Residence of the Ambassador of Morocco in Russia: a small elegant mansion built in 1902 by the architect William Walcott

Passing the gallery

A photo: Mikhail Stepanov

Text: Tatyana Konstantinova

Magazine: (70)

What can I say, in Russia, for a long time, everything foreign has complained - from the chef who regaled in a nobility meeting or a merchant's club with overseas dishes, to an architect who worked in European architectural fashion. So as always sought to follow the latest Western achievements in the field of comfort and the art of living with dignity. And what is surprising: sometimes even superior to foreign originals The small elegant mansion, built in 1902, once belonged to the owner of the publishing company K.A. Guthaleu, a man very educated and who had a definite relation to art. For the scope of his main activity was the publication of musical scores. To make his dream come true, he invited an English-born architect, William Walcott. The talented architect traveled extensively in Europe, but received his education at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. It was he who offered his client a unique appearance of the mansion for Moscow of that time. The house is lined with tiles in Permanid, noble gray with subtle shades of blue. This material, as well as the strictly symmetrical proportions of the building, is characteristic of Parisian buildings, where the gray-blue sky is reflected in the matte gloss of the old stone. The effect, long noted by poets and artists ... Perhaps, Walcott saw something similar in the French capital. And then, as often happens, he rethought and created something more interesting and perfect. His Moscow mansion turned out to be strictly symmetrical with respect to the center, which is highlighted by a strongly protruding volume, elegantly decorated from the porch to the roof itself. The appearance of the building is a consequence of the interior planning, thought out by the architect. Strong symmetry is noticeable immediately beyond the threshold of the house. From the lobby, seven steps lead to a large hall, fenced off by two monumental quadrangular columns and two pilasters. The light gray pillars are set on dark gray parapet marble. The two-dimensional space of the high hall is illuminated by the windows of the second floor and a large crystal chandelier on a long chain. There are five doors in the hall: two on the right and left and two in the center. Between the ones on the left is a small fireplace. Behind the first door on the left is the family dining room, and on the right - also a dining room, but for special occasions. It has a real masterpiece: a delightful fireplace in the Art Nouveau style. Behind the other doors on the right and left are the bedroom and utility rooms. The central door with a powerful pediment and a picturesque stained glass window above it leads to a large, beautifully furnished living room. The current owners of the mansion are the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Russia, Abdelmalen Zheddaoui, and his wife Fatima. The empire setting was to their liking, although it is fundamentally different from the decorative traditions that have been adopted in the homeland. “The culture of our country,” says Ms. Fatima Zheddaoui, “has very ancient roots. The architecture of Marrakesh is especially delightful. It’s not by chance that this place attracts celebrities, and many, including Alain Delon and Yves Saint Laurent, buy houses and estates here. Especially popular with us is an old craft - making multicolored majolica. " The Moscow house of Mr. and Mrs. Zheddaoui is also tiled. Its brilliant surface is decorated with embossed patterns and angels. To see this beauty, you need to go to the other side of the alley. From here - the best view of the unique mansion.