A Compact Home in Moscow Built on the Lowest Possible Budget
Russian firm Le Atelier was approached by a family of five with three small children to construct a home on their 484-square-foot property in Moscow. With just $7,000 to build, finish, and furnish the house, the undertaking required both strategy and imagination.
"Our challenge was finding a balance between different functions inside the house, and how much room was needed for each," architect Sergey Kolchin says. His team designed a simple rectangular volume with a one-sided, sharply sloped roof. Windows placed throughout the three-floor structure offer exquisite views and natural light. Inside, a yellow entryway opens up into a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Goose-step stairs—steps with a distinctive tread shape that’s ideal for compact spaces—lead to the master bedroom and bi-level kids’ room, the largest part of the home. Nearly all of the furnishings are built-in. By making them part of the construction process, the architects cut costs and customized ways of maximizing space.
"Our goal was to construct a house with the lowest possible budget, while ensuring comfort and efficiency for the residents inside," says Sergey Kolchin, founder of Le Atelier. The architects accented the home’s front door by painting it yellow, harmonizing the structure with the surrounding forest.
A corridor-like entrance invites residents into the home. The architects chose to use goose-step stairs because of their safety and efficiency in compact spaces. "This staircase is also the easiest in terms of construction," Kolchin says. "It is nearly impossible to make any mistake while building it."
Published
Get the Dwell Newsletter
Be the first to see our latest home tours, design news, and more.