The architects have been working on this project intermittently since 2007 and greatly appreciate the experience gained. In particular, they managed to make sure that if the working drawings are made in sufficient detail, the idea can be implemented quite accurately even without constant supervision: it took only a few consultations, and everything was done exactly. In addition, some important elements, for example the wooden frames of the terraces, turned out the way it was conceived in the concept: rather thin and light.
Two volumes are covered with a rough skin of dark slate, they look out into the forest, but they are placed close and form a small area of the courtyard between them - a thoughtful and coherent ensemble is obtained, both natural and urban: a modern version of the “garden city”. Moreover, the stone texture of the facades is contrastingly emphasized by the light whiteness of the interior space - the architects also worked on the interior of one of the houses.
We spoke with one of the main architects of DNA ag, Natalia Sidorova, about these houses.
Archi.ru:
What is the essence of the project?
Natalia Sidorova:
- The task was to build two houses for two brothers on two adjacent plots surrounded by forest. The required functional program almost completely had to occupy the area on which construction was possible, therefore one of the main tasks was to solve the spatial issues related to the almost urban density of building and while maintaining all the advantages of suburban life.
In the process of prototyping, the structure of houses was formed with a non-rectangular, at first glance, random geometry of the plans. This made it possible to answer several questions at once: the windows of all the main rooms face the forest and past the walls of the neighbor's house; houses with the same program and size have acquired an individual planning character; a courtyard with a common summer pavilion and barbecue was formed between the houses, where the whole large family can gather at a common table.
Tell us about the facades
N. S.: All facades are equal, like a sculpture, there is no division into major and minor. Thanks to this, in addition to the spatial one, a solid volumetric composition is obtained. At the same time, each facade has its own character, dictated by the planning structure of the houses. The facades are faced with strips of slate of two types: mainly silver and interspersed with dark gray. In the shade, their difference is nuanced, but in the sun the contrast is enhanced: the silvery stone has a slight sheen due to the metallized smooth surface, and the dark stone is matte and rougher.
When it came time to order facade materials, the customer doubted the dark color of the stone and said that he wanted to make the cladding more traditional light. This was very important for the concept and, fortunately, we managed to convince him to choose a dark gray slate and keep the intended mood. In contrast to the color and nature of the wall material, a warm light wood - tinted larch was used to decorate balconies and terraces.
The brutal stonework and the non-rectangular geometry of the walls both in plan and in the façade, combined with chambered and irregular spaces, give the houses a lively, modern and, at the same time, almost medieval character.
What technical solutions, in your opinion, have turned out?
N. S.: Slightly protruding wooden framing of niches and terraces, scattered throughout the house, became a characteristic element. Moreover, for the character of the "line" the small thickness of the frames was very important. Therefore, for these cantilever elements, a monolithic structure was chosen with attachment to the main also monolithic frame through a thermal connector, which made it possible to do without insulation and reach the desired thickness, taking into account the finish.
The construction was carried out with minimal author's architectural control, since the project was carried out in great detail, and with good organization and the customer's desire to make the house in accordance with the project, supervision was almost unnecessary. As a result, the houses really fully correspond to the project. A slight redesign of the design during construction only affected the fences.
For illumination and entrance to the basement, deep pits were made along one of the facades of each house. The facades and retaining walls are made entirely of slate, which gives the impression of a house that has grown out of a rock or, on the contrary, a fragment of an old building that has grown into the cultural layer.
Have you done all the interiors?
N. S.: We designed the interior of one of the houses. The interior is designed in the same minimalistic, calm style as the facade and is built on natural colors and natural materials. In contrast to the façade, light colors are used inside, and only the central core with a cantilever staircase is highlighted with the same dark gray façade slate.
