Published on Archi.ru (https://archi.ru)

05.06.2025

Warm Black and White

Alyona Kuznetsova
Architect:
Sergey Nikeshkin
Studio:
KPLN

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.

The four black-and-white towers on the banks of a dammed section of the Serebryanka River in Pushkino form the second phase of “Quarter 31” residential complex. The first three buildings were completed in 2018, and two more – also designed by KPLN – are now nearing completion. All the buildings are 23-24 stories tall. The reservoir is surrounded by buildings of similar height, interspersed with smaller Soviet-era panel and Stalin-era apartment blocks. As a result, the central portion of “Quarter 31” does not stand out for its height, yet its façade design certainly feels like a “newcomer” here.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


From a distance, the four towers read as a neatly ordered mass. However, the master plan hides a subtle secret: while three of the towers align orthogonally to the main axes, the fourth breaks the grid, following the curve of Yaroslavskoye Highway and the boundaries of the site. Given the buildings’ size, the shift feels natural, almost imperceptible – and in fact, this slight “irregularity” brings a touch of humanity to the rigid geometry. The towers are unified by a shared plinth, whose rooftop hosts all the necessary landscaping and public spaces. Circular zones on the roof might have made the site plan resemble a quatrefoil, but instead, a stairway bridges the plinth from the highway side down to the reservoir – accessible to the public, not just residents. This seemingly small design choice was, in fact, a hard-won victory for the architects in their negotiations with the developer about ensuring the complex’s permeability.

The masterplan. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
The masterplan. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN


The master plan is by far not the only part of the project where strict regularity is subtly broken – another broad stroke that makes the complex quite a sight to see is the architects’ use of color. Rather than fragmenting the towers into blocks and tiers by using different façade materials, the architects did everything the other way around and emphasized the monolithic form. Three sides of each tower are completely white, while the fourth – much like the north-facing trunk of a tree – is almost entirely black. The stark contrast elongates the silhouette, adds depth, and accentuates the plasticity of the light façades.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


The black façades are not all the same either: touches of white appear here and there as dots, grids, or stripes at different heights and densities. From afar, these subtle elements animate the façades and guide the eye across the surface, establishing visual rhythm.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


At closer range, it becomes clear that the “white” stripes on the dark façades are actually made of polished steel. The highly reflective panels create intense highlights, whose texture could even be mistaken for granite or marble.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


At street level – where it matters most – the full range of materials is revealed. The ground floors of the plinth beneath the towers are clad in glazed brick. The piers between the windows feature 3D brickwork that transforms them into “pilasters”. Each one ends in a sharp wedge shape that is echoed by a smooth, projecting element of the façade above. The pairing resembles an hourglass and separates the plinth from the residential mass not just through texture, but also through volume. The connecting segments of the plinth are clad in black, while the entrances and parking portals are trimmed with wood, adding a striking touch of warmth to the otherwise monochrome palette.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


As for the towers themselves – they are more complex than they might first appear. A key feature that the architects use is the window grid, which varies in size. While the grid remains strict enough to avoid visual disorientation, the changing window dimensions create a gradient effect: the density and area of glazing increases from the dark northern façade toward the southern side. The most transparent point is the southern corner, where loggias give the impression of a fully glazed edge.

“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


“Quarter 31” housing complex
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


As mentioned earlier, the white façades are more plastically expressive than the black ones. Square and triangular fiber cement panels are arranged on a supporting system to create three-dimensional elements – triangular pilasters between windows, angled like sun-loving plants toward the south. The floor slabs are also slightly sloped, forming small “eaves” over the windows below. The white panels, along with the folded black seams between them, resemble sheets of paper – another way of lightening the visual mass. These origami-like folds are complemented by AC unit baskets, carefully integrated into the buildings’ design.

“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


The task of the brick portals. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
The task of the brick portals. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN


In the project, the plinth performs several functions at once. First, it compensates for the natural slope of the site, which drops almost three meters toward the river. As a result, the height of the plinth ranges from one to two stories. Most of the space is taken up by parking for 330 vehicles, surrounded by storage units and public facilities: a kindergarten, a café, sports halls, shops, and, finally, co-working areas. The main entrance groups are located at street level, while residents can also enter the plinth via secondary lobbies at the second-floor level.

Simplified plan at elevation -3.600.
Simplified plan at elevation -3.600."31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Simplified plan of the floor at elevation -0.300.
Simplified plan of the floor at elevation -0.300. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Simplified plan of the underground mechanical rooms at elevation -5.650.
Simplified plan of the underground mechanical rooms at elevation -5.650. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Simplified plan of the lower mechanical area at elevation +2.550 and +4.450.
Simplified plan of the lower mechanical area at elevation +2.550 and +4.450. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Simplified plan of the 3rd residential floor.
Simplified plan of the 3rd residential floor. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN


Since the towers are positioned at the corners of an almost perfectly square site, the center is left open for a landscaped courtyard. On top of the plinth, the residents enjoy recreational zones, children’s playgrounds, sports areas, and greenery. A pedestrian boulevard runs through the center, leading to the Serebryanka embankment via a wide staircase. This promenade is separated from the recreation zones by wedge-shaped lawns.

“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN


Despite the pronounced geometry and monochrome palette, the complex reveals a number of personal touches, warm gestures toward residents, and even allusions to nature. One final detail deserves special mention: the realized project stays remarkably true to the original 3D renderings – we invite you to compare the photos in this article with the visualizations from the design phase.
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
“Quarter 31” housing complex
Copyright: Photograph © Dmitry Yagovkin / provided by KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Section view 1-1.
Section view 1-1. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Section view 2-2.
Section view 2-2. "31 Kvartal« (“Quarter 31”) housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Facade in grid 1.1-4.9.
Facade in grid 1.1-4.9. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
"31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
The facade inn grid.
The facade inn grid. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN
Development drawing of the facades along the Yaroslavl Highway.
Development drawing of the facades along the Yaroslavl Highway. "31 Kvartal« (»Quarter 31") housing complex
Copyright: © Architectural Bureau KPLN