По-русски

Above the Golden Horn

The residential complex “Philosophy” designed by T+T architects in Vladivostok, is one of the new projects in the “Golubinaya Pad” area, changing its development philosophy (pun intended) from single houses to a comprehensive approach. The buildings are organized along public streets, varying in height and format, with one house even executed in gallery typology, featuring a cantilever leaning on an art object.

01 July 2024
Object
mainImg
Vladivostok is undergoing intense construction and renewal, and the “Philosophy” residential complex is not Sergey Trukhanov’s first project in this city. It is also not the first experience for T+T Architects in creating a comfortable urban environment on challenging terrain, adhering to all architectural and urban planning parameters, ranging from small scale (boulevard and landscaping, shops on the ground floor, and art objects in pedestrian spaces) to large scale (silhouette, varying heights, choreography of pauses, balance between dominants and small volumes, coherence and discreteness, diversity of facades).

All of what I’ve just mentioned is present in the project, but let’s start with the location. The area known as “Golubinaya Pad” is one of the oldest in the city, located just a kilometer away from the historical center, and only 40 meters higher than it. The area is actively being renovated: it awaits “comprehensive renovation”, but already among industrial zones and low-rise buildings, several new 25-story residential towers of various designs have been built.

The “Philosophy” residential complex is situated in a very advantageous scenic location – at the intersection of roads leading from the cable-stayed bridge, constructed between 2008 and 2012 across the Golden Horn Bay. The bridge itself is beautiful, offering spectacular views of the bay – the surrounding panoramas alone provide much to the future complex.

“Philosophy” residential complex
Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


The project also considers views that open up from the highway: designed to enhance views and gradually increase massing, the complex is structured with lower volumes facing the bay and taller towers in the northern part. It lays out its plans akin to a Japanese painting and presents itself to the city as a composition of verticals and horizontals, walls, and towers.

All the buildings here are distinct. Two towers, 23 and 26 stories high – a dark terracotta tower and an almost white one – are positioned at key corners like two rocks from a well-known ancient myth. The white tower, taller and closer to modernist prototypes, features its upper part articulated with large terraced steps. In contrast, the terracotta tower, leaning more towards allusions from red-brick industry buildings, is more dynamic due to its brick balconies on the lower part and thanks to the consistent optical “folding” of corners in its upper part.

  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects
  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


These two dominant towers set the main themes: white and terracotta.

Between them stand 10-story tower-like buildings, currently referred to as “urban villas”, although the format resembles nine-story buildings from the 1970s – and why not? They have found answers to so many questions. These smaller towers perform a color “rook move” and hold the northern edge.

They act as propylaea, with a pylon-like entrance gate (a very classical solution) between them. Adjacent to them, on the sides, entrances lead to underground parking, following their rhythm.

  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects
  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


Additionally, adjacent to the terracotta tower is a two-section plate of cascading form, featuring regular “cutouts” of terraces at the corners and at the junction, with a plate-like end and a pyramidal-stepped contour of the entrance lobby.

  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects
  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


This slab completes the complex from the east, giving the entire composition the character of a block, not fully enclosed, but still a block, and protects against wind blowing from the mountains.

The third theme concerns the central tower and the southern 5-7 story building. Their facades are no longer brick but metallic and faceted – in the overall context, they are the flashiest ones. There is no doubt that, although the tall dominants are more noticeable from a distance and define the overall ensemble like two poles, these silvery buildings are visually more important and valuable.

But that’s not everything. The southern building not only opens views to the bay for its neighbors thanks to its slightly lower height – it also has a gallery typology.

“Philosophy” residential complex
Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


Over the past 20 years, in capital cities, many heated debates have been sparked about the possibility or impossibility of typological explorations within the framework of modern residential complexes rigidly defined by marketers. It seemed that the searches had stalled, leading to the discouraging conclusion of the optimality of towers and ordinary section buildings.

But no, these discussions, as it appears, haven’t died down; they’re ongoing. Here’s a gallery house for you. Yes, in Vladivostok.

Even more intriguing is a large cantilever with a polished surface and a shiny metal sphere as its support – an art object, but not just any art object; it’s seamlessly integrated into the architectural solution and functions as a practical support. Undoubtedly, a noticeable accent.

“Philosophy” residential complex
Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


The sphere support and northern propylaea present the complex to the city, not just as a silhouette or composition of volumes, but directly as a new part of it.

