THE VILLAGE / FANTALIS Architects

The active development of domestic tourism, especially to the country's most remote natural corners, requires efficient, modern, and eco-friendly solutions. As part of the tourism development master plan for Kamchatka, the architectural bureau FANTALIS, which already has extensive experience implementing projects in this region and a number of landmark projects under its belt, developed a small hotel settlement, Village—cozy facilities that match the atmosphere of a true getaway outside the city.

The territory of the future project turned out to be a gem among stones: it was impossible to predict that a birch grove was hidden behind the wild thickets. The project's authors saw the potential in this territory—tourists who want to immerse themselves in nature and fully feel at one with it don't need a cleared field. During construction, the authors tried to preserve every tree and branch, placing buildings so as not to damage the centuries-old birches. The result was not only environmentally effective but also aesthetically pleasing—the ancient birch, integrated into the architecture, enhances the feeling of naturalness and harmony with nature.

The difficulty of working with the territory lay in the trees themselves: birches in Kamchatka are completely different from those growing in central Russia—due to the harsh, windy conditions in which even trees struggle to survive, Kamchatka birches become twisted, and their trunks are much thicker than our familiar ones. Because of this, it was impossible to position the building immediately according to the plan: the architects, together with the team, endlessly checked, went around the trees, moved the platforms so that the birch would be on the terrace, not within the building's perimeter—this solution allowed the tree to be preserved and avoid cutting down. Thanks to this, the platforms of each guest house turned out completely different.

In the Village project, 5 types of layout solutions were used, each developed and equipped with everything necessary for the comfort of different audiences: standard houses for a small company of two or three people, a cozy studio, a house for the whole family, or for a large company. Each apartment has a private exit to a terrace and panoramic windows offering views of the birch grove.

The building structures also differ slightly from each other: some modules use pitched roofs, others flat roofs.
Although the Village project consists of 5 different layout types, they are all maintained in the same style: minimalist interiors, natural shades, and natural materials recreate the feeling of being in an untouched corner of the planet. In addition, the interior furnishings include a line of furniture custom-made to the architects' order specifically for their own projects. Working on the interiors, the architects turned to solutions developed over years of work in Kamchatka: the main focus is on eco-friendliness, practicality, and durability, which are especially relevant for the region due to the complexity of material and personnel logistics.

Thermowood was chosen as the main material for finishing the facades and bathrooms. In Kamchatka's natural and weather conditions, many materials fade, so, based on many years of experience working in the region, the architects chose to work with thermowood, which is less susceptible to damage. Over time, the material changed shade to a more noble gray, which perfectly combines with the shade of the surrounding grove.

Creating tourism projects in natural areas is a special responsibility, requiring high-quality and eco-friendly architectural solutions. Thanks to its concept, the Village project creates an opportunity for civilized recreation in the wild, with a careful attitude towards the pristine environment around it.

Source: https://locusmagazine.ru/tpost/cddkpjnp71-the-village-fantalis-architects