open public ones to staff-only professional spaces. The goal of this approach is to turn the technology park into the driver for developing the business function between the industrial zones and the future residential area in accordance with the Integrated Land Development program.
News
​Tame Hills for New Residents
T+T Architects have reported that they have completed the landscaping project for the yard of the first stage of Alexandrovsky Garden housing complex in Ekaterinburg – the landscape complements the contextual architecture, tailored for the buyers’ preferences and downtown standards, with bold neo modernist master strokes and lush and diverse vegetation.
Object
The Crystal of the City Block
The typology and plastique of large housing complexes move with the times, and you can sometimes find new subtleties in the scope of seemingly familiar solutions. The Sky Garden complex combines two well-known themes, forming a giant residential area consisting of tall slender towers, placed at the perimeter of a large yard, in which a crossroads of two pedestrian promenades is “dissolved”.
Object
Sunshine, Air, and Water
The construction of the “Solnechny” (“Sunny”) summer camp, designed by ARENA project institute, has been completed, the largest summer camp within the legendary Artek seaside resort for children. It was conceived still in Soviet time, but it was not implemented. The modern version surprises you with sophisticated engineering solutions that are combined with a clear-cut structure: together, they generate Asher-esque spaces.
Object
​Art Deco at the Edge of Space
The competition project by Stepan Liphart – a high-end residential complex executed in a reserved classicist style in close proximity to the Kaluga Space Museum – responds equally well to the context and to the client’s brief. It is moderately respectable, moderately mobile and transparent, and it even digs a little into the ground to comply with strict height restrictions, without losing proportions and scale.
Object
Going, Going, Gone!
The housing complex “Composers’ Residences” has been built in accordance with the project by Sergey Skuratov, who won the international competition back in 2011. It all began from the image search and “cutting off all spare”, and then implementing the recognizable Skuratov architecture. It all ended, however, in tearing down the buildings of the Schlichterman factory, whose conservation was stipulated by all the appropriate agencies prior to approving Skuratov’s project. This story seems to be educational and important for understanding the history of all the eleven years, during which the complex was designed and built.
Object
The Life of Iron
The building of the Vyksa Metallurgy Museum, designed by Nikita Yavein and Sergey Padalko, provides for the natural aging of metal – it is planned that the iron will gradually rust – at the same time utilizing the advanced type of construction, based on metal’s ability to stretch. The building will be constructed from pipes and rolled steel supplied by OMK company, as well as from recycled bricks.
Object
​And the Brook is Flowing
ASADOV Architects have designed a master plan for developing a residential area at the outskirts of Kaliningrad: a regular grid of housing blocks is enriched by large-scale public facilities, the main “artery” of the new area being the fortification channel that regains its original function.
Object
Off We Go!
The new terminal of the Tomsk airport is being designed by ASADOV bureau. The architects keep on developing its identity, building the imagery upon the inventions of Nikolai Kamov, whose name the airport bears. The result is laconic, light, and, as always, levitating.
Object
Maximum Flexibility
The Multispace Dinamo, which recently opened within the Arena business center, is an example of a project that is entirely based upon cutting-edge approaches and technologies. It is managed via a mobile application, special software was created for it, and the spaces are not just multifunctional but carefully mixed up, like some kind of jigsaw puzzle that allows the office workers to mix their working routine for better efficiency.
Object
A Factory’s Path
Last week, the new center for constructivist studies “Zotov” hosted its first exhibition named “1922. Constructivism. The Inception”. The idea of creating this center belongs to Sergey Tchoban, while the project of the nearest houses and adjusting the building of the bread factory for the new museum function was done by the architect in collaboration with his colleagues from SPEECH. We decided that such a complex project should be examined in its entirety – and this is how we came up with this long-read about constructivism on Presnya, conservation, innovation, multilayered approach, and hope.
