Our story begins with an unusual competition, organized by a client who invited several architectural firms to participate. They were given airline tickets and directions to the site, but no specifics about the project or its requirements until they arrived.

The site in Krasnaya Polyana featured complex topography: at the top of the plot stood a house, and at the bottom lay a pond with a grotto and an artificial waterfall.

Between these two points, the client had already constructed the walls and floors of an underground complex. The task for the contestants was to design the interior of this concrete shell. They received folders containing the project brief and a concept board showcasing various interior styles, along with descriptions of what the client liked. There was no opportunity to ask questions or seek further details.

Japanese architect Yusuke Takahashi conceptualized an eco-minimalist “recreation area” for the project. The interior featured circular shapes and flowing lines, inspired by wood grain patterns and water-worn stones.

The underground space was divided into three main areas: a spa, a gym, and a communal activity room for both adults and children. Panoramic windows offered views of the pond and surrounding mountain landscape.

The gym was designed with multifunctionality in mind, featuring areas for active sports, meditation, yoga, and a special VR-fitness corner for virtual reality sports. The spa area, separated from the gym by sliding partitions, included a sauna and a massage room. From there, a passage led to a grotto under the artificial waterfall, where Takahashi placed a hot-water bath, reminiscent of a Japanese rotenburo, an open-air hot spring bath.

Originally, a spiral staircase was planned in the center of the hall, but the client later decided to remove it. IDEOLOGIST team suggested retaining the opening in the ceiling and installing an atrium with real plants instead. Through the glass ceiling, natural light would flood the room, creating a vibrant indoor garden. Surrounding the atrium was a bar counter, enhancing the social aspect of the space.

Much like a gripping spy movie, this project remains shrouded in mystery. Though IDEOLOGIST won the closed competition, it is still unclear which aspects of the design were ultimately realized.

Year 2019
Team