Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2020
Emerald Equestrian Complex
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: ALPN Ltd./Architectural laboratory of Polina Nozdracheva Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 48,922
- Verification code C64628852E · Verify this award
About Emerald Equestrian Complex
Holistic architectural & spatial projects image unites all six equestrian buildings reveals functional identity of each. Extended facades of arenas & stables directed to administrative composite core. Six-sided building as crystal grid rests in wooden frame as in necklace. Wall triangles decorated with scattering of glass as emerald details. Curved white construction highlights main entrance. Facades grid also is part of inner space, where environment perceived through transparent web. Interiors continue theme of wooden structures, using scale of elements to more proportionate human scale.
Emerald Equestrian Complex by Polina Nozdracheva represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary architectural discourse, demonstrating how computational design methodologies can be reconciled with time-honored craft traditions to create spaces of profound atmospheric resonance. The work engages with the rich heritage of timber construction, transforming the familiar vocabulary of wooden framework into a luminous geometric tapestry that mediates between interior program and exterior environment. The designer appears to have drawn upon parametric design principles, employing the diagrid structural system not merely as engineering solution but as expressive architectural language, where each triangular module contributes to a larger visual rhythm that animates the entire façade. The integration of linear illumination along structural members suggests a sophisticated understanding of how light can reveal and celebrate construction logic, transforming pragmatic joinery into ornamental delight. The sculptural white element positioned before the timber screen creates a carefully calibrated dialogue between organic warmth and geometric precision, between the handcrafted and the machined, inviting consideration of architecture's capacity to synthesize seemingly opposing material sensibilities. The reflective forecourt extends the compositional field, suggesting that the architecture's influence radiates beyond its physical boundaries to engage the broader landscape. Technical accomplishment is evident in the precise resolution of timber connections, the consistent module dimensioning, and the seamless integration of electrical systems within the structural members. This work invites viewers to contemplate how architectural innovation might honor material heritage while embracing contemporary technological possibilities, and how equestrian programs might be housed within structures that elevate functional necessity to the realm of spatial poetry.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Functionality of complex is reflected into urban and architecture. Extended facades of arenas and stables directed to central composite core as administrative block. Six-sided case-precious emerald rests in golden setting-necklace. Wall's triangles ornament scattering of bright pieces of glass into kaleidoscope. When approaching it turns into crystal. Curved white wing accentuates main entrance. Inside of crystal structure of facade grid the environment is perceived through transparent scale.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Projected area - 5,0 ha
The maximum height of the projected object - 15.95 m
Dimensions of the complex - 180 m x 100 m
Total area - 6 500 sq. m
Construction volume - 47 500 m
Large indoor arena (working part) - 65 m x 25 m
Two round playpens with a diameter of 18 m
Round demonstration arena in the central part - 15 m diameter. - Tags
- equestrian, wooden_architecture, alpn, sustainability, sport, emerald, emerald_forest, horses, ecology, polina_nozdracheva
- Production Technology
- Main requirement is environmental friendliness. Such determined choice of main construction material-wood. Task is to connect large-span glued wooden structures with original & non-repeating design of each of six blocks. As conclusion is creation of unique spectacular image of entire complex, which "plays" with faces like emerald. Composition center - 2-stories administrative block with maximum use of wooden material of main load-bearing structures, facade ornament & decorative elements.
- Design Challenge
- Creation single architectural &spatial project image that is unites all buildings &simultaneously reveals functional identity of each.Central block as core of entire structure does not only because of its position, but due to drawing of details &silhouette.Color scheme is close to natural one,limited by wooden shades. Emerald-grey pitched roofs echo greenery of surrounding emerald forest.Interiors continue idea of wooden facade structures,adjusting elements scale to be more proportionate human.
- Project Duration
- The project started in October 2017 in Moscow, Russia.
Expert conclusion: December 2018 and July 2019, Moscow, Russia;
The construction is started in December 2018 - present.
Location - Klin region, Russia. - Operation Flow
- Object is included in large recreational complex with area of more than 200 ha. Visitors are professional athletes and people who spend only weekend and are far from equestrian sports, including families with children & disabled. Logistics of the space developed and security issues taken into account. There is excluded intersection of movement paths of humans & animals. Movement on territory only on foot or in electric cars, for official transport there is separate driveway & entrance to site.
