Authors

Gavrikov Denis S.
BETWEEN FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC IDENTITIES: ON THE ASSIMILATION OF TIMBER-FRAME ARCHITECTURE MOTIFS IN CENTRAL RUSSIA DURING ART NOUVEAU

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №2 (38) June, 2012

In the Central Federal District of Russia, there are individual buildings dating back to the second half of the 19th – early 20th century, the architecture of which displays references to timber-framed architecture. Most of these buildings have already been studied by researchers. Those studies, however, considered them in terms of the general theory of modern architecture without any comparisons with the authentic traditions of the timber-frame architecture of the Middle Ages and the modern age. Currently, researchers continue revealing parallels and influences produced by foreign versions of Modernism on buildings with timber-frame stylistics in Central Russia.

The problem that this study aims to deal with is that the phenomenon of interpretations of timber-frame architecture in Central and North-Western Russia in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century have not been studied and properly appreciated. So the reason for tackling this theme is the lack of comprehensive studies on timber-frame architecture in Central Russia.

The late 19th century – early 20th century timber-framed structures in Central Russia contain in their decor elements of various variations of Modernism that existed in European countries, the British Empire and the USA. They experienced the influence of Art Nouveau, the Vienna Secession, the Queen Anne style, the Stick style, and Jugendstil. One can discover in their decor signs of the Lower Saxony, Franconian and French regional variations of traditional European timber-frame architecture. Whilst displaying foreign influences, this group of buildings combines in an organic manner some features of Russian wooden architecture and urban and countryside stone architecture of Russia, which may be explained by the mixed character of timber-framed architectural structures. Moreover, it is possible to see some continuity in Russian timber-frame architecture since the early 18th century, which manifests itself in structural, stylistic, planning and spatial features. Buildings from the Modern period in Central Russia reproducing or imitating timber-frame architecture are of the following types: private residences, estate houses and side wings, outbuildings, shops, and railway stations.

Gavrikov Denis S.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF TIMBER-FRAMED ARCHITECTURE

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №1 (41) March, 2013

Timber framed-architecture with its centuries-long history and environmental friendliness fully complies with the sustainable development concept, thus "shaking hands" with the future. The current realities on the Russian property market, where timber framing is experiencing its third wave of popularity in history, makes it essential to study timber-framed architecture in depth.

The purpose of this study is to assess the environmental potential of timber-framed building technology and architecture.

The materials used in the traditional timber-framed structural system are safe for humans and environment, and therefore timber framing has become topical again.

Timber-framing should be considered as one of the instances of a positive solution to the video-ecological problem. Its architectural forms are not in conflict with the nature and mirror the human scale. This building system, which gave a beginning to specific forms of construction, has naturally outlined architectural stylistics. We may state that the majority of historical and contemporary timber-framed constructions are «video-ecologically neutral». Nevertheless, the nature-likeness of timber framing is obvious: it reminds of a pattern created by an interlacing of branches of foliage trees, which is particularly obvious in winter.

Timber-framed architecture may undoubtedly be referred to the category of "sustainable". Timber-framed building technology meets the criteria of both biospheric compatibility and sustainable architecture. A timber-framed house may be categorised as the so-called «healthy building». As is known, the term "healthy" is applied to a building in which priority in relation to energy-saving technologies is given to solutions that both improve indoor microclimate and protect the environment, being constructed with the use of non-polluting building materials.

Meanwhile, human beings exist in an air and land environment. Timber-framed architecture with its low-rise and mid-rise scales matches this characteristic in an optimal way, and it may be categorized as biosphere-compatible.

Thus, timber-framed architecture features a number of advantages with regard to visual and building ecology. This building technology may be considered as relevant to the present-day context for its full conformity to the criteria of sustainable development and biospheric compatibility.

Gavrikov Denis S.
TIMBER-FRAMED MOSCOW: TIMBER AND STONE ARCHITECTURE REVISITED

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №4 (36) December, 2011

Moscow timber-framed buildings are, first of all, structures imitating the timber-framing stylistics. However, contemporary timber-framework interpretations in houses constructed using Finnish and Canadian technologies follow the principle of separation of bearing and enclosing elements represented by wooden skeleton and glass or heat-insulated panels.

The architectural fashion for timber-framing in the region is of a passing character. Structures using elements of timber-framing architecture in the decor in the area under consideration can be dated to the periods of 1670s to 1812, 1850s to 1920s, and 1990s to the present time. The author's intent is to investigate the various interpretations of timber-framing architecture of the area represented by both structures erected by the timber-framing method of construction and imitations, as well as the effect of timber-framing stylistics on the local wooden and stone architecture.

The purpose of the article is to examine the historical development of timber-framing architectural interpretations in Moscow and to identify their prominent features. The article might provide a valuable contribution to research into the importance of timber-framing architecture for the architectural and planning image of a city. Not only does the Article inform about the regional interpretations of timber-framed architecture, emphasizing their specificity and appeal but also focuses on their wider use in contemporary building construction.

Moscow as a historically established multiethnic megacity has been subject to the influence of two basic cultural streams: western and eastern, which is mirrored in the eclectic architectural image of the capital. However, where sources of such influence on stone architecture may be sufficiently accurately defined up to the place and historical epoch, research into timber-framed architecture, which can have both European and Asian references, is problematic. In this connection, it is necessary to mention that some of the vernacular timber-framed constructions in Japan, Denmark and France are almost identical. The timber-framing constructions of Germany, Turkey, and Kashmir display a number of features in common as well. Thus, Moscow architecture reveals a mixture of timber-framing stylistic features, which is likely to result in a specific local trend.

The architecture of Moscow suburbs (Muskovy) mirrors similar tendencies as in the architecture of the capital city. The timber-framed architecture of Moscow and its suburbs should, therefore, be considered together.

The first timber-framed structures appeared in Moscow in the 1670s in the so-called Novoinozemskaya (German) Sloboda occupied by expats from Western and Central Europe. The local timber-framed structures reproduced German samples mainly. These architectural monuments were lost during the fire of 1812. In the late 19th – early 20th centuries, timber-framing stylistics were used in some of the Modern buildings in both Moscow and around it. At the end of the 20th century, timber-framing become again popular in the design of cottages, country houses, restaurants, cafes, shops, park pavilions, etc.

The timber-framing method of building construction along with its imitations is used in Moscow in the design of both residential and public buildings, including private low-rise residences and cottages, warehouses, restaurants, cafes, and park pavilions and arbours. In the Moscow region, one can also come across timber-framed ground floors of multi-storeyed buildings.

Artistically, the timber-framed structures of Moscow and its vicinities feature originality and special beauty, attracting with their scale, naturalness and harmony and standing out against the background of «hard concrete landscape». Nevertheless, it is to be recommended that buildings should be provided with more profoundly elaborated and authentic elements of timber-framing decor.

Timber-framing as an artefact that has been perfected by many generations may fit well with contemporary cityscape, which is evidenced by its use in our countryside architecture. It is necessary to recreate the lost monuments of the timber-framed architecture of Moscow in models. There is a range of different buildings, both residential and public, as well as landscaping environmental design components, that we should not lose or forget. The use of timber-framing in social contexts rather than as museum exhibits sets a task for society and architectural community to ensure its adaptation and reconciliation with contemporary architectural innovations.