House N in Moscow was completely updated by studio 4a Architekten by removing all the non-bearing interior walls and creating large expanses of glass on the exterior walls. Originally built in the 1990’s, the 3 levels of the home are all tied together with a new large spiral staircase that is both a functional piece of the architecture, but also a stunning piece of sculpture. Rising up from the whitewashed flooring and the soft white surround of the walls, the spiral staircase makes a dramatic and impressive statement.
The second level of the home has a mezzanine that looks over the living space below before joining up with the stairwell. The balustrade of the stairwell and mezzanine offer a hard lined geometric pattern against the sensuous curves of the stairwell. To add to the vertical drama, the furnishings are kept to a low profile and a cascading chandelier drips casually from the ceiling over the seating area.
The hard triangular lines of the balustrade are repeated in the use of beam supports that are clustered tight at the main floor before angling out for a looser grouping on the ceiling. This additional vertical statement is a modern approach to a necessary support structure that plays nicely off of the chandelier and the stairwell. The chandelier too, cascades down in a triangular or conical shape. A sculpture on the coffee table below looks up and ponders the view.
From the street, the cluster of support beams is clearly visible through the large expanse of windows. Here, an entry ramp on one end and a flight of stairs on the other add to the angular feel of the home.
Even the original roof-line plays nicely off all the newly introduced angles of the home’s new additions.
