house of architect Alexey Vyazminov Alexey Vyazminov

Passing the gallery

A photo: Evgeny Luchin

Material prepared: Dmitry Kopylov

Project author: Алексей Вязьминов

Magazine: N10 (55) 2001

Everybody knows Vyazminov in Moscow. According to reputable experts, it is included in the first "architectural twenty" of the capital. His portfolio includes more than 100 realized objects: more than 50 apartments, 12 country houses, a night club and a business club, medical facilities, offices, shops. He is loved and respected by the employees who conferred on him the honorary title of "world chief." A correct understanding of the tasks set and a light disposition have earned him recognition from customers, which, as is well known, is rare. - Unfortunately, we actually lack the traditions of the so-called small suburban housing construction. I mean true Russian traditions. Preference will be given to the style of "pseudo-country". It is impossible to transfer buildings created for a different climate and a different mentality to our forests and swamps. Russia is a forest country, and basically all houses and buildings have always been cut from wood. Russian hut - not the worst and wretched architectural solution. Unfortunately, this small residential architecture for various reasons did not develop at all and was almost forgotten. After two centuries, it is unlikely that it will be possible to revive the "beating" and "steadfast" kondovo, and there is no need for this special one. Another thing is to find ideas in world architecture that are closest to us, both in spirit and in national traditions. When I was a student, I was presented with a book about Finnish architecture. Finland, I will say frankly, struck me, although by this time I was a man accustomed to the seductive lures of rotting capitalism. I have long dreamed of rebuilding my own house, but I could not decide how exactly. I did not leave the appearance of the house in which I live, but from the inside I did everything in Finnish: strictly, simply, functionally, without unnecessary and cluttering up space nonsense. Clean, dry, warm wood, clean straight lines. Most like it terribly. My project is a dream come true for a Russian person who fell in love with Finland, but did not forget that he should live in Russia. Each of us has our own understanding, our own vision of the country of Dreams. For most Russians, Finland is a country of hot, hard drinking Finnish guys, great jackets, frozen cranberries, Lapland Santa Claus, and saunas, which blue-eyed Finnish girls languidly call "sauna". Sumai saw the country of Vyazminov as he appeared to Lenrat, who wrote the legendary Kalevala. Debating about the accuracy of the observance of certain national traditions in small suburban construction is possible indefinitely. It is even easier to give hypothetical advice on how and what is better to build. Vyazminov, knowing how to build, builds. Builds houses in which you want to live.