Located in the European Riverfront in russian city Novosibirsk, the community centre is intended for residents of four urban villas standing in close quarters. It is a pilot project Brusnika is running to verify the need for a district centre in the 32-house estate. Two similar projects have proved viable in the Moscow region and Tyumen.

The centre of 140,5 metres square sits on the ground floor of one of the urban villas. The architects planned it to create extra facilities for residents and promote good neighbourly relations. The community centre is perfect for organising movie nights, taking decisions about running the house or using it for work, lectures, workshops, or birthday parties. The civic area expands the frontiers of apartments, providing extra space to play with children on a rainy day, do homework or take a private lesson. Brainstorming ideas for a start-up or holding a meeting is just another option.

The interior was designed jointly by Brusnika and Shubochkini studio. It creates a local third place, emanating cosiness, comfort and safety.

The room comprises several functions - however, its layout is flexible with no strict zoning. There is a living room, a workshop area, a kitchen and a dining room, a playroom and a variable co-working space. A small room is equipped for live recording, making Tik-Tok videos and podcasts, and holding online meetings. Space division is practical with curtain partitioning, contrasting colours and mobile furniture.

A sizeable curvilinear dining table dominates the room. Its shape is perfect for seating big companies of friends and neighbours. In the centre, it features a tree, a symbol of life.

Solid materials, standing up to wear and tear of day-to-day use, are the choice for the interior and furniture of the community centre. Accents in textiles, upholstery, and accessories complement wooden furniture of warm hues. The space is designed in subdued earthy colours: light and charcoal grey, beige, grass green and russet. The wall paint is washable, which makes it easy to restore in case of abrasion, and the grey quartz vinyl is the choice for flooring.

Due to panoramic windows, the interior is multi-level. The windows are easily accessible, with no encumbering furniture, so the room is light and spacious. The lighting is also split-level to accommodate a range of scenarios: work, leisure, or various events.

The European Riverfront community centre will encourage residents to spend more time within their neighbourhood, where they can work, study and attend locally held events. The concept is consistent with the globally accepted mixed-use principle, which Brusnika abides by in all its projects.

Credits

Project team
Interiors: Shubochkini studio and Brusnika. Design
Completion: Brusnika
Photo: Natalia Bochkova

Volumetric data
Gross floor area: 140,5 m2

Furniture and materials
Doors: PROFILDOOR
Door hardware: MORELLI
Bespoke furniture: Annihaus, Leroy Merlin
Quartz vinyl flooring: ONEFLOOR ECO
Paint: DERUFA
Interior lighting and decor: La Redoute
Power points and switches: Schneider Electric Atlas Design Systeme
Bathroom fixtures: Grossman, Lemark, Jacob Delafon, Omoikiri

Design
2021

Completion
2022–2023