The plot is trapezoidal, almost square. It includes a public easement, T-shaped in plan, stretching along the central axis from west to east, plus an extension northward. Just in case: a public easement means that the land belongs to the owner, but their rights are restricted by law [Art. 23 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation], and this area cannot be closed for public use. Thus, within the complex and considering the plot’s limitations, two interconnected urban streets are formed – an open space that, as known, enhances modern residential complexes, attracting buyers to shops and cafes.

  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects
  • zooming
    “Philosophy” residential complex
    Copyright: © Т+Т Architects


At the same time, as we all remember, Vladivostok is a city of hills or even mountains, and the height difference on the plot is not radical by the standards of this city, being mere 10 meters. The architects use it to organize the complex’s interior space, primarily for gracefully separating public and private areas. Courtyards appear on stylobates, and in one place, they are connected by a bridge over the public street—a modern variation of the “metropolitan” approach to separating flows within a residential complex, especially since such an approach has been used in Moscow already more than once, making it a contemporary trend.
 
***

The FSK Group promises to complete the construction of the first phase of the complex, which includes a kindergarten, by the third quarter of 2026.

01 July 2024

Headlines now
Centipede Town
The new school campus designed by ATRIUM Architects, located on the shores of a protected lake in the Imeretian Lowland Ornithological Reserve, represents an important and ambitious undertaking for the team: this is not just a school, but a Presidential Lyceum for the comprehensive development of gifted children – 2,500 students from age 3 through high school. At the same time, it is also envisioned as a new civic hub for the entire Sirius territory. In this article, we unpack the structure and architecture of this “lyceum town”.
Warm Black and White
The second phase of “Quarter 31”, designed by KPLN and built in the Moscow suburb town of Pushkino, reveals a multifaceted character. At first glance, the complex appears to be defined by geometry and a monochrome palette. But a closer look reveals a number of “irregular” details: a gradient of glazing and flared window frames, a hierarchy of façades, volumetric brickwork, and even architectural references to natural phenomena. We explore all the rules – and exceptions – that we were able to discover here.
​Skylights and Staircase
Photos from March show the nearly completed headquarters of FSK Group on Shenogina Street. The building’s exterior is calm and minimalist; the interior is engaging and multi-layered. The conical skylights of the executive office, cast in raw concrete, and the sweeping spiral staircase leading to it, are particularly striking. In fact, there’s more than one spiral staircase here, and the first two floors effectively form a small shopping center. More below.
The Whale of Future Identity
Or is it a veil? Or a snow-covered plain? Vera Butko, Anton Nadtochy, and the architects of ATRIUM faced a complex and momentous task: to propose a design for the “Russia” National Center. It had to be contemporary, yet firmly rooted in cultural codes. Unique, and yet subtly reminiscent of many things at once. It must be said – the task found the right authors. Let’s explore in detail the image they envisioned.
Greater Altai: A Systemic Development Plan
The master plan for tourism development in Greater Altai encompasses three regions: Kuzbass, the Altai Republic, and Altai Krai. It is one of twelve projects developed as part of the large-scale state program bearing the simple name of “Tourism Development”. The project’s slogan reads: “Greater Altai – a place of strength, health, and spirit in the very heart of Siberia”. What are the proposed growth points, and how will the plan help increase the flow of both domestic and international tourists? Read on to find out.
The Colorful City
While working on a large-scale project in Moscow’s Kuntsevo district – one that has yet to be given a name – Kleinewelt Architekten proposed not only a diverse array of tower silhouettes in “Empire-style” hues and a thoughtful mix of building heights, creating a six-story “neo-urbanist” city with a block-based layout at ground level, but also rooted their design in historical and contextual reasoning. The project includes the reconstruction of several Stalin-era residential buildings that remain from the postwar town of Kuntsevo, as well as the reconstruction of a 1953 railway station that was demolished in 2017.
In Orbit of Moscow City
The Orbital business center is both simple and complex. Simple in its minimalist form and optimal office layout solution: a central core, a light-filled façade, plenty of glass; and from the unusual side – a technical floor cleverly placed at the building’s side ends. Complex – well, if only because it resembles a celestial body hovering on metallic legs near Magistralnaya Street. Why this specific shape, what it consists of, and what makes this “boutique” office building (purchased immediately after its completion) so unique – all of this and more is covered in our story.
The Altai Ornament
The architectural company Empate has developed the concept for an eco-settlement located on a remote site in Altai. The master plan, which resembles a traditional ornament or even a utopian city, forms a clear system of public and private spaces. The architects also designed six types of houses for the settlement, drawing inspiration from the region’s culture, folklore, and vernacular building practices.