Object
The Savelovsky Axis
The business center, situated right in the middle of a large city junction next to the Savelovsky Railway Station takes on the role of a spatial axis, upon which the entire place hinges: it spins like a spiral, alternating perfect glass of the tiers and deep recessions of inter-tier floors that conceal little windows invented by the architects. It is sculptural, and it claims the role of a new city landmark, in spite of its relatively small height of nine floors.
Overview
Parametric Waves
In the housing complex Sydney City, which FSK Group is building in the area of Shelepikhinskaya Embankment, Genpro designed the central city block, combining parametric facades and modular technology within its architecture.
Object
The Multitone
The new interior of the Action Development headquarters can be regarded as an attempt to design the perfect “home” for the company – not just comfortable but broadcasting the values of modern development. It responds to the context, yet it is built on contrast, it is fresh but cozy, it is dynamic, yet it invites you to relax – everything of this coexists here quite harmoniously, probably because the architects found an appropriate place for each of the themes.
View
Refinement No Longer Relevant
A few days ago journalists were shown the building of Bread Factory #5, renovated upon the project by Sergey Tchoban. In this issue, we are publishing Grigory Revzin’s thoughts about this project.
Object
The Comb of Strelna
In this issue, we are taking a close look at the project that won the “Crystal Daedalus” award – the “Veren Village” housing complex in Strelna, designed by Ostozhenka. Its low-rise format became a trigger for typological and morphological experiments – seemingly, we are seeing recognizable trends, yet at the same time there are a multitude of subtleties that are a pleasure to go into. Having studied this project in detail, we think that the award is well-deserved.
Object
A Tectonic Shift
For several years now, Futura Architects have been working with the “New Peter” residential area in the south of St. Petersburg. In this article, we are covering their most recent project – a house, in which the architects’ architectural ideas peacefully coexist with the limitations of comfort-class housing, producing a “multilayered” effect that looks very attractive for this typology.
Report
Three “Green” Stories
In this issue, we are examining three environmental urban projects showcased by the Genplan Institute of Moscow at the Zodchestvo festival. The scale of the projects is really diverse: from gathering information and suggestions from the residents on a city scale to growing meadow grass between houses to paintings, which, as it turned out, possess power to cure trees, healing their wounded bark. + a list of kinds of plants natural for Moscow to help the developer.
News
​The Slabs of Bagration
The construction of a new skyscraper designed by SPEECH within the complex of Moscow City has been announced. A keen observer may see in it: Moscow high-rises, Chicago architecture, Malevich architecton, and an attempt of deconstruction of the integral image of the Moscow skyscraper – a technique that has been actively employed by the architects in their recent works.
Object
​Preserving the History of Clean Ponds
How do you make a comfortable high-end residential complex that meets the modern requirements for expensive downtown housing, and keep as much of the original 1915 building as possible? Ilia Utkin, together with Sminex, solved this charade for Potapovsky Lane, 5 – here is how.
Object
​Living in a Forest
The apartment complex in Roshchino, designed by GAFA architects, looks very much like a glamping: the residents enjoy the untouched nature of the Karelian isthmus, while having urban amenities and opportunities for social life.
Object
A Laboratory for Life
The building of the Laboratory of Oncomorphology and Molecular Genetics, designed by the author team headed by Ilya Mashkov (Mezonproject) uses the benefits of the natural context and offers space for cutting-edge research, both doctor- and patient-friendly.
Object
The Logic of Life
The light installation, designed by Andrey Perlach in the atrium of Moscow's Federation Tower, balances on the edge between a mathematical order of construction and the diversity of perception when viewed from different angles.
Interview
An Architect in a Metaverse
In this interview, we talked to the participants of the festival of creative industries G8 about why metaverses are our tomorrow’s everyday routine, and how architects can already influence it today.
Object
Three in One
The house on Telezhnaya Street, designed by Evgeny Gerasimov and Partners, located just a couple of steps away from the Nevsky Prospect, can be visually divided into three independent entities. By doing this, the architects keep up the scale of the historical street and overcome the challenges posed by a stretching land site.