Ecodolie Village | Blank Architects

The village "Ecodolie" is located 15 km from the MKAD on Dmitrov highway, in Sholokhovo. The complex includes low-rise apartment buildings up to 4 floors high, townhouses of various typologies and plots for individual housing construction. Creating the architectural project "Ecodolie", we sought to reflect the rural lifestyle of residents and at the same time create an atmosphere of a cozy European town.

Surrounded by water

The development moves from the center to the borders: the highest building density and height decrease as you move to the periphery. The diameter of the central zone is formed by a multifunctional pedestrian square and a green square with a shopping boulevard. This solution allowed us to create an atmosphere of a cozy European town, increase the diversity of the environment and the attractiveness of public spaces for residents. The concentration of commercial space around the square increases the efficiency of retail, making it as accessible as possible. The village was planned for 5 600 inhabitants. The apartment building consists of 730 apartments and the height of the houses is up to 4 floors.

Lowering the density of buildings to the river and stream, we used the unique location of the village between the rivet and the stream. The green area around the river turns into a recreational infrastructure with playgrounds. The streets in the "Ecodolie" are located in such a way as to ensure the greatest number of people's contacts with water bodies. For the residents of the central part of the village, we have designed a multifunctional public space and a square. Thus, natural infrastructure and recreation are available to every resident.

Privacy and suburban infrastructure

There are three main points for entering the territory, where access control is provided and infrastructure facilities are located - a restaurant and a supermarket. A place to relax in the village becomes a park, which we called the "green loop": an extended landscape running along the streambed and surrounding the entire village. A bike path and a running route will be organized along it, as well as activity areas: a children's playhub, multifunctional sports zones and a workout for adults, small playgrounds, places for relaxing by the water, as well as a quiet recreation area and a barbecue area, which can be used by residents of apartment buildings. The project will also include an 80-persons school and two kindergartens for 140 and 250 pupils. All playgrounds in the project are creative and eco-friendly: natural materials such as stone, wood, shavings are chosen for their construction.

The archetype of the house

On the territory of the "Ecodolie" it is assumed not only the type of townhouses already used in the central building, but also two new types of houses. First is classic townhouse with a backyard, where the problem of extensions of the front part is also solved. The second type is townhouse with a community courtyard designed for residents of several houses. This configuration ensures the availability of children's and recreational playgrounds at home and creates additional space for acquaintance and communication of neighbors. The safety of its residents is important, which is ensured, among other things, by the correct layout of houses and their location relative to each other. At the same time, the houses are designed so that the buyer can easily "turn" the house with the end or front side to the path, without thereby violating the geometry of the site.

Each of more than 800 houses is archetypal – simple in appearance and resembles how children depict the house. The laconic and compact volume does not expand with additional extensions due to its functionality. Despite the fact that the houses are designed in a single key, the client still has the opportunity to give the house an identity. As an additional option, it is possible to build a carport, a terrace or a veranda. The client can also choose a cornice window, which is easy to turn into a balcony – we designed it for natural lighting of the second floor. In addition, there is a possibility for the construction of an attic window. The largest house with an area of 240 sq.m is a semi-detached townhouse for two families with an open staircase on the street for the second floor: with this configuration, two families or two generations of one family can live in the house, and each part of it can be autonomous.

We offered a restrained range of cladding materials for the townhouses. It is based on facing clinker brick in two shades. In the design of the facades, elements of wood of four different breeds are used to give each house an individuality. 3D brick masonry is an individual order for a client who can choose one of the proposed ornaments and make his house special. A seam roof is provided for houses.

The layouts of each type of townhouses are carefully thought out: the ergonomics and the scenarios that open up to its residents are important. Each house has its own laundry room and cellar, the hidden wardrobe rooms, freeing up additional space. An open kitchen is designed in the living room, and in some types of houses it is planned to place a fireplace and exit from the living room to the terrace. Additionally, a number of houses on the ground floor have home offices or guest bedrooms with a separate bathroom and dressing room.