Project Description
Situated in the Land Arts Park Nikola Lenivets, a natural park 100 miles southwest of Moscow, this project is an adaptive reuse of the existing shell and structure of a concrete barn. The building is a part of a cluster which supported a communal farm during the Soviet Era. Situated along a ridge overlooking the natural park, Moto was asked to create a work studio for architecture and artists along with living accommodations. The existing structure with overbuilt structural capacity allowed Moto to add an additional level with minimal structural adjustments; easily allowing the living quarters to be separated to the upper level. On the ground floor an open and flexible studio space takes advantage of the barn configuration. To create a unification of existing and new, Moto integrated a wood slat system that defines outside space, shades from direct light and permits viewing. The design is both modern, and through the use of local natural materials, referential to historic Russian building techniques.