The third prize winning proposal for the design of art residences in the village of Nikola-Lenivets, Russia is based on the principle of ecological compatibility and convergence with nature. Designed by Megabudka, this is achieved by architectural solutions, volumetric-spatial structures, interaction with environment, and internal physical and mental filling. This new community for artists, and all creative people, will consist of dormitories, a nursery, community center, family houses, and private units. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The villages Nikola-Lenivets, Kol’tsovo and Zvizzhi, located some 200 kilometres west of Moscow, will be extended in the coming years with a new artistic community. Dispersed over 140 hectares of territory, this proposal consists of all new structures and entrances constructed along the field perimeter and tend to be unnoticeable. The architecture serves as a boundary between two natural objects – field and forest. It is emphasized by natural materials that have been chosen.
In this situation art-residencies can be located on 3 sites. Then the structure of the volume is worked out on the example of one of the location sites. In the given example (art residency 2014) linear volume is found close to the camping zone. Now the principal activity zone is concentrated here and in the future a water tower will be constructed here. Camping is connected with the art residence by the dirt road; even now the beginning of a planned drop-off area passes close to the camping and info center. Basic facilities are supposed to be constructed first of all in this zone that will help to attach art-residencies to the common system.
In the layout plan, the linear volume of art-residencies corresponds to the form of the forest boundaries. Houses and dorms for residents are located here. From the front facade, from the side of the field all the residential spaces are united by the wooden terrace. From the side of the rear facade a dirt communication road passes along the whole structure. This road separates residential spaces from the forest. It serves also as an access way to art-residencies. From the abutting end of the linear volume we can see two cylindrical volumes: public center and kindergarten.
Linear single-floor object consists of a number of living and service spaces, which are made as modules. It is implied that linear blocking can occur in any sequence and it allows construction just of necessary functions in turns. At the time it doesn’t influence on full-scale functioning and activities of everyday life of the residency during the construction. It also gives an additional flexibility and allows us to create new engineering connections linearly under the dirt road by the method of build-up. This helps to save a lot of money during the process of assembling and exploitation.
Functions:
- 3 buildings of a dormitory with 7 blocks of rooms in each (the quality can vary). Here service spaces for each dormitory are located, as well as local halls for meetings. All the dorms are united by a corridor. In the corridor we can find storage and acoustical alcoves for individual classes. The corridor has two exits with tambours which go out to the communication road from the rear facade. And each room has its exit to the terrace from the front facade (orientation – to the field)
- 10 pairs of terraced houses for two families in each. Houses are connected with buildings by the common corridor and have their own exits to the terrace (orientation – to the field) and an access to the corridor and a common for 2 houses tambour.
- The corridor unites all the dorm and houses for 2 families through the tambour-sluices. Thanks to this method it is possible to pass to the neighbor’s or to the public center and kindergarten without leaving the covered corridor. And this can be extremely positive in case of bad weather. The aim is to unite people and to enhance communication ties between the residents.
-20 stand-alone houses for secluded living.
-the building of a preschool institution for 2 groups. Consists of the complex of rooms for group activities, administrative spaces, first-aid station and food-preparation station.
-Pavilion/public center. Comprises kitchen, canteen, cafe, small hall, service premises, courtyard (for lectures, meetings, presentations and collective activities). On the second floor of the pavilion we can see a circular gym with perimeter glazing. While operating, fitness equipment generates energy that ensures the operation of the public center. Doing exercises in this gym, residents can enjoy a wonderful view to the field and to the courtyard.
All the windows of living spaces are orientated to the south (south-east/south-west) – to the field. In summer time they are supposed to have protection – sun blinds. All the spaces for classes are illuminated by diffused top-light (windows in a roof). Research shows that in terms of energy efficiency the most optimal way to use solar power is to place as many windows as possible on the south side and to minimize the number of windows on the north side. This principle is realized in this project to the full extent. We use here unicameral windows with argon filling and translucent film.
Heating is provided just in living spaces. In winter time the average temperature in the corridor is high enough for normal operation, this can be achieved due to the fact that the corridor is attached to the forest and is protected from cold winds from the field side. For heating geothermal pumps are used. For water heating – solar collectors, which are located on the roof (roof inclination to the south). In case of the lack of power supply it is possible to install gas generators or to connect to the dedicated capacity. Public pavilion is fully self-sufficient, it means that it generates power.
In this project only natural and ecological materials are used. Vertical enclosures – walls made of logs. Logs are placed vertically to ensure spatial flexibility, prevent shrinkage and provide natural deformation joints. Logs are supposed to be joined through cork filler in a vertical slot, that compensates natural performance of wood. Upper butts of neighbor logs are joined by staples. The roof is classical, thatched. There are several different variants of foundations, depending on grounds. Priorities – shallow foundations (hollow paving or ferroconcrete slabs) or bored piles 1.6 m deep.
In art residencies we want to create a precedent of interaction between people and nature. The role of humankind in this case – is not to effect the nature by everyday activities. To achieve this goal we are planning to implement special requirements and rules, that will change our residents’ order of the day and their lifestyle, that will boost socially useful activity and contribute to the normal operation of art-residencies.
- residents are obliged to use household and cosmetic products that contain just natural ingredients (their cost can be included in a residential fee. - domestic waste should be assorted by the residents. In the future domestic waste will be recycled by special equipment that will be located in Zvizzhi. - sanitary waste is to be processed and used as fertilizer on the local farm.
- a part of food ration residents get from the local farm. For full-fledged operation of the farm and for getting new knowledge a resident is obliged to be involved in agricultural works (a resident works under the surveillance and with the help of specialists) - every resident is obliged to ride an exercise bicycle and cover the distance that will be set. It will provide public center with power.
The experience and knowledge that our residents will acquire will have a positive effect on their perception of the world and their moral principles; they will see in practice what sustainable development means and how one can contribute to the ecological harmony. the number of working people/hours will be determined by the curator. Social surveys have shown that in winter time residences occupancy rate is 30% less. Thanks to the linear volume in winter season we can use block accommodation. Unsettled buildings are switched off (tambour is locked and communications are shut off)
Besides art-activities under the surveillance by a curator in teams or individually we are planning to organize workshops on unique handicrafts. Craftsmen from all parts of Russia will come to the art residence fo give workshops for groups of visitors. The goal is to revive and if possible to commercialize forgotten or vanishing handicrafts.
On the basis of modern equipment, the following things will become possible in Zvizzhi:
- production of local, ecological cosmetics - production of goods from recycled materials - production of unique handicraft items, revival of culture and woodwork - production of art-objects and furniture
Architects: Megabudka Location: Nikola Lenivec village, Kalujskaya region, Russia Award: 3rd prize in International Art Residence Design Concept Competition in Nikola Lenivets, Russia Slogan: Want an eco-friendly architecture – work with your muscles Total Area: 4,470m2 Public Center: 940m2 Nursery School: 430m2 Living Spaces: 3100m2 Dormitory: 3 buildings 1200m2 Terraced Houses for 2 Families: 10 houses 1200m2 Individual Houses: 20 houses 700m2 Public Center: 2 floors Nursery School: 1 floor Living Modules: 1 floor Berths: 210 Year: 2012
