Minimalist Country House on Novaya Riga
When we first met our client, he had a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, and was well versed in Japanese poetry and cinema. Although he had never visited Japan, he was eager to entrust his home to a Japanese architect to realize a minimalist design.
We didn’t start from scratch; the house was initially designed by a Russian architect, but its layout and functionality didn’t meet the client’s needs. It wasn’t until the Japanese architect shared his vision that the client realized the limitations of the previous design — it felt cumbersome and underutilized.
The project posed two fascinating challenges. First, we had to completely redesign the house and overhaul its functionalities. Second, we needed to incorporate Japanese architectural traditions and modern design elements alongside essential aspects of Islamic culture, as our client practices Islam.
To achieve this, we consulted experts in both Islamic and Japanese architecture. Our main task was to identify and integrate the significant elements of both cultures, creating a space that was both reflective of the client’s love for Japan and respectful of his religious beliefs.
The central theme of the project was water and gardens—elements that hold significant importance in both Japanese and Islamic cultures. The timeless flow of water and the concept of eternity were symbolized through a stone garden and a multi-level pool in the courtyard, echoing the “Garden of Eden” as described in Islamic tradition.
Throughout the project, we traveled to Japan with our client numerous times, immersing him in the culture and introducing him to Japanese experts. Over time, he fell in love with Japan and integrated a piece of it into his heart and home.
The house was completed in 2018. Our company managed the full redevelopment, addressing the ideological, architectural, and engineering aspects of the project.
According to the client, the house is ahead of its time. Having traveled extensively and stayed in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, he noted that some of the innovative features in his home were conceived years earlier by our Japanese architect.
This project highlighted our ability to successfully blend diverse cultural ideas and concepts into a cohesive architectural masterpiece.