Hotel Apartments

Active development of domestic tourism, especially in the country's most remote natural corners, requires effective, modern, and environmentally friendly solutions. As part of the master plan for Kamchatka's tourism development, the architectural bureau FANTALIS— drawing on its extensive regional experience and portfolio of landmark projects— has designed the compact Village hotel complex. It features cozy accommodations that embody the authentic spirit of a countryside retreat.

The site for the future project proved to be a hidden gem: no one could have guessed that a serene birch grove lay concealed behind the wild, overgrown thickets. The project's designers identified potential in this area—tourists who want to immerse themselves in nature and feel completely at one with it don't need a clear-cut field. During construction, the team made every effort to preserve every single tree and branch, carefully positioning the buildings to avoid harming the ancient birches. The result is not only environmentally efficient but also aesthetically pleasing—the century-old birch, integrated into the architecture, enhances the feeling of naturalness and harmony with nature.

The main challenge of the site was the trees themselves. Kamchatka birches are utterly different from those in central Russia. Harsh, windy conditions make survival a struggle, resulting in trees with gnarled, twisting forms and trunks far thicker than their mainland counterparts. This unique characteristic made it impossible to position the buildings according to the initial plan. Instead, the architects and the team engaged in a continuous process of surveying and navigating the grove. They meticulously adjusted the platform layouts so that a birch would be incorporated within a terrace, not in the building's footprint. This innovative approach allowed them to preserve each tree and avoid any felling. Thanks to this, the platforms of each guest house turned out to be completely different and unique.

The Village project features five distinct layout types. Each has been carefully designed and fully equipped to cater to the comfort of different guests: from standard houses for small groups of 2-3 people, to cozy studios, and spacious homes suitable for an entire family or a larger party.

Each apartment has a private terrace and panoramic windows overlooking the birch grove.
The buildings' designs also vary slightly: some modules feature pitched roofs, while others have flat ones.

Despite its five unique accommodation plans, the Village maintains a cohesive visual language. Through minimalist interiors, earthy tones, and raw natural materials, the design evokes the sensation of discovering a pristine, secluded world. Furthermore, the interiors feature a line of furniture custom-designed by the architects specifically for their own projects. When designing the interiors, the architects turned to solutions developed over years of working in Kamchatka: a primary focus on sustainability, practicality, and durability, which are particularly relevant for the region due to the complex logistics of materials and personnel.

Thermally modified timber was selected as the primary material for both exterior cladding and bathroom finishes.

In Kamchatka's harsh natural and climatic conditions, many materials fade rapidly. Drawing on years of regional experience, the architects chose to work with thermally modified wood, which is less susceptible to such damage. Over time, the material has developed a more refined, silvery-gray patina that harmonizes perfectly with the hues of the surrounding grove.

Developing tourism projects in natural settings carries a special responsibility, demanding high-quality, environmentally sensitive architectural solutions

Thanks to its thoughtful concept, the Village project offers a civilized retreat in the heart of the wilderness, all while maintaining a respectful and delicate touch towards the pristine surrounding environment.

Layouts

Master plan diagram of the complex