Residence in Svetlogorye village GL-RESIDENCE The project for a private residence in Svetlogorye village includes the renovation of a typical cottage, an interior design of 234 m2 and the landscaping of a 0.2 ha plot. The architectural design takes contextuality as its main theme. All the key elements of the residence are in scale and harmony with the surroundings. Architecture. The main object is a residential cottage, which has been refurbished without changing the construction footprint. The building has been visually and functionally transformed through several changes. By widening the window openings, the interior is now filled with natural light, significantly reducing the energy use of the project. The use of natural materials in the façade has transformed the character of the building: clad in stone and broached pine tree, the cottage has become a natural extension of its surroundings. Landscape. The multi-layered landscape of the site is a reflection of the wild forest that surrounds the area on three sides. The natural surroundings determined the choice of a monochrome colour scheme and natural materials in the finishes: clinker, minerals and brushed thermo pine in the house cladding. The tall black pines planted along the perimeter almost blur this boundary. The porch, flowerbeds in the front, pine footings, steps, and additional entrance to the house help architecturally shape the space around the main dominant feature - the house. To 'balance' the house and to blend it in with the landscape, the designers used geoplastics with benching and created multiple levels. The house stands on a slight elevation, with the lawn and lounge area arranged in rows below. The area, therefore, has more beautiful viewpoints and intimate spaces, separated from each other by distinct rows of cotoneaster. INRE always emphasises the changing seasons in their landscape projects. Evergreen conifers form the framework of the site, with varying accents of alternating blossoming plants in the background. In winter, trees covered in snow and decorated with string lights create a winter fairy-tale atmosphere and uplift one's mood. Mobile furniture enables the seasonal use of the grounds, while the lounge area around the open fire is available to residents and guests of the residence all year round. The designers have also included winter decoration of the site: structures shaped like gift boxes protect the delicate rhododendrons from the cold and create a festive atmosphere during the long Russian winter. The varying evening lighting scenarios can make the landscape look completely different: trees with curved trunks cast playful shadows on the brick façade, furniture groups illuminated in the dark seem even cosier and hidden paths in the bushes come to life. Lighting around the seating and hearth areas creates a floating effect. When a fire is lit, the red-orange RGB lighting resembles its reflection and looks particularly bewitching. Everything is designed to unlock the potential of a place, connecting it with nature and creating a sense of harmony and inner freedom. Interior. The interior design is based on a planned paradox. While the exterior of the terrace and paths uses unconventional light colours, erasing the feeling of 'outdoors', the interior is dominated by darker tones. With this technique, spaces flow seamlessly from one to the other without creating an obvious inside/outside contrast. The ground floor of the house accommodates the common areas - the living room with a fireplace, dining room, kitchen and poker room. Neutral, natural-toned materials are used in the space, echoing the house's finish: grey marble, brushed parquet flooring, wood panelling with a pronounced texture and a dense coat of dark paint. A soft, comfortable space is created around the hearth, a feeling created by the textured, embossed travertine used to decorate the fireplace. The natural effect is accentuated by the panoramic windows with a view of conifers. The design of the poker room, which can also serve as a cinema room, uses more emotional colours, evoking a feeling of energy and excitement. The first floor is private. There is a master bedroom with a fireplace and bathroom, two dressing rooms and two guest rooms. The interior, like the overall design, is not based on trends, but on the lasting beauty of classic functionality. While working with the INRE team, the clients became so interested in modern design that they not only got to know almost all European manufacturers of their furniture personally but also decided to connect their professional activities with design in the future. Designers have used next engineering solutions to make the project ecofriendly. Energy efficient LED lights fitted in the rooms. The rooms are positioned in a way to encourage cross ventilation of air circulation should the owners choose to turn off their air-conditions. The bathroom fixtures have conservation features. Rainwater is recyclied and sewage treatment plant water recycling are done. The concept behind this project is Living Close to Nature. While designing the site all measures have been taken into consideration to conserve the natural environment.