Two orange towers in a landscape of grey skyscrapers: In a densely populated area of Moscow, an unusual residential complex, named “The Dutch House”, is attracting attention.
With heights of 60 m and 75 m respectively, the two towers of the Dutch House appear modest and unassuming next to the surrounding buildings in Wellton Park in western Moscow and yet, the new residential development is impossible to miss – its warm shades of red and orange stand out amidst the dense grey mass of this relatively new and densely populated district.
Over a period of twenty years, a luxury residential quarter has gradually been emerging here, built by Russian property developer Krost. The Dutch House, with its two-storey underground car park, and 360 apartments, occupies 25,000 m2 of this area.
At the request of the client, the architecture of this pair of high-rise buildings in Wellton Park has a distinctly Dutch flavour. There is a repetitive rhythm to the bright orange brick façade of the apartment blocks, with a series of rounded bay windows that climb diagonally up the buildings.
The interplay of light and shade creates unique patterns on the bright façade, and the vertical rows of square windows are another motif in the design. The architects Team Paul de Vroom + Sputnik are behind this Dutch-inspired design, which is intended to add a little international flair to the district. Indeed, the facing bricks in two shades of orange were directly sourced in the Netherlands. However, the project itself was very much in line with the Russian approach: Russian rules for maximising daylight hours were used to decide the positioning and layout of the buildings.
The architectural team wanted to create a pleasant living environment in this space surrounded by skyscrapers, so the two buildings are connected at ground floor level by paths and green spaces. Some styles typical of the Amsterdam School have been translated into modern design features: the Dutch House has a typically clear design, with rounded elements, a sense of rhythmic repetition and strong vertical composition, along with the recurring motif of square windows.
The choice of materials – particularly the brick façade – and detailing also reflect the principles of the Amsterdam School. The communal areas inside are also a blend of Dutch and Russian styles – vertical lines, subtle lighting and three-dimensional tulips pattern on the walls. Heavy doors with wooden frames lend the entrance hall a classically elegant feel.
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