Interiors

A FASCINATING FUSION

December 9, 2021

LOCATED IN THE CAPITAL OF RUSSIA IS A SYMPHONIC AND HARMONIOUS HOME WHERE NATURE, ARTISTRY, COMFORT AND LUXURY COLLIDE.

Moscow, the capital of the largest country in the world, is a vibrant city that’s rich with history and culture. Home to the historic Red Square and other well-known buildings like Basil’s Cathedral and the Moscow Kremlin, this remarkable city is known for its unique architecture and its love for art, as proven by the numerous museums, galleries, theatres and exhibitions housed there. Building upon this location’s artistic and architectural prowess is the new contemporary home designed by South African architecture studio, SAOTA. Tucked amid the pine woods on an island in the Moskva River, this luxurious home, dubbed the Silver Pine, is a bold extension and contemporary reinterpretation of the city’s architectural tradition. Perhaps informed by their South African roots, the studio borrowed the concept of the terrace and its emphasis on the outdoors for this home – a surprising choice considering Russia’s climate. To combat the icy winter extremes, advanced glazing systems were used to provide effective insulation.

Once indoors, you’ll find that the steely façade and comparatively brutish structure gives way to a warmth and brightness that emanates from the interior. The experience is comparable to the way the hard outer shell of a geode may reveal a shimmering crystal in its core. The interior design of this home is a lovely marriage between a luxurious modern style and a more classically exquisite concept. The furniture pieces –particularly the unique colourful chairs and sofas by OKHA – feel curated and provide a sense of personality, while the exotic marble flooring, for instance, brings out a more traditional opulence. The bespoke furniture by To provide for a more seamless transition from the outdoors, the television is framed by a metallic material that’s reminiscent of the external brassy buckle from the villa’s entrance. The brilliant interior design work is a collaborative effort by South African interior design studio ARRCC and the Moscow-based studio, Max Kasymov. 

Playing with contrast once again, the interior also uses a variety of tones and textures, making the space really come to life. For example, the swirling sculptural staircase breaks the pattern of angular architectural elements used through the home, signalling a subtle change of character as you move upstairs where the bedrooms reside. Even on the second floor, the tall trees that engulf the home are truly highlighted by the use of glass walls, allowing the lush greenery and natural lighting to shine through. Touches of character are added through art pieces, such as the wall of various Madonna paintings. In the bedrooms, more colour and fun elements are introduced, like with the zebra statue, which adds an intriguing personality. 

Viewing this villa as a whole, there is a sense of dichotomy. The various components that make up the home juxtapose each other brilliantly – namely, the warm terrace versus the monolithic structure, the metallic exterior versus the lively interior, the contemporary pops of colour versus the more grandiose design style. However, instead of saying that it’s full of contrast, there is actually much care put into the transitioning phases, much like when a season changes. Rather than a contrast, it’s a fusion of styles and materials, a lovely gradient of characteristics and a cohesive rendition of Russia’s domestic architecture and art style. The team of architects and designers have balanced the much-needed practicality with an air of opulence, creating an exemplary result of a contemporary villa home.

“SAOTA’s designs are confident and strong without being alienating, they connect indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly and capture light to make the interior spaces glow.”

SAOTA | www.saota.com