On one’s own wavelength. Avant-garde penthouse in the “Moscow City” | SALON-interior № 11 (177) 2012 / interior
In Moscow City there are many worthy interiors, yet Sergey Estrin has managed to create an apartment that is impossible to forget.
From the very beginning this apartment was meant to be not just a simple dwelling but a special place for the owner to find a quiet moment for himself either unaccompanied or with close friends; as well as to settle an exceptional location for rowdy parties. Being schooled by experience and fairly sophisticated, the client was in search of something rather extraordinary. Something he hasn’t seen before, an accommodation his friends would be astonished with.
The sitting room with cosy sofa, a TV zone and bar area with a proper counter for cocktail party was intended to be the main area of apartment. The design meant to be striking and exceptional as well as most functional. Next to the sitting room there is a spacious master bedroom. The rest of the premises were those required for regular operation such as bathroom, wardrobe, mini-kitchen, storage, lobby, and guest toilet and wardrobe.
Contemplating over the concept, Sergey deliberated design that could, much like a mighty torrent wash away the burden of anxiety and everyday troubles. The Architectural Studio has consequently come up with the idea of a wave which appealed to the client immediately and we then proceeded with detailed elaboration.
The area of 181.2 sqm is split into two parts, separated by massive glass wave that has become the main highlight of the interior. Behind the wave were hidden all basic functional zones such as lobby, kitchen, bedroom, wardrobe and toilet.
Fourteen meters wide and more than three meters tall, this illuminated turquoise wall overpowers the rest of the details. Even dramatic Moscow view from the 43rd floor fails to compete with it. The maritime subject of wave, ocean, speciousness and ease is supported by overall range of colours expressed in various white, sand and turquoise hues. The decoration elements and furniture bear strong resemblance to river pebbles, sand, shells, jellyfish or sponge thus completing the overall impression.
Project implementation was very labour-intensive, time-consuming and required constant attention of the architects. Many elements were manufactured abroad in one copy only. The main feature – glass wave was custom-made for the project in Germany.
After exhausting intense work of the entire team the initial idea of the architect has acquired even more expressive appearance. Evidently all raised digressions from the initial design have only improved it. The client was beside himself with delight.
© Russian twxt by Andrey Presnov, for SALON-interior
