bath complex (140 m2) in the Moscow region Vladimir Vorobev, Alexey Adler, Mikhail Romanishev, Vadim Uzzhin

Passing the gallery

A photo: Karen Manko

Text: Julia Sakharova

Architect: Vladimir Vorobyov, Alexey Adler, Mikhail Romanishev, Vadim Uzzhin

Magazine: Na (80) 2004

It would seem that these are incompatible things: the "Egyptian" pyramid and ... the Russian bath, "lying" obviously in different "files" of world culture. But if this Russian bath is modern, then it can hide in a pyramid of glass and metal. The elegant pyramidal design covers the wooden frame like a cap. An interesting symbiosis ... An unusual decision arose spontaneously. The owner and the architect discussed how to combine the Russian steam bath, which was planned to be set apart from the house, and an enclosed space for relaxation, where, in turn, the dining room, the kitchen and the rest rooms were supposed. At the same time, we wanted to preserve the traditional look of the Russian bath - a wooden blockhouse. But then how to enter here, in a modern bath complex, a winter garden? Maybe it will be just a part of the environment, enclosed in a transparent pyramidal structure? .. The landscape was quite conducive to such a decision. The architect "simply suggested" to cover the bath with a glass pyramid, and the owner "simply agreed" ... They oriented the pyramid, as the ancient Egyptian builders did, on the cardinal points and built in accordance with the golden section rule. Its size is 12x12, height - 8 meters. Constructive basis made of steel, put double-glazed windows. Inside is a nice chopped bath 3x4, covered with straw. Numerous “oases” of indoor plants, a dining room, benches for rest and, of course, a TV screen were placed around it in the pyramidal space. The nature of Moscow region, the trees and the sky, "comes through" through the glass walls. Nature changes the scenery every day, adding an unusual theatrical interior. But by the way, he himself is quite theatrical. So, the bath, executed in the conditionally Russian style - with carved patterns and massive forging, sheltered in a small annex, a modern kitchen emphasized. The dining group of solid wood stylistically fully corresponds to it. But the "colonial" rattan furniture and exotic plants create a sustainable effect of detachment. So conceived. There are other artistically caused alleged contradictions. For example, the pyramid "lets in" the surrounding nature inside, but at the same time it looks quite industrial. Dragons, "running" on its glass planes, as well as theatrical chandeliers made of Venetian glass, only reinforce the feeling of spatial-interior performance.Vladimir Vorobev: In what I do, I basically do not have "principles." This approach gives a chance to create an interesting thing for me and for my customer. Creativity, enclosed in a rigid framework, ceases to be creativity.Technical details of the device and operation of this bath, see the journal "Ideas of your home"