- Project: Weightless House
- Architect: Kerimov Architects
- Location: Russia, Repino
- Year: 2024
- Area: 1000 m2
Nestled in the forested surroundings of Repino in Russia’s Leningrad region, the Weightless House by Kerimov Architects is a 1,000-square-meter residence that epitomizes the harmonious integration of modern architecture with untouched nature. The concept behind the design was to create a structure that seems to dissolve into its environment—both physically and philosophically.
A Home Designed Around Nature
From the outset, Kerimov Architects embraced the site’s natural character. Mature trees were preserved and even incorporated into the architecture itself—piercing through canopies and forming an organic rhythm that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. This approach not only protects the existing ecosystem but also establishes a deep visual and sensory dialogue between architecture and landscape.
Spatial Strategy: Centered Around the Living Space
At the heart of the home lies a generous central living room, conceived as the “main square” of the house. All other spaces radiate from this core, reinforcing a sense of cohesion and openness. Moving through the house means constantly returning to this central space—much like a traditional piazza in a Mediterranean town, but reinterpreted in minimalist Russian modernism.
The program includes:
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A spacious kitchen
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Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms for residents and guests
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Two children’s rooms
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A SPA zone with a swimming pool, hammam, and sauna
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A private home office
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A lounge area for relaxation and social gatherings
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
Every major room—including the SPA, children’s rooms, and master suite—opens onto individual terraces, reinforcing the architecture’s connection to nature. At the center of the property is an open-air lounge with a fireplace and a summer kitchen—uniquely left uncovered to allow residents to experience the full sensory richness of the environment.
Complementing the main residence, the estate also features:
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A guest block with two bedrooms
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A garage and technical facilities
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A staff area and workshop, discretely integrated into the landscape
Materials That Age Gracefully
The house is constructed using natural, local materials: stone characteristic of the region, timber, and metal. These materials were deliberately selected for their ability to patinate over time, allowing the house to evolve aesthetically alongside the landscape—a key principle in Kerimov Architects’ philosophy.
The interplay of solid and void, light and shadow, transparency and enclosure, creates an architectural experience that feels both rooted and ephemeral. The design reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to creating site-responsive, emotionally resonant architecture.
The Weightless House is a bold yet restrained statement in contextual modernism. It’s a space where architecture becomes a quiet mediator between people and nature—an enduring retreat designed to breathe, adapt, and belong. As with many projects by Kerimov Architects, it exemplifies their dedication to architecture that is timeless, meaningful, and deeply connected to its place.
