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Architecture The Amazing Capital Hill Residence – Zaha Hadid’s Only Private Home Project

The Amazing Capital Hill Residence – Zaha Hadid’s Only Private Home Project

Iconic and world-famous architect Zaha Hadid didn’t design many private residences in her lifetime. In fact, there’s only one completed project that was designed by the late architect and it’s called Capital Hill Residence. It’s a truly amazing structure located within the Bervikha Forest outside Moscow, in Russia. The house sits among pine and birch tree that grow to be 20 meters high and both the architect and her client described it as a dream home. As you’d expect, the architecture and the design of the building are defined by Zaha Hadid’s unique and easily unmistakable style, featuring fluid geometries and lines inspired by the residence’s natural surroundings.

The residence has a futuristic and unconventional appearance and from certain angles resembles a ship

The architect's signature style can be admired in every little line of this residence's architecture — The architect’s signature style can be admired in every little line of this residence’s architecture

The concept for this surreal project was created more than a decade ago and the first visuals were unveiled in 2008, followed by the first photos in 2011 and now images of the completed structure. The residence is structured on four levels and is defined by two main components, one which blend into the sloping hill and another which floats 22 meters above the ground. This allows the top floor to offer spectacular views of the forest and the blue sky which is exactly what the client requested all those years ago.

Seen from below, the house looks dramatic and imposing and has an otherworldly appearance

The two lower floors feature angled glass facades and irregular roofs and they house the social areas

The living room, dining area, kitchen, entertainment spaces and an indoor pool occupy the bottom floors

The glazed surfaces and the angled facades are designed to frame the beautiful surroundings

The top floor houses the master bedroom suites and two exterior balconies which are elevated above the tree canopies

The third floor is the element which connects the lower and upper levels and which contains the entrance foyer, library, a guest room and playroom

Access to the upper floors is ensured by a transparent glass elevator and a stylish staircase

The residence, unlike most houses, has a dynamic and organic appearance as opposed to looking static

The main reason for designing the residence this way was to allow the client to be able to wake up in the morning and see the blue sky

The top floor offers the most spectacular views of the forest in all directions