Near Moscow, the residential complex “LUMIERE” has emerged — a project where
architecture and atmosphere are directly tied to the world of cinema. Its inspiration is easy to spot: a legendary film studio is located nearby. It not only suggested the project’s name but also influenced its visual language.
Project Name: LUMIERE
Studio Name: VSA.studio
Location: Novaya Riga, Moscow
Year: 2023
Status: finished construction
The façades are adorned with unusual details — medallions, cameras, and spotlights reminiscent of film sets. Every element seems to reference a movie frame, creating the impression that life itself turns into a film.
Yet “cinematic quality” is not the only idea behind the project. The architects from
VSA.studio, together with the client, set themselves an ambitious goal, rarely seen in
Moscow’s development practice: to combine the convenience of urban housing with the
coziness of a suburban home. In an environment where nature is rapidly giving way to dense development, they chose to build not on the surrounding landscape, but on imagery. This led to an association with the suburbs of London — quiet streets, elegant houses with spacious terraces, and leafy trees along the sidewalks.
In “LUMIERE”, there are no endless high-rises or feelings of overcrowding. On the contrary,
the architecture is intimate and carefully thought out. The complex seems tailor-made for
those tired of the bustle of the metropolis, yet unwilling to give up its rhythm and
opportunities entirely.
The key value of “LUMIERE” is balance. Residents are offered what is usually lacking in the
city center: a private home with a terrace, where one can spend an evening with a glass of
wine or enjoy a family breakfast in the open air. The number of neighbors is kept to a
minimum, while a green alley in the courtyard creates a sense of privacy. At the same time,
it’s only a thirty-minute drive to central Moscow. The result is a pleasant combination: on one hand — privacy, tranquility, and the feeling of belonging to a small community; on the other — proximity to all the cultural, business, and social opportunities of the metropolis.
