'tower block' by de architekten cie. and SVESMI, the winning design in the high density category for the A101 competition in moscow, russia
all images courtesy de architekten cie. and SVESMI


in a collaborative effort between amsterdam-based practice de architekten cie. and
rotterdam-based SVESMI, three designs for a residential community have won
first prize and an honorable mention in both the low and high density categories
for the project a101 competition. targeted for a new city of 150,000 people in
immediate proximity to moscow, russia, the projects share a common goal of
enhancing the local social infrastructure.



view of the inner courtyard


for the high density category, 'tower block' is a reinterpretation of the classical
european block with four tower buildings arranged around an inner courtyard.
the height of the individual towers are variable depending on the density
requirements and solar access. with a constant perimeter height of six storeys,
the community housing block still maintains a human-scaled profile along the street.



axonometric drawing of 'tower block'



schematic diagram walking from low to medium to high density



(left) ground floor plan
(right) typical floor plan



transversal section through tower



transversal section



west elevation



'eurika' by de architekten cie. and SVESMI, an honourable mention for the A101 competition in moscow, russia


earning an honourable mention, 'eurika' extracts qualities from two already
established typologies: the scale of a standard 5-storey soviet layout combined
with the spacious parameters of a classical european courtyard. the resulting
proposal makes clear distinction between the private and public/street space
while providing a safe common courtyard for the tenants.



view of the courtyard



axonometric drawing of 'eurika'



schematic diagram



(top left) access: the private stairways are only accessed from the inner court which maintain security
of the block with the two entrances watched over.
(bottom left) corners: the number of corner units are increased by creating multiple autonomous volumes.
commercial shops, cafe, restaurants, gym, etc. occupy the corners on the street level.
(top right) parking: covered parking is provided in the half-sunken floor of the courtyard
(bottom right) courtyard: project proposes extra investment in fully-grown trees to enhance the feeling of the block. 



(left) ground floor plan
(right) typical floor plan



flexibility of the units - same structure, same communication cores, multiple housing possibilities



north-east section



east elevatiom



north elevation



'six of a kind' by de architekten cie. and SVESMI, the winning design in the low density category for the A101 competition in moscow, russia


winning first place in the low-density category is 'six of a kind', a design that
proposes subdividng the block into smaller scaled objects. featuring six protruding
structures on top of parking, street level commercial and live/work units,
the project facilitates maximum solar access and views for every inhabitant.
a central strip of greenery serves as a communal garden.



view from the collective garden



axonometric drawing of 'six of a kind'



built on a 6.6m x .6m grid, the position of the shafts provide freedom for the units to be extended.



(left) ground floor plan
(right) typical floor plan



the units are based on a 6.6m x 6.6m grid, totaling 500 m2 per floor. each floor can accommodate 4-6 units in many different configurations



longitudinal section



elevation