- Project: House among Pines
- Architect: Kvadrat Architects
- Location: Kazakhstan, Borovoe
- Year: 2022
- Area: 260 m2
- Photography: Gleb Kramchaninov
Located in the scenic Borovoe resort region of Kazakhstan—revered as the Kazakhstani Switzerland—the House among Pines by Kvadrat Architects offers a masterclass in contemporary forest living. Designed as a peaceful retreat for a family of six, this minimalist residence blends light, form, and materials to create a timeless dialogue between architecture and nature.
🏡 A Home for Generations
The owners envisioned this home not only as a vacation and holiday escape, but also as a future multigenerational legacy. Surrounded by ancient pines, clear lakes, and mountain silhouettes, the house fosters connection—between family, and with the natural world.
🌗 Contrasts of Nature in Design
At the core of the architectural vision is the principle of natural contrast: day and night, light and dark, wood and stone. The home is split into two zones:
-
Ground floor: communal living, dining, and kitchen
-
Upper floor: private bedrooms and bathrooms
A 7-meter-high double-volume living room forms the spatial heart of the house, flooding the interior with sunlight and panoramic forest views. The effect is spatially expansive, emotionally calming, and visually seamless.
“It’s like a contrast shower,” say architects Rustam Minnekhanov and Sergey Bekmukhanbetov. “The black entry hall makes the living room feel even more luminous and grand.”
🪵 Wood & Stone: The Materials of Balance
A black-painted hallway at the entrance gives way to a bright, panoramic space overlooking the pine forest. Materials echo the environment: natural wood provides warmth and texture, while stone offers grounding and cool contrast.
This deliberate material pairing speaks to harmony in opposites—a hallmark of Kvadrat Architects’ nature-informed philosophy.
🌱 A Meditative Country Interior
Avoiding bold colors, sharp contrasts, or over-decoration, the interior celebrates minimalism as mindfulness. Every element is quiet, intentional, and enduring. The furniture and finishes are selected not just for style, but for longevity and emotional relevance.
Here, the real ornamentation is the pine forest framed by the windows. The house becomes a lens through which the landscape is admired, rather than a distraction from it.
🪑 Thoughtful, Sustainable Living
Kvadrat Architects believe in designing with purpose, minimizing excess and embracing high-quality, long-lasting materials. The House among Pines is a sanctuary of air and light, crafted with an uncompromising dedication to sustainability and serenity.
