Beautiful Home And Studio Standing Among Trees And Anthills

For a structure to truly be in harmony with nature it had to respect its surroundings and that can be achieved in numerous different ways, depending on the location, the topography and all sorts of other elements. Each case is special as buildings love nature each in their own way. Today we’re having a look at a structure located in the Vyborgsky District, in Russia. The site is populated with lots of conifer trees and there are also 2 anthills on it. All of these were preserved when AB CHVOYA built this structure here for their clients, a family of artists. They completed the project at the beginning of 2018.

This is a beautiful hybrid structure which serves as both a studio and a home to its artist owners
This is a beautiful hybrid structure which serves as both a studio and a home to its artist owners
The site on which the structure was built is populated with conifer trees and they've all been preserved
The site on which the structure was built is populated with conifer trees and they’ve all been preserved
In order to save the trees the house was designed with a long and narrow floor plan which navigates through the trunks
In order to save the trees the house was designed with a long and narrow floor plan which navigates through the trunks

The structure occupies an area of 159 square meters and serves a double function: that of a studio and that of a home. These two functions occupy different sections of the building and in between them stands a transit porch. The exterior walls are covered with carbonized wooden planks and their dark color contrasts with the natural hue of the wood that lines the porch walls and the stairs that lead up to it.

The blackened exterior of the building allows it to blend into the landscape quite nicely and seamlessly
The blackened exterior of the building allows it to blend into the landscape quite nicely and seamlessly
Two anthills were also present on the site prior to the construction and they too were preserved
Two anthills were also present on the site prior to the construction and they too were preserved
The studio and the home occupy different sides of the building and are separated by a covered porch
The studio and the home occupy different sides of the building and are separated by a covered porch

The building’s design, form and proportions were dictated for the most part by the site, more exactly by the distribution of the trees and the locations of the two anthills. That resulted in a long and narrow structure with a linear layout and with large openings which let in natural light and which frame the serene and beautiful views of the surroundings. Being situated on the edge of the site, the building is in close proximity to the forest, hence the views.

Large openings bring the outdoors in and allow light to enter the rooms during the day while exposing the interior at night
Large openings bring the outdoors in and allow light to enter the rooms during the day while exposing the interior at night
The transit porch marks the division between functions and allows a direct view across the site
The transit porch marks the division between functions and allows a direct view across the site
Although the porch is open on either side, it's also sheltered by the walls and stays cozy thanks to all the wood
Although the porch is open on either side, it’s also sheltered by the walls and stays cozy thanks to all the wood

We should mention the fact that the structure was built on a gentle slope and while the floor level remains constant throughout, the roof follows the slope and runs parallel to it, reinforcing the strong relationship between the house and its surroundings. As far as the proportions are concerned, the entire structure measures 30m x 5.5m, proportions predetermined by the local flora and fauna.

The residential area features a combined kitchen, living room and dining area with large windows
The residential area features a combined kitchen, living room and dining area with large windows
The floor tiles are black, contrasting with the crisp white walls and light wooden ceiling
The floor tiles are black, contrasting with the crisp white walls and light wooden ceiling

The residential section is comprised of an entrance, an open space kitchen, living room and dining area, two bedrooms for the kids and the guests situated at a mezzanine level and a master bedroom. The interior design is simple and elegant, with a neutral color palette, pure materials and authentic finishes and beautifully selected accent details such as the stylish pendant lamps or the patterned area rug. The dark floor contrasts with the white walls and the light wooden ceiling balances the decor.

The interior design is simple, clean and surprisingly warm and comfortable despite the minimalism
The interior design is simple, clean and surprisingly warm and comfortable despite the minimalism
A mezzanine level houses the sleeping areas for the kids and the guests plus a quaint yoga space
A mezzanine level houses the sleeping areas for the kids and the guests plus a quaint yoga space