Seni: Inspired by 12th-century local architecture, I designed the entrance hallway with rusty metal panels to create a dark, cold atmosphere. The central part of the corridor, the house's "epicenter," features a granite inlay on the floor that slows you down and prompts you to consider your direction. This inlay also references a local fairy tale, "bylina," where a stone at a crossroads reveals one's path and fate.

The living room has very few items that can be moved, most of the furniture “grows” out of the floor and has the same finish. It is a reference to the traditional “izba” house, where almost all of the furniture was built-in. The only movable item was the table. Same principle was applied here.

Only by connecting the past, the present and the future can you create a modern space - a space that reflects the reality and where you feel like you belong, like you are one with it, like you are present in the current moment.

The silence and emptiness of Valaam create a unique atmosphere that is unmatched anywhere else.

The untamed wilderness here is majestic, and the serene presence of towering pine trees and colossal rocks instills tranquility. The silence and emptiness of this place create a unique atmosphere that is unmatched anywhere else.

The shape of the kitchen island was taken from an old wooden table, called kazenka, which was placed next to the stove and was used as a cage for chickens and geese during the winter time.

The simplicity found in the architecture and lifestyle of the North is not due to a lack of resources, but rather a deliberate choice to prioritize practicality and efficiency. This intentional approach reflects a creative mindset that values function over extravagance.

Brutality and primitiveness as a return to the prototypes, to the basics, to the archaics, to that which is devoid of the desire to please or to impress. Purity of form.

The northern houses are striking in their severity, their monochrome color palette, and their seriousness. It is obvious that they were built without any desire to please ... beautiful precisely because of their silent rationality.

The house served as a miniature representation of the world. It was a private sanctuary where people shared their innermost thoughts and molded their future. The house was a sacred space, symbolizing both family and country, a model of the world, and a means of connecting with both nature and a higher power.

Once a stopover for fishermen, the island housed a sturdy 280-square-meter log cabin built in the 19th century from larch and set upon a foundation of local granite. Here, the fishermen used to salt and smoke fish to supply the nearby settlements. The island is richly adorned with pines and other conifers, adding to its natural charm.

Preserving the historic structure was essential to respect its heritage and allow it to serve as a backdrop for the client's modern life. It was decided to keep the original 19th-century structure while crafting the interior of the house in a contemporary style.

Complementary buildings were constructed around the original structure to allow for additional functunal space.

A glass pavilion was constructed a short distance from the house, perched on the edge of a cliff. It offers breathtaking views of Valaam Lake and its stunning sunsets. The pavilion serves as a library, a conference room, and an indoor orangery or greenhouse.

Everything here breathes truth and simplicity... embodies honesty, authenticity and minimalism.