At the intersection of two avenues

Low-rise residential complex “New Archangel» (Novoarchangelskoe) in Russia from Arhitekturium. In 2004, the draft settlement “New Archangel”, performed by the studio “Arhitekturium”, won the contest announced by the magazine “Modern Home”. Then, five years ago, the mere fact of such a competition for the domestic market of suburban settlements was an absolute breakthrough: the developers suddenly realized that the success of a commercial product called “settlement” is laid, not least the architect and it is on stage, creating the master plan. Implementation of the project the winning conclusively proven that this is indeed the case.

When the architects set about designing the project, they were solidly composed competitive job from the magazine “Modern Home”, which requires a settlement of townhouses, to the extent of economic and fabricated, yet aesthetically pleasing, able to break the seal that blocked construction – is monotonous and dull. The site is ready to become a field for experiment, was located seven miles east of Moscow on Novorizhskoe road a little way from the federal highway, on a field adjacent to the two sides to the pine forest, and a third to a picturesque creek.

In terms of plot of land like boots, whose soles flat facing the highway, and a wide lapel almost square in shape – to the forest. However, this metaphor in the near future will lose its relevance – the investor intends to purchase the adjacent plot of land and build the second phase of the village, which will make the whole ensemble of logical completeness. On the opposite side of the Riga highway, with the line of houses of the village Craters begins manor park Arkhangelsk. It is not hard to guess exactly proximity to the famous museum gave the project a resounding name, it also inspired the architects to bring the idea of ​​the layout of the village some regularity. This is very pronounced and disposal geometrism that part of the Novo-Arkhangel’sk that faces the woods – the cross hairs of two pedestrian boulevard in the middle of a circular area of ​​a rectangle divided into four equal parts. Entrance gate to the village is the arch, it – building a two-story community center, the main object of Novo-Arkhangel’sk infrastructure, and this volume, like propileyam, captures the main axis of the boulevard. “Counterweight” to him, however, is not the main manor house and not even a group of townhouses, and the round in terms of children’s playground. Right and left of the main entrance to the village are spare, and each of them continues the street, one of which – Pine – in its length is equal to the pedestrian boulevard, and the second – Olkhovaya – past the center, leaves his straightforwardness and obediently follows every curve of the tops in the measure raznoshennogo and therefore very comfortable boot.

Results in New Archangel 118 cottages ranging from 197 to 313 square meters, and each house has its own unique plot, ranging from 0.4 to 4 acres. Seeking a visual diversity, “Arhitekturium” instead of the traditional 2-3 species townhouses developed six sections, which are grouped in four types of houses. Along a straight line and the Pine Olkhovoy built, perhaps the most traditional sections – glued to a number of houses, each of which has a balcony and attic, and garage for two cars. The main residential area of ​​Novo-Arkhangel’sk formed by four L-shaped town houses – “horseshoe,” which can boast not only the proximity to the central crossroads of the village, but also cozy courtyards. Another type of lock – angular sections, from which point the house made of four apartments (“Cross”). The main advantages of these homes include the presence of glazed attic floors, maximum natural light and fill the home. And along the winding segment Olkhovoy is “Snake” from the 14 sections, beautifully echoing the curves of the terrain.

The basic principle of blocking sections based on the imposition of transverse dividing walls outside of houses. In fact, fences – this is the continuation of firewalls, but to avoid the feeling of clutter walls and overall excessive secrecy, the architects did not make them too high. Maximum height of each of the wall – 1.2 feet, and, as practice shows, this is more than enough to create a sense of separateness small houses adjoining space. And, of course, like partition walls, growing out of buildings, looks much more “architectural” than all kinds of nets and fences. In addition, some sections are shifted along these walls to each other – that is, for example, is designed “Snake”.

Visually appear to be low, and yourself at home. A similar effect could architects using dormers, which in each cottage for 6-7. Such a number of glazed “slants” makes the house not only lighter but also more visually proportionate to that with modest houses adjoining area of ​​land and building high-density townhouses are very important.

It is interesting that in the competitive project also includes acoustic houses along the highway – housing an impressive architecture (roof actually came down to the ground, acting as a noise protection screen) and slightly lower price point. However, technical requirements and standards in the end forced the architects to abandon the idea – now in this area are engineering facilities and an area for dog walking. And in order to save the maximum settlement of any relationship with the track, the architects also removed the second entry from the highway, leaving only the head, passing through the community center.

By the way, was originally planned that this center will be divided into two blocks, one of which will house a restaurant in another – a supermarket and consumer services. Subsequently, however, the developer dropped the idea because in a five-minute distance from the village of supermarkets and restaurants are abundant, and the rate was made at a medical center with a unique range of services and quality equipment. Among other infrastructure – several playgrounds, fitness center and an area for dog walking.

At this divergence from the original version of the project ends. The general plan of the village has retained its picturesqueness and abundance of green space, which in 2004 was brought to the project “Arhitekturiuma” victory. The undoubted success, “Novo-Arkhangel’sk” lies in the fact that the developer had almost fully implemented before the settlement of the economic crisis and therefore did not try to save on building materials. On the contrary, from cheap, but short-lived sandwich panels at once refused, preferring monolithic load-bearing frame with walls of brick with effective insulation and outer casing facing brick and natural stone. A fence balconies, garage and covering nadokonnyh fragments are made of wooden slats painted dark brown. All together it forms a very rich palette – red, beige, camel and chocolate – and multiplied on a variety of architectural forms, creating a rich visual environment, from the definition of “dull” as far as possible.