- Research
- Features of landscape & climatic conditions of design region studied in detail. This made it possible, using technologies and materials, to achieve greater energy efficiency of building. Layout option packages make it possible to follow each temperature and humid conditions without hindering internal transit staff, athletes and animals, including winter, which is extremely important for Moscow region. Dismembered structure of complex suggests possibility of using separate buildings for other events.
- Inspiration
- Urban design structure of complex is determined by terrain of territory through prism of horse technology. Territory is extended shape. Complex is functional division into six blocks with stables, arenas and central administrative block that serves as connecting core for all buildings. Due to requirements of technology and logistics, complex structure is similar to crystal lattice of mineral, enlarged by billions of times. This coincidence suggested main idea is gem which sparkling its facets.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: EMERALD. Main facade with the main entrance.
Image #2: EMERALD. Total view from the main pedestrian line along the grand indoor arena.
Image #3: EMERALD. Central building. Main entrance.
Image #4: EMERALD. Interior. View from the second level to the facade structure (wooden grid).
Image #5: EMERALD. Facade details. - Patents
- Patented. Patent No. #544-388-872. Patent Holder - ALPN Ltd., 07, April 2019. N'RIS.
Copyright belong to Polina Nozdracheva and ALPN Ltd., 2018.
Colors of Emerald Equestrian Complex
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Design Interview about Emerald Equestrian Complex
Due to requirements of technology and logistics, complex structure is similar to crystal lattice of mineral, enlarged by billions of times. This coincidence suggested main idea is gem which sparkling its facets.
Creation single architectural &spatial project image that is unites all buildings &simultaneously reveals functional identity of each.Central block as core of entire structure does not only because of its position, but due to drawing of details and silhouette.Color scheme is close to natural one,limited by wooden shades. Emerald-grey pitched roofs echo greenery of surrounding emerald forest.Interiors continue idea of wooden facade structures,adjusting elements scale to be more proportionate human.
The biggest reward for an architect is to see how the project he created lives and functions.
Working process lasted almost four years.
The project started in 2017.
Expert conclusion: December 2018 and July 2019.
The construction is started in December 2018 and was finished at the begining of January 2021.
The project started in 2017.
Expert conclusion: December 2018 and July 2019.
The construction is started in December 2018 and was finished at the begining of January 2021.
The Client liked our concept and this idea was chosen for further development and implementation.
It's impossible. The project is unique and cannot be reused. The copyright for this project is registered in the national register of intellectual property.
It is very simple. The Client's order for the development of project documentation of the object with such functional purpose.
This is a team of professionals who work at ALPN Ltd.
This project was doing for ALPN Ltd. The contract between ALPN Ltd. and the Client is closed information.
This architectural concept is unique, has a very strong philosophical meaning of each developed element, which are associated with the urban planning concept and complex functionality.
The architectural concept itself suggested the name of the complex. And then - the name of the complex helped to create unique architectural elements and details.
Main requirement is environmental friendliness. Such determined choice of main construction material-wood. Task is to connect large-span glued wooden structures with original & non-repeating design of each of six blocks.
Functionality of complex is reflected into urban and architecture. Extended facades of arenas and stables directed to central composite core as administrative block. Six-sided case-precious emerald rests in golden setting-necklace. Wall's triangles ornament scattering of bright pieces of glass into kaleidoscope. When approaching it turns into crystal. Inside of crystal structure of facade grid the environment is perceived through transparent scale.
Working on such a large project is always the work of a large team of professionals, where the architect always plays the main role.
Main requirement is environmental friendliness. Such determined choice of main construction material-wood. Task is to connect large-span glued wooden structures with original & non-repeating design of each of six blocks. As conclusion is creation of unique spectacular image of entire complex, which "plays" with faces like emerald. Composition center - 2-stories administrative block with maximum use of wooden material of main load-bearing structures, facade ornament & decorative elements.
I draw all the ideas for creating an architectural project from the environment, being inspired by the natural environment of which we are a part. Here, too, the main conceptual line is the emerald and the structure of this precious material.
The biggest problem for any architect is that the implementation of the project and its construction according to the design documentation developed in all details should be carried out without optimization, losses and simplification of the originally conceived architectural idea.
This is not the first time I have participated in this competition. It is pleasure for me to show our projects, which are the part of my life, to professionals from all over the world.
An architect is a profession that you have been studying all your life. With each new project, you will master this profession more and more and learn more about the meaning of life and the beauty of the world around us.
Thanks for your questions. The list of questions allowed me to tell about this project EMERALD in as much detail as possible.