We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Polina Nozdracheva about their original and creative Equestrian Arena design work. Polina Nozdracheva is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original equestrian arena works.
Polina Nozdracheva ("PN") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Equi Temple Equestrian Arena. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
PN : Main source of inspiration is unique natural environment. Trunks of mighty pines & firs that rise up behind windows of Arena are part of rhythmic series of vertical structural elements with their syncopating rhythm. Stained glass windows of building perimeter unite interior & planning web of exterior & are especially spectacular at sunset, pierced by slanting rays of setting sun. Pitched roof with far-projecting eaves hovers like flying ship over Arena's field, supported by mighty wooden frames.
PN : Uniqueness of object predetermined depth and thoroughness of pre-project research. Features of landscape and climatic conditions of design region are studied in detail. This made it possible, using modern technologies and materials, to achieve greater energy efficiency of the building in complex structure. Selected solutions allow to observe the optimal humidity and temperature conditions in Riding arena for equestrian sports, including in winter, which is extremely important for project area.
PN : The biggest reward for an architect is to see how the project he created lives and functions.
PN : The working process lasted almost four years. The project started in 2017. Expert conclusion: December 2018 and July 2019. The construction is started in December 2018 and was finished at the begining of January 2021.
PN : The Client liked our concept and this idea was chosen for further development and implementation.
PN : It's impossible. The project is unique and cannot be reused. The copyright for this project is registered in the national register of intellectual property.
PN : It is very simple. The Client's order for the development of project documentation of the object with such functional purpose.
PN : This is a team of professionals who work at ALPN Ltd.
PN : This project was doing for ALPN Ltd. The contract between ALPN Ltd. and the Client is closed information.
PN : This architectural concept is unique, has a very strong philosophical meaning of each developed element, which are associated with the urban planning concept and complex functionality.
PN : Arena is main building of equestrian complex, example of organic connection of several functions: sport, technological, recreational & representative. Rectangular parallelepiped, completed with traditional gable roof, resembles the main ancient monument-temple.
PN : Smooth lines of constructional elements from glued wood define create prime structural silhouette & set basic rhythmic concept of interior space. Glazed facades integrate internal & external spaces; massive roof like hovers above ground.
PN : Most important project task is creation expressive architectural & spatial image, operating of technologically limited. Use of rhythm, drawing of details simple but expressive silhouette of structure create impression of voluminous and majestic structure. Color scheme is as close to natural as possible, limited to shades of golden wood. Emerald-gray roof slopes echo surrounding greenery. Interiors continue topic of wooden facade structures, using scale of elements to more proportionate human one.
PN : Working on such a large project is always the work of a large team of professionals, where the architect always plays the main role.
PN : Prime requirement is environmental friendliness. This determined the choice of main building material-wood for all structural elements, facades and details. Task is to connect large-span glued wooden structures with equestrian technology. Combination of traditional material for structural elements with original lines and details of the wooden facades creates a unique and memorable spectacular image. Concrete is only used for foundations and exterior staircases (due to fire safety regulations).
PN : I draw all the ideas for creating an architectural project from the environment, being inspired by the natural environment of which we are a part. Here, too, the main conceptual line is the emerald and the structure of this precious material.
PN : The biggest problem for any architect is that the implementation of the project and its construction according to the design documentation developed in all details should be carried out without optimization, losses and simplification of the originally conceived architectural idea.
PN : This is not the first time I have participated in this competition. It is pleasure for me to show our projects, which are the part of my life, to professionals from all over the world.
PN : An architect is a profession that you have been studying all your life. With each new project, you will master this profession more and more and learn more about the meaning of life and the beauty of the world around us.
PN : Thanks for your questions. The list of questions allowed me to tell about this project EMERALD in as much detail as possible.
