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REFLECTING NATURE || Innovative Façade Design for Luminous Houses That Glow in the Dark

Kerimov Architects has unveiled a new residential complex nestled on the west side of the Moscow .

This latest venture, named Luminous Houses, is an ensemble of seven low-rise dwellings spread across a 3.5-hectare area, configured in a checkerboard layout.

The design of Luminous Houses is an ode to harmonious integration with nature. Set amid the lush locale, the 3- and 4- storey structures have been carefully placed to retain the existing foliage, creating an intimate woodland setting within the complex. Each dwelling has a mini-garden, offering a cozy outdoor retreat, while the ground-level apartments enjoy the luxury of front gardens.

Residents have access to private mini gardens to enjoy the outdoors.

The two unique facades bask the community in an ethereal glow at night.

Inspired by traditional suburban aesthetics, the architectural narrative of Luminous Houses veers away from the stark modernism often associated with contemporary residential designs. The trapezoidal volumes and semi-pitched roofs subtly echo the charm of self-built village houses, advocating a fusion of man-made and natural beauty.

The focal point of this project is the inventive façade design solutions that Kerimov Architects brought to the table. The façades exhibit a duality of materials that not only augment the visual appeal but also enhance the interplay between the structures and their surroundings. The first material, a profiled sheet, lends a semi-transparent quality to the façades, allowing the buildings to almost dissolve into the natural backdrop courtesy of its reflective properties. This clever use of material underscores a subtle dialogue between built form and nature.

The second material employed is structural glass embedded with lighting, a novel approach in residential building design. This element transforms the houses into luminous entities after dusk, capable of either fragmented illumination or a complete glow, reminiscent of a night-light. This illuminative feature, apart from being visually stunning, extends the dialogue between the urban form and the natural realm into the nocturnal hours.

The buildings are positioned to preserve the natural setting.

The materials for the building exterior expertly camouflages the building into nature.

Luminous Houses’ distinctive façade designs seamlessly blend the urban structures with nature during the day, and come nightfall, the glowing facades ensure the complex doesn’t lose its enchantment, making the complexes a captivating addition to the Moscow region’s architectural portfolio.

PROJECT DETAILS

Location: Moscow region, Russia

Total Area: 3.5 ha

Architects: Kerimov Architects | website | Instagram