трехуровневая квартира площадью 104 м2 в подмосковном коттеджном поселке Alexey Dolgov Дом, созданный как "дом для уик-енда в дружеской компании". Рациональная обстановка; впечатление целостности пространства, созданное отсутствием видимых границ

Passing the gallery

A photo: Mikhail Stepanov

Text: Alla Dubrovskaya

Architect: Alexey Dolgov

Magazine: N4 (60) 2002

The stereotype of a country house is a secluded world, behind the walls of which there is a warm, stable spontaneity, a cozy "household". The architectural “scenario” of this house looks unusual - a weekend house in a friendly company In the days of the Italian Renaissance, country houses were divided into two categories. The first were called villa rustica, they were distinguished by their impressive size and full compliance with the conditions for permanent residence and natural management. The houses of the second type were called villa suburbana. Their role was different. In small elegant apartments, aristocrats, exhausted by the city bustle, indulged at the end of the day to frank sybeat (at first they even didn’t have bedrooms), or organized chamber "meetings". Virtually all modern country houses have a pedigree from villa rustica. Three-storey apartment in a cottage settlement situated near Moscow, rebuilt by architect Alexei Dolgov, is a rare example of the villa suburbana tradition. From the original layout of two-story housing (the so-called town-house), which occupies a quarter of the house, almost nothing survived. The key to solving the interior was the creation of two-light space, for which we had to remove part of the ceiling between the first and second floors. The ceiling of the second floor was decided to be disassembled, due to which a third, attic floor with a small room appeared. The “energy” and compositional center of the house is an “airy” staircase that penetrates the interiors of the first and second floors. The outlines of the upper tier, as it were, mirror the opening of the first tier, so that the whole structure can be viewed both from the bottom and from the attic floor and it seems incredibly transparent and weightless. The graphic elegance of the staircase resembles a constructivist composition: for example, the dynamic construction of El Lissitzky. Despite the “withdrawals”, the area after reconstruction even increased (104 m² instead of the previous 90). But the main thing is different. The very "organization" of the interiors of each floor is such that the boundaries between the zones are conditional, only indicated, and this lack of visible boundaries creates the impression of the integrity of the space. Where there used to be a tight entrance hall and stairs, there is now a spacious hall with fitted wardrobes. The staircase serves as the border between the living room and the adjacent kitchen-dining room. The furnishings are selected and placed extremely rationally, there is not a single extra detail. In the zone of the first tier, everything that meets the most modern notions about everyday comfort is collected (of course, adjusted for the owner's lifestyle). A kitchen unit, for example, includes a "gentleman's set" that a decent bachelor needs. Seemingly impressive, the fireplace actually takes a very tiny corner. And the modest size of the living room is not noticeable. A proper level of comfort is ensured on all three tiers by the "smart home" system, which is hidden behind a sliding wall in the living room. The classic ascetic combination of black and white (furniture upholstery) is complemented by matte and shiny metal (stair designs, lamps). Such a sharp color sound is softened by light maple floorboards and cream walls. A strong emotional chord - scarlet Alcantara covers on upholstered furniture, like the "Red Furniture" of Falk. The design of the stairs is associated with the rigging of the yacht. This "ship" theme echoes the design of windows, the "air" outlines of the lamps above the stove. The image is completed with a decorative solution of the second tier: the arc-curved wall, lined with maple, and the steps leading to the attic - all this resembles the hull of a ship. Above it, the "starry sky" mysteriously flickers. Meanwhile, the whole composition is perceived as if the components, its components, are combined easily and organically, as if "effortlessly". Bearing elements are not perceived as such. Thus, the arcuate wall-partition of concrete that supports the third tier is sheathed with light wood. On the ground floor it rests on a modest metal pillar trimmed with stone. A series of four wall lamps simulates the perspective of space: it goes into a shaded area - under the ceiling of the third tier. The laconic third tier, strict neutrality of details are in harmony with the miniature garden, which occupies its niche - in the "dead" zone, under the sloping ceiling. This visually expands the small cabinet. Luminaires attached to kosoura, compensate for the lack of overhead lighting. Despite the fact that the weekend is a concept that is completely defined for everyone, this “home for the weekend” opens up many options for leisure time. A competent architectural scenario is able to satisfy the most incredible customer conditions.Alexey Dolgov:"The upcoming work at first seemed completely uninteresting: a small area, a standard layout. But the customer announced that the conditions that it is customary to create for a permanent residence of a family in a country house are not at all interesting. The interior should become something like a leisure studio, where and his friends could come from time to time. Therefore, “as it should be” should not be done, on the contrary: “The main thing is the maximum of space, light and originality.” And this interested us. ”