Pro Forma
Photos have emerged of the newly completed whisky distillery in Chernyakhovsk, designed by TOTEMENT / PAPER – a continuation of their earlier work on the nearby Cognac Museum. From what is, in essence, a merely technical and utilitarian volume and space, the architects have created a fully-fledged theatre of impressions. Let’s take a closer look. We highly recommend a visit to what may look like a factory, but is in fact an experiment in theatricalizing the process of strong spirit production – and not only that, but also of “pure art”, capable of evolving anywhere.
The Arch and the Triangle
The new Stone Mnevniki business center by Kleinewelt Architekten – designed for the same client as their projects in Khodynka – bears certain similarities to those earlier developments, but not entirely. In Mnevniki, there are more angular elements, and the architects themselves describe the project as being built on contrast. Indeed, while the first phase contains subtle references to classical architecture – light touches like arches, both upright and inverted, evoking the spirit of the 1980s – the second phase draws more distantly on the modernism of the 1970s. What unites them is a boldly expressive public space design, a kaleidoscope of rays and triangles.
Health Factory
While working on a wellness and tourist complex on the banks of the Yenisei River, the architects at Vissarionov Studio set out to create healing spaces that would amplify the benefits of nature and medical treatments for both body and soul. The spatial solutions are designed to encourage interaction between the guests and the landscape, as well as each other.
The Blooming Mechanics of a Glass Forest
The Savvinskaya 27 apartment complex built by Level Group, currently nearing completion on an elongated riverfront site next to the Novodevichy Convent, boasts a form that’s daring even by modern Moscow standards. Visually, it resembles the collaborative creation of a glassblower and a sculptor: a kind of glass-and-concrete jungle, rhythmically structured yet growing energetically and vividly. Bringing such an idea to life was by no means an easy task. In this article, we discuss the concept by ODA and the methods used by APEX architects to implement it, along with a look at the building’s main units and detailing.
Grace and Unity
Villa “Grace”, designed by Roman Leonidov’s studio and built in the Moscow suburbs, strikes a balance between elegant minimalism and the expansive gestures of the Russian soul. The main house is conceived as a sequence of four self-contained volumes – each could exist independently, yet it chooses to be part of a whole. Unity is achieved through color and a system of shared spaces, while the rich plasticity of the forms – refined throughout the construction process – compensates for the near-total absence of decorative elements.
Daring Brilliance
In this article, we are exploring “New Vision”, the first school built in the past 25 years in Moscow’s Khamovniki. The building has three main features: it is designed in accordance with the universal principles of modern education, fostering learning through interaction and more; second, the façades combine structural molded glass and metallic glazed ceramics – expensive and technologically advanced materials. Third, this is the school of Garden Quarters, the latest addition to Moscow’s iconic Khamovniki district. Both a costly and, in its way, audacious acquisition, it carries a youthful boldness in its statement. Let’s explore how the school is designed and where the contrasts lie.
A Twist of the Core
A clever and concise sculptural solution – rotating each floor by N degrees – has created an ensemble of “dancing” towers: similar yet different, simple yet complex. The designers meticulously refined a single structural node and spent considerable effort on the column construction – after that, “everything else was easy”. The architects also rotated the core walls on each floor to maximize the efficiency of the office spaces.
The Sculpting of Spring Forest Matter
We’ve been observing this building for a couple of years now: seemingly simple, perhaps even unassuming, it fits in remarkably well with the micro-district context shaped by the Moscow MCD road junctions. This building sticks in the memory of everyone who drives along the highway, even occasionally. In our opinion, Sergey Nikeshkin, by blending popular architectural techniques and approaches of the 2010s, managed to turn a seemingly simple structure into a statement “on the theme of a house as such”. Let’s figure out how this happened.
Water and Wind Whet the Stone
The Arisha Terraces residential complex, designed by Asadov Architects, will be built in a district of Dubai dedicated to film and television production. To create shaded spaces and an intriguing silhouette, the architects opted for a funnel-shaped composition and nature-inspired forms of erosion and weathering. The roofs, podium, and underground spaces extend leisure opportunities within the boundaries of a man-made “oasis”.
Elevation 5642
The Genplan Institute of Moscow has developed a comprehensive development project for three ski resorts in the Caucasus, which have been designated as special economic zones of the tourism and recreation type. The first of these zones is Elbrus. The project includes the construction of new ski runs, cable cars, and hotels, as well as the modernization of stations and improvements to the Azau tourist meadow. To expand the audience and enhance year-round appeal, a network of eco-trails is also being developed. In this article, we provide a detailed breakdown of each stage.
The IT Town
Taking the example of the first completed phase of the “U” district, we examine how the new neighborhood in Innopolis will be organized. T+T Architects and HADAA formed a well-balanced and ingenious master plan with different types of housing, a green artery, a system of squares, and a park in the town’s central part.
The Heart Lies Within
The second-phase building of the Evgeny Primakov School already won multiple awards while still in the design stage. Now that it’s completed, some unfinished nuances remain – most notably, the exposed ceiling structures, which ideally should have been concealed. However, given the priority placed on the building’s volumetric composition, this does not seem critical. What matters more is the “Wow!” effect created by the space itself.
Magnetic Forces
“Krylatskaya 33” is the first large-scale residential complex to appear amidst the 1980s “micro-districts” that harmoniously coexist with the forests, the river, the slopes, and the sports infrastructure. Despite its imposing scale, the architects of Ostozhenka managed to turn the complex into something that can be best described as a “graceful dominant”. First, they designed the complex with consideration for the style and height of the surrounding micro-districts. Second, by introducing a pause in its tallest section, they created compositional tension – right along the urban planning axis of the area.
Orion’s Belt
The Stone Khodynka 2 office complex, designed by Kleinewelt Architekten for the company Stone, is built with an ergonomic layout following “healthy building” principles: natural light, ventilation, and all the necessary features for an efficient office environment. On the outside, it resembles – like many contemporary buildings – an iPhone: sleek, glowing, glass-and-metal, edges elegantly rounded. Yet, it responds sensitively to the Khodynka context, where the main theme is the contrast between vertical and horizontal lines. The key intrigue lies in the design of the “stylobate” as a suspended passage, leaving the space beneath it open for free pedestrian movement.
Grigory Revzin: “It Was a Bold Statement Made on the Sly. Something Won”
In this article, we discuss the debates surrounding the circus competition and the demolition of the CMEA building with the most renowned architectural critic of our time. A paradox emerges in the process: while nostalgia for the Brezhnev era seems to be in vogue in Russia, a landmark building – the “axis” of the Warsaw Pact – has been sentenced to demolition. Isn’t that strange? We also find out that wow-architecture has made a comeback as a post-COVID trend. However, to make a truly powerful statement, professionals still remain indispensable.
Exposed Concrete
One of the stages of improving a small square in the town of Lermontov was the construction of a skatepark. Entrusting this part of the project to the XSA team, the city gained a 250-meter trick track whose features resemble those of land art objects – unparalleled in Russia in both scale and design. Here’s a look at how the experimental snake run in the foothills of the Caucasus was built.
One Step Closer To the Dream
The challenges of getting all the mandatory approvals, an insufficient budget, and construction site difficulties did not prevent ASADOV Bureau from achieving its main goal in the realization of the school project in the town of Troitsk – taking another step away from outdated notions of educational spaces toward creating a fundamentally new academic environment.
Chalet on the Rock
An Accor hotel in Arkhyz, designed by A.Len, will be situated at the gateway to the resort’s main tourist hubs. The architects reinterpreted the widely popular chalet style while adding an unexpected twist – an unfinished structure preserved on the site. The design team transformed this remnant into an exciting space featuring an open-air pool and a restaurant with panoramic views of the region’s highest mountain ridges.
Sergey Skuratov: “By and large, the project has been realized in line with the original ideas”
In this issue, we talk to the chief architect of Garden Quarters, looking back at the history and key moments of a project that took 18 years to develop and has now finally been completed. What interests us most are the transformations that the project underwent during construction, and the way the “necessary void” of public space was formed, which turned this remarkable complex into a fragment of a whole new type of urban fabric – not just at the horizontal “street” level but in its vertical structure as well.
A Unique Representative
The recently concluded year 2024 can be considered the year of completion for the “Garden Quarters” residential complex in Moscow’s Khamovniki. This project is well-known and, in many ways, iconic. Rarely does one manage to preserve such a number of original ideas, achieving in the end a kind of urban planning Gesamtkunstwerk. Here is a subjective view from an architecture journalist, with an interview with Sergey Skuratov soon to follow.
Field of Life
The new project by the architectural company PNKB (an acronym for “Design, Research, and Advisory Bureau”), led by Sergey Gnedovsky and Anton Lyubimkin, for the Kulikovo Field Museum is dedicated to the field as a concept in its own right. The field has long been a focus of the museum’s thorough and successful research. Accordingly, the exterior of the new museum building is gentler than that of its predecessor, which was also designed by PNKB and dedicated specifically to the historic battle. Inside, however, the building confidently guides the visitor from a luminous atrium along a spiral path to the field – interpreted here as a field of life.