026. Private Residential Estate on the Volga River
Project Team

Client: “Khoroshiy Dom” Company, Samara

Project Director: Igor Balykin

Concept Development: Alexey Oleshchenko

Design Team Lead: Alexey Oleshchenko

Design Team: Elizaveta Portnova, Ekaterina Tsvetkova

Structural Engineer: Maksim Rayapu

Tilda Publishing
Private Residential Estate on the Volga River
Samara Region, Volga Riverbank
Year: 2017
Context
The project is a countryside residential estate located on the banks of the Volga River in the Samara Region.
