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Confectionery. Saint Petersburg, 2016

 

Unlike Moscow, St. Petersburg is a very tourist friendly town with the widest variety of hospitality spots targeted at the town's guests. 

Recently we received a project to create a space for a Portuguese chef cafe. This would have been a plain no challenge job if it wasn't for one specific wish: it must not look like Moscow originated design. Should you not know, all three partners of Noor Architects were born and raised in Moscow.

The concept of secondary school for 750 places for Comprehension Architectural Competition. Moscow, 2016
 

The project school building is a modern complex combining cutting-edge construction technology, innovative organization of educational process, leisure and recreation for children.
The main ideas behind the concept were the safety of the school building, its ergonomics, and functionality. The compact layout and trafficable roof functioning as a schoolyard increase the level of protection and comfort for the children who do not need to leave the school building before the end of the classes. The rooftop schoolyard is surrounded by a durable transparent fence with a minimum height of 1.6 meters. Within the fence can be placed display items and equipment, such as a telescope, a greenhouse, a playground, a dovecote, and exercise equipment.
The school zoning is designed in such a way as to divide the flow of primary and secondary (senior) students. The sports zone has an additional entrance from the street allowing visitors to enter the school during the after-hours and limiting their access to the main building.
Multifunctionality and transformability of the space are the most prominent features of the architectural and planning solutions: for example, the function of the assembly hall can be accomplished by the first floor gymnasium (with a fold-out tribune) or by the library reading room (for smaller gatherings), or the first floor recreation hall where children and adults gather for public events (Knowledge Day, Farewell Bell, etc). If necessary, these three zones can be combined.
The illumination of the studios and gyms is carried out by means of Solatube SkyVault optical fiber light guide. Equipped with optical amplifiers, it transmits sunlight at a distance of up to 30 meters. This solution provides the insolation and illumination similar to standard skylights. However in comparison with skylights, optical fiber light guide occupies significantly less space (hole area takes up just 1.5% - 2% of the roof surface) and is easier to maintain.
The building framework consists of metal columns and beams (with structural fire protection) spaced at intervals of 7,2 m. External self-bearing walls are built with BENPAN and BENPAN + panels. The facade is finished with the use of 600x600 mm metal cassettes and in bulk-tinted plaster.

 

Awards:

Special Mention Prize

Innovation and Industrial Design Center by the National University of Science and Technology MISiS. Москва, 2015

 

Innovation and Industrial Design Center situated in the heart of Moscow. The object has passed state examination and is currently under construction. Black metal ingot, which transforms under the influence of fusion temperature, baring its internal structure, forms the basis of the concept of the building. Rectangular in plan it is designed as a single volume, a monolith with complex internal structure and plain exterior. Flat skylights above the outdoor terrace are reminiscent of steel plant blast furnaces. A display of industrial facilities will be situated on podiums below them. In this project we combined industrial style and modern technological solutions. The Center is divided vertically in accordance with functionality and the hierarchy. This project has been developed in co-operation with MIT Boston.

Press: "PROJECT RUSSIA" Magazine

Avialeasing Representative Office. Federation Tower. Moscow, 2012

 

The company has been operating for nearly 20 years solving specific air transportation assignments. It holds 19 own aircrafts and helicopters, delivers humanitary goods for UN, performs emergency evacuation and provides various transportation services for oil and gas companies. 

Most of the furniture was made of used aviation details.

The whole process from sketch to its realisation took 3 months. This achievement was based on understanding and trust between architects and company owner. As of 2015, this office space is occupied by cinematographers at least every second weekend. The meeting room has been filmed by the most notorious film directors of Russia,  management offices welcomed both heroes and villains on screen and it was never re-decorated for any of films. Office takes 392 sq m and situated on 24th floor of Federation Tower.

