Greenhouse and Museum Visit-Center

Yaroslavl State Technical University

Project idea

Location: Russia, Yaroslavl region, Karabikha

The Greenhouse and the Wine Warehouse - today, are both a ruined red brick building on the borders of the park of the estate of N. A. Nekrasov. They are important visual markers in the sparse estate development.
These ruined buildings are located on the borders of the cultural heritage site. That being said, the wine warehouse flanks the estate's eastern entrance and is the first building we encounter at the main entrance. The greenhouse also connects the main axis, stretching from the main building of the estate.

The cultural heritage ruins of the Nekrasov manor are monuments of federal significance and they are included in the Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage Objects.

Project description

The greenhouse retains its original function, while the western wing is reserved for a small coffee house-garden, since there is no place on the estate and in the surrounding area where one could relax and enjoy the views. The central part begins with a vestibule, brought into the ground part of the belvedere, then already inside the main room we immediately see a staircase to the observation deck, and behind it are bathrooms hidden behind false walls. On the right hand at the entrance there is a greenhouse with various types of plants, places for relaxation and a small stage for the possibility of holding musical evenings. On the left hand is a coffee shop for 25-30 people, then a bar counter and kitchen and staff rooms.

The presence of plants in the greenhouse in combination with frosted glass creates an incredible illusion of the absence of matter and maximum unification with nature.

The wine warehouse no longer carries its historical function, which is inherent in the name, now this building becomes a museum visitor center at the entrance to the estate and an open archive, with the possibility of arranging lectures.

Inside the building is conditionally divided into two parts, the left one is given over to an open archive, in the same part there is a stage for possible lectures and performances. On the right side, a staircase with the possibility of rest is installed, it is intended both for the rest of visitors and lectures, and its side parts serve as passages to the second floor. The second floor is a footbridge along the height of the supposed second floor of the ruin. Behind the main staircase is a visitor center.

Technical information

The greenhouse is “dressed” in translucent frosted glass to create the most neutral background. The presence of plants in the greenhouse in combination with frosted glass creates an incredible illusion of the absence of matter and maximum unification with nature.

For wine warehouse we chose smooth gray concrete as the wall material, which, in contrast to the red torn brick of the warehouse. The roofing is gray, folded, matte, its texture is the most suitable for the selected concrete, merging with it into a single whole, and creating a single neutral background.