The landscape design workshop Arteza has been working on the landscaping project for the renovated Moskva hotel since August 2013. It was then that the customer turned to landscape architects with a request to improve the empty courtyards and terraces of the hotel, to turn them into green spaces, pleasant for walking and relaxing. The project includes three courtyards located in the residential area, in the office and hotel parts of the building, as well as the terrace in front of the presidential suite.
The courtyard is located on the sixth floor of the building and has a regular rectangular shape in the plan. It is already paved and has four symmetrically arranged flower beds, which the landscape architects had to beat. Arteza has developed several options for solving this space, preserving and supplementing the existing structure.
In the first version, the image of the space is based on a combination of white decorative pebbles and artificial green lawn. It is important to emphasize here that initially the customer was going to use exclusively natural lawn (for these purposes, the soil was even partially brought here), but, having studied all the conditions in detail, the Arteza specialists convinced him to abandon this idea. As one of the authors of the project, Aleksey Pertsukhov, explains, the main argument against living greenery was that it was possible to create only a very thin, literally 15-centimeter layer of soil in the yard, into which it was impossible to install irrigation and drainage systems. The authors proposed to give preference to an artificial turf, which visually practically does not differ from the natural one: using a pebble dump on the green cover of the lawn, a minimalistic pattern of horizontal and vertical wide strips-paths was set.
In each of the "islands" architects make two rectangular notches, placing them diagonally relative to each other. There are benches along the edge of each cut-out, and in front of them is a large square table made of stone, where you can drink coffee, work or just chat. The other two corners are marked with white pebbles, from which "jets" of the so-called "light fountain" are gushing. The jets are actually lamps made of translucent plastic, which are so light and mobile that at the slightest breath of wind they give a light and very realistic wave, making the artificial fountain look just like a real one. Even the intensity of the light in it can be adjusted by directing the effect of a smooth on / off backlight.
Another noticeable plastic accent in each of the "islands" is the ventilation pipes brought out into the courtyard. They are supposed to be lifted onto a snow-white podium and turned into metal sculptural elements shining in the sun. But the central part of the courtyard will remain free of permanent objects, since this place is designed for various events, including those that require a stage montage. The rest of the time, here you can form various compositions of glowing white pots with bright, flowering plants. Exactly the same pots will be placed around the entire perimeter of the yard. Their role is not only decorative decoration, but also lighting: in fact, flowerpots and "fountains" will become the main source of light in the yard at night.
The second solution to the office yard differs from the first only in the absence of filling. In this solution, instead of pebble routes, green hedges appear, made by molding a variety of plants, so that visitors can walk right on the lawn, which seems to be lined into separate segments.
The latest version, proposed by the architects of "Arteza", is perhaps the most free. In it, the authors again turn to luminaires in the form of streams, but they form a dynamic diagonal from them, a kind of bed of a rapid river. The bottom of the river is represented by a white dump, and its banks are dark, almost black pebbles. It is interesting that there are two streams - one crosses the courtyard exactly diagonally, and the second flows in a smooth arc along the upper "islands".
The next area that needed to be tidied up was the hotel's courtyard. It also has a rectangular shape, but its entire central part is occupied by an unexploited pool roof, located slightly above the level of the courtyard. For hotel guests, access is not provided here, so the main task of the designers was to create a beautiful view of the courtyard from the hotel rooms.
“When we first saw this place, it was an empty area with half-disassembled paving tiles,” says Aleksey Pertsukhov. - Then the idea arose to fill the "gaps" between the tiles with a green lawn to give the space liveliness and even some mischief. This solution is very simple both in implementation and in further operation. " Of course, the tiles themselves were rearranged - having carefully thought out the location of each of the elements, the architects achieved the creation of a harmonious and balanced pattern, similar to the pixel one. In addition, options have been developed to decorate the walls surrounding the pool roof. And the final touch in the design of the space was the already familiar glowing pots with plants.
On the fifth floor, in the apartment area, there is another open atrium, which provides an exit from each apartment. "Arteza" proposed to interpret it as a union of cozy private courtyards located in the open air, but separated from the rest of the courtyard by impenetrable walls. This idea was realized by creating a wooden frame with blank walls. The flooring made of wood-polymer composite reminds of cozy terraces of country houses, and in order to avoid the feeling of a closed space, the authors of the project imitate windows covered with thick street curtains. As a result, the courtyards in their atmosphere turn out to be close to the interior space, even the outdoor furniture selected for them, which can easily survive the winter in the open air, looks intimate and warm, and, it seems, would easily suit a luxurious living room. The space is planned in such a way that it comfortably combines a dining area and a relaxation area, and in the latter, in addition to wide armchairs and sofas, a garden swing is installed. At the request of residents, live plants can appear here, as well as designer interior items - for example, giant green apples. The lighting system, as well as the scenario for the operation of the room in winter (all structures are collapsible), have been carefully thought out.
The large terrace of the presidential apartment overlooking the Kremlin and Manezhnaya Square is located on the seventh floor of the Moscow Hotel. It has five large hotel rooms, which can be combined if necessary. Accordingly, the terrace was supposed to receive some kind of relatively universal solution, suitable for operation by both one guest and several. Landscape architects suggested turning it into a transformable space, which, like a constructor, is assembled from the same elements. Zoning is carried out using green screens made of artificial turf and openwork plastic screens in white. The dining and meeting areas, formed with wicker furniture and light-colored textile surfaces, are located under wide awnings to protect from rain and wind. For heating and lighting, it is proposed to use gas lamps with an open flame. Along the edge of the terrace, along the fence, there are also places for secluded communication and calm contemplation of the views of historical Moscow.
The detailed concept for the improvement of the hotel territory also includes scenarios for the use of open spaces in winter: heating of the paving is provided, and options for New Year's decoration have been created.