 

Press: The Village

Noor Electro (Cocktail Bar & Gallery). Moscow, 2014

 

Noor ​B​ar Electro ​i​s located on the first floor of Stanislavsky Drama Theatre in Moscow. It was designed and built by NOOR Architects team during the reconstruction of the theater and it became twice as large as the former chamber bar, while maintaining its concept of gallery bar. Noor bar name was inspired by NOORimages photographers, and later the bar took upon the name Electro after the renewed Electrotheatre Stanislavsky, reminding us of the first Russian cinema theatre ARS, that was situated in the building a hundred years ago. In order to create an eclectic, alive space that would interact with all of the Electrotheatre building it was necessary to find a common stylistic approach. The dominant elements constitute a reflection of Chicago Art Deco: a white tile bar counter, a metal multi-level table in the buffet area, a scenic moulding with hand drawn Indian patterns, custom glass and metal chandeliers, as well as facetted mirrors and brass. Numerous objects with a conspicuous industrial character were used in the interior creating an atmosphere of movement of working mechanisms. Each of them has a specific function: fan-lamps, rotating vitrines of glass and metal, illuminators embedded in the base of the bar, smoke machines, ice tank bath with drinking water installation. Despite the abundance of such items, they do not crowd the bar space thanks to their dynamism.

 

Historical information:  In 1939, Tverskaya street's width was stretched up to  39,5 meters. Back then it was a narrow street called Gorky. The building of Electrotheater Stanislavsky (Tverskaya,23) was physically moved along. The house was detached from it's foundation and pipelines (gas, water), lifted with a custom jacking system, and then railed down on special wheels onto the new foundation. The movement was managed by Emmanuel Gendel, Soviet engineer, director of special building movement and deconstruction trust. During restoration the double beams became uncovered. Part of them are on the photograph.

Awards:

Afisha Award "Best in Moscow": 2012, 2013, 2014.

Time Out Award "Menu & Bill" 2010, The Best Cocktail Bar.

TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence": 2015, 2016

BARPROOF Award "Best Bar Design" 2016

Press:

Lonely Planet

Afisha Daily

Time Out

Kommersant

Chukotka Regional Office of the Red Cross Organization of Russia. Egvekinot, 2013

In reply to the existent for years social request for re-habilitation network in north, we have created the first adequate architectural project, that would be performable. As a base ground for the first Chukotka re-habilitation center the Egvekinot village was selected. It's a special location that unites the end and the beginning of the earth day. The building is sketched by the principals of Chukotka "Yaranga" - with the fire source in the center and diverse departments separately targeted for specified purposes (dining, sleep, study, work). The specifics of this kind of construction is a need to consider the powers of the surrounding nature: not only the bears, but even local rabbits, with their amounts and health, are a force of nature that the building needs to be prepared for.

Press: РБК

Sky Saver Project. For eVolo Magazine Skyscraper Competition, 2011.


The project is situated in Saint-Petersburg, a city with recognizable and treasured skyline. Our idea is to find reconciliation between the historic and the modern. A space that will allow to create a new landmark every night.


Concept: When the city’s skyline vanishes in the dark of night the Skyscraper reveals itself. A skyscraper that is made of light. Any skyscraper is a triumph over matter, a challenge
of gravity, a vertical that gains victory over a horizontal. We create a skyscraper that needs no walls, which rather ascends than erects, which symbolizes a triumph of spirit over the matter, aspiration over affirmation, open space over monumental structure.

The idea is to recreate Nienshanz Fortress that existed on that spot before. The fort will host a city museum and a tourist information center. A zeppelin floating over the
fortress will hold a lightweight super-strong net on steel strings (which are stored in the fortress courtyard during the daytime) that will reflect light and laser projections.
Light becomes a material of the skyscraper which can be turned on and off. With SMS vote citizens and visitors can pick a symbol for the night. Anybody’s image and/or anything can be displayed in the sky. Choose a monument you like, choose your history, choose a new architecture of the city – choose light.

Awards:

Special Mention Prize

Infrared Countermeasure System (IRCM). Moscow, 2012

 

IRCM is an industrial design object, which is used in civil and military aviation. Its design has been developed specifically for Avialeasing company. IRCM (a means of infrared countermeasure) is an aircraft system designed to counter missiles with infrared homing head. It automatically detects the missile, determines whether they present a threat to the aircraft, and activates a powerful laser to create interference for the infrared seeker. This is one of the most advanced and effective aircraft protection devices. The system can be used in small helicopters as well as large cargo aircrafts and top public officials airliners.

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