Archcouncil Award Winners: ZIL residential complexes

Two projects designed by Sergey Skuratov Architects — apartment complexes on the ZIL territory and Paveletskaya Embankment — became the finalists for the Architectural Council Award. The stylish project for the ZIL area that forms the corner of ZILART blocks was recognized as the winner of the best architectural city planning solution for comfort-class residential buildings.

Residential complex at Avtozavodskaya Str., 23 is essential in city planning solution for construction of ZILART blocks, as it forms a corner by the side of the Moscow River Embankment (lot No. 1). It consists of 15-storey building with 5 sections, standing on two-storey underground part, and is connected with the yard through car parking space.

The design of the facades includes deep brick bars of pillars and bands thinning out towards the Moscow River. The eastern end is broken with corten steel insertions and gradually turns into the «steel tail». The complex also includes the space of inside courtyard on the artificial stylobate with its retaining wall facing the red line of the planned pedestrian street.

The underground part has parking, technical facilities, as well as a supermarket, which has a roof light exposed at the courtyard surface. The total area of the complex is about 42 thousand sq. m.

Victor Obvincev, Architect at Sergey Skuratov Design Bureau, provided comments on the following issues:

— What effect did the rules of ZILART design-code developed by Meganom Bureau have on the Residential Complex Project?

— The rules of ZILART design-code influenced the basic parameters of the Residential Complex. The complex area size, height of the ground floor, the building height, brick as the main material for the facades and other general rules were implemented in the project according to the building regulation principles, developed by Meganom.

— What special features of the pedestrian space organization would you point out? In what way will the Residential Complex interact with the surrounding city environment?

— The pedestrian zones in ZILART territory are clearly divided into public and courtyard space. Creation of public transport network, cycling infrastructure, territory improvement system based on «barrier-free environment» principle and public facilities on the ground floor will provide for a comfortable environment for the residents and guests of the Residential Complex.

The special characteristic of courtyards is that stylobate is located on the perimeter of the residential quarter which protects the internal space from the traffic noise and helps to create a «green island» in the middle of the yards with landscape objects, playgrounds and walking areas.

Almost all public functions on the ground floor are glass-enclosed, that’s why the urban space visually merges with the Residential Complex. These buildings form the image and character of the place, its scale and quality of the architectural environment.

Another project by Sergey Skuratov Architects was also nominated for the best solution for comfort-class housing — a multifunctional residential complex on the territory of cardboard-printing plant — the former Shlikhterman factory (Paveletskaya Embankment, 8). The project was reviewed by the Architectural Council of Moscow.

When designing the project, one of the basic principles was to preserve the spirit of the place and to create ensemble, which will remind of the factory. The architects tried to maintain the compositional and planning solutions of the existing structures, in particular, the main buildings of the factory. In addition to the above, all brick inserts that are to be made in the historic part during reconstruction will have a modern look.

Besides the residential function, the project also provides for construction of office space, commercial and leisure facilities, as well as a kindergarten. The courtyard-park is planned to be restored in the centre of the complex, which was historically located around the manor house that belonged to the factory owner, Yegor Shlikhterman.

The complex will have 16 floors.

The special feature of the project is «multi-purposeness for all premises», which provides for layout variability as well as high passability of all the spaces in the complex.

Victor Obvincev, Architect at Sergey Skuratov Design Bureau, provided comments on the following issues:

— How will the complex interact with the river?

— The design composition is based on the idea of preservation, reconstruction and renovation of the main part of the well-preserved factory buildings of the late XIX century belonging to the Russian merchant of Prussian origin, Y. Y. Shlikhterman, in the area adjacent to Paveletskaya Embankment and its integration into the new residential complex. The whole structure of the complex and the pedestrian boulevard will be river-oriented.

Public functions located in the reconstructed buildings and new buildings, that reproduce contours of the historic building, will become a connecting point of the residential complex and the waterfront. In front of the shopping mall, from the side of the embankment, a square with outdoor cafés is formed around the smokestack. On Paveletskaya Embankment opposite the residential complex, there will be public transport stops and a pedestrian crossing leading to the promenade along the Moscow River.

— What public facilities will the residential complex have?

— From the side of the embankment, there will be a shopping center with a supermarket, restaurants and cafés, as well as a fitness centre with a swimming pool and an event hall.

Inside the complex, a kindergarten will be built in a separate reconstructed building.

On the ground floors of the residential buildings, there will be office premises, general purpose areas and enterprises rendering services to the population.

— According to the experience of the previous projects related to the industrial areas (for example, Danilovsky Fort), what is the key to the successful development of such urban spaces?

— The key to successful development of the project is to understand the Customer’s requirements, understand the overall goals and objectives, the level and quality of project implementation, a clear division of roles and compliance with the chosen strategy, respect for the architect’s work and parity among the Customer, Architect and Contractor when making decisions throughout the whole period of construction.