Aperture Effect

2024 Author: David Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 02:26

The new 31st quarter of Pushkino near Moscow, in which "Close-up" designed the residential complex of the same name, is being formed in the central part of the city, on the site between the water protection zone of the Serebryanka River, on the one hand, and Yaroslavskoe highway, on the other. The natural lowering of the relief towards the river exceeds three meters and is leveled with the help of a 1-2-level stylobate: four 23-storey towers are placed on it. They are almost symmetrical, except for one, which rotates about the axis following the bend of Yaroslavka, which cuts off the flat border of the site at this point, and "falls out" of the strict composition. And for the best: along the highway, this creates more dynamic views.

The towers are placed at the corners of an almost square area, freeing up the courtyard area on the roof of the stylobate; between them in the center there is a semblance of a pedestrian boulevard descending to the river with wide staircases - to the authors of the project

managed to convince the developer of the need to maintain the permeability of the territory of the complex. Across the promenade, the stylobate is lined with intersecting rings of paths and flower beds. Residents of the complex have their own access to the stylobate through additional lobbies on the second floor level, while the main entrances to the residential buildings are arranged from the outside from the ground level.

The authors turn the simple and clear symmetry of the composition into an artistic device. The achromatic palette chosen for the facades exaggerates the volumes, creating the effect of a graphic picture. The towers are white on three sides, and all the northern facades "fall through" with solid black planes. The effect is enhanced by the horizontal inserts of polished stainless steel panels, in which the wall literally disappears.

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1/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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2/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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3/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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4/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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5/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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6/6 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupniy Plan"

The grid of the other three, light-colored facades is also heterogeneous. Architects use a “gradient” breakdown of the window rhythm: towards the south side, the glazed surfaces of the buildings thicken, the windows become wider and turn into “glazed” corners of the buildings, where two windows actually join. So, from distant points, the effect of displacement of the regular grid arises, which, together with inserts of mirror metal, relieves the monotony that inevitably arises in the poor range of expressive means that commercial development allows today.

The desire to break a homogeneous mass of walls is also expressed in the plastic isolation of the level of "pedestrian perception". Thus, the first two floors outside the complex, intended for the placement of commercial functions, are united by a brick theme, contrasting in texture with the main smooth surface of fiber cement panels. Vertical pylons and a massive cornice separating the residential floors are made of bricks.

Задание на кирпичные порталы. ЖК «31 квартал» © Проектное бюро «Крупный План»

The main plastic theme of the bulk of the facades - triangular pylons in the walls between the windows - continues to the full height. The pylons are made of obliquely mounted fiber cement panels and are complemented by beveled walls under the windows. As a result, the facade mesh forms a kind of "bells" around the windows, which are deployed in the direction of the sun and, according to the authors, minimize shading.

Opening the facades to maximum illumination and capturing the sun with the help of the geometry of the walls, the architects use a technique that evokes the image of a diaphragm - a round window in the chamber, which regulates the flow of light entering inside.

The risky mix of black and white, sharpened by strict geometric lines, reinforces the associations of architecture with photography and monochrome graphics. By making the stylobate black and placing white on three sides of the tower, the architects at the same time achieve a tectonic feeling and a lightened silhouette. The volumes, thanks to the pylons in the lower floors, have the effect of "legs", and now the 23-storey skyscrapers do not seem massive and the territory at their base looks comfortable and prosperous. This, of course, is facilitated by the display glazing of the lower floors and the detailing of the finish, which is expressed, in particular, in the use of a special volumetric brickwork.

The main area of the stylobate is occupied by a parking lot, but at the base of the buildings overlooking the river, there are also premises for a children's club, coworking space and a cafe, to which gyms are adjacent to the side.

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1/11 Scheme of the facade in the axes of P. E-1A. Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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7/11 Scheme of the facade sweep along the Yaroslavl highway. Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"

The stairs, with which the stylobate descends to the recreational area near the water, are emphasized by unusual wedge-shaped landscaping. Continuing in the improvement of the geometric theme common for the entire complex, the architects supplemented the gatherings with lawn wedges cutting into them, forming another rhythmic accent in the composition.

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3/5 Scheme of the plan of the technical underground at elevation -5.650 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"
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4/5 Scheme of the plan of the lower technical space at elevations +2.550 and +4.450 Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupniy Plan"
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5/5 Scheme of the plan of the 3rd residential floor. Residential complex "31 quarter" © Design Bureau "Krupny Plan"