Located in the heart of Yekaterinburg, the Na Nekrasova residential quarter revitalizes a previously industrial area, transforming it into a vibrant and welcoming community space. The site, previously characterized by utility buildings and garages, sits near a railway, office buildings, a metro station, and a boating station on the quay.
Project Name: Na Nekrasova a modern interpretation of classic design
Studio Name: Brusnika
Location: Yekaterinburg, Russia
Design: 2019–2022
Completion: 2025
Project team:
Developer: Brusnika
Masterplan: KCAP Architects & Planners
Architecture: Nöfer Architekten, Brusnika. Design
Layouts: Brusnika. Design
Interiors: Brusnika. Design, Studio 40, ArkhiKuzhya
Landscape design: Greenhance
Construction: Brusnika
Photo: Maxim Loskutov, Albert Gabsatarov
In 2020, Brusnika initiated a redevelopment project aimed at seamlessly integrating this area into the city’s fabric, enhancing its safety, appeal, and overall quality of life. KCAP Architects & Planners, a Dutch firm, master-planned the site, dividing it into four distinct residential blocks surrounding a linear park. This park connects to a pedestrian bridge and a ravine with disused railway tracks, envisioned as a future recreational space, on one side, and a city square and a park adjacent to the Railway Administration building on the other. The Neo-Classic style of the Railway Administration building served as a key design influence, shaping the project’s overall aesthetic.
To complement this historical context while creating a contemporary architectural statement, Brusnika launched an international competition in 2018. Nöfer Architekten, a German firm, emerged as the winner, designing a unique urban quarter.
The quarter features a blend of high-rise towers and C-shaped row houses overlooking the park. The perimeter buildings range from 7 to 9 stories, maximizing natural light in the courtyards and fostering a sense of openness. The 17 to 25-story towers act as architectural landmarks, their striking nighttime illumination establishing the quarter’s presence within the cityscape.
The facades are executed in a Modern Classic style, balancing strict exterior lines with traditional elements to create a harmonious context. Ecru stucco forms the primary finish, while travertine cladding accents the base, varying in height from three to five floors in the towers to two in the row houses. The upper floors of the row houses are subtly shifted, creating attic spaces for duplex apartments and penthouses with private roof terraces. The tower tops are adorned with crown-like colonnades, featuring additional terraces and double-height apartment spaces. Elegant bay windows and French balconies with delicate metal railings add vertical emphasis, breaking down the building’s mass and enhancing its visual appeal. Intricate facade details, including ledges and recesses, play with light and shadow throughout the day.
Courtyard design varies depending on the building type. Row house courtyards are divided into two zones: a formal parterre with landscaped plants, fountains, and shrubs and a more intimate lounge area with natural trees and perennials. A central playground, gazebos, and wooden decks complete the space. Tower courtyards offer greater privacy, featuring separate recreational zones and play areas amidst lush greenery. Many lower-floor apartments enjoy private terraces and street entrances, enhancing convenience and accessibility.
Landscaping plays a pivotal role, with plants accounting for approximately 70% of the courtyard space. Inspired by traditional garden design, the plantings are meticulously arranged with a focus on geometric patterns and seasonal variety. Layered planting and the inclusion of evergreens and ornamental grasses ensure a visually captivating landscape throughout the year, further enhanced by warm lighting.
The linear park, the heart of the quarter, connects the courtyards and provides a continuous public space. It features play and sports facilities, jogging and cycling paths, a fountain, pergolas, and landscaped areas. Cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets lining the park further activate the space.
The design extends to the interior spaces, including the entrance halls and underground parking. Entrance halls are bathed in a light beige palette, with stained glass frames, decorative elements, and wall moldings contributing to the geometric theme. Nordic influences are apparent in the use of stainless steel details, complementing the French balcony railings and facade window designs. A resident lounge provides a space for socializing or waiting for deliveries.
The underground parking, treated as an extension of the residential experience, is not a mere utility space. Its light-colored interior, punctuated by openwork grids and dark granite-clad columns, mirrors the aesthetic of the entrance halls and the building facades.
The Na Nekrasova quarter stands as a testament to contemporary architectural design and urban planning. It is a unique and self-sufficient urban area that enhances Yekaterinburg with its innovative architecture and vibrant public spaces.
