Hatogoya - The project of the Cottage

Yaroslavl State Technical University

Project idea

The aim was to design a cottage for a family with two children, where the client was the author of the project himself. The architect needed to create a space for his "fictional family" that would reflect his aesthetic preferences. At the same time, the mansion had to be versatile in terms of functionality, suitable for any family, not just the architect's family. As a result, plastic and rhythmic patterns were combined with standardised functional areas.

Project description

It all starts with the topography. The rhythmic crushing of the sloping ground surface contrasts with the overhanging cantilever of the cottage. This creates a conflict between nature and the man-made structure, causing a vivid emotional impression.

One of the important elements is a high-rise dominant in the form of a dovecote. This "tower" on thin columns refers to Japanese minimalism, which gave the name of the project "Hatogoya" (from Japanese translates as dovecote). It is important to note that the owner of the mansion can change the function of the object, turning it into an office, a tea house or a creative studio.

Above the central space of the cottage there is a glass dome, which fills the interior space with light and creates the feeling of a large free space. Underneath is a small winter garden - an oasis of nature in an artificial space.

The roof also plays an important functional role. In the cold season, the glass dome serves as an invisible barrier protecting from precipitation and cold air. In the warm season, it opens up, blurring the boundary between nature and the interior of the mansion.

Technical information

The structure of the building is a combination of concrete, glass and aluminium, all materials are light grey in colour to the touch. All the lines of the building are strictly at right angles or 45 degrees, reflecting the author's love of simplicity, geometric regularity and at the same time deformations of various kinds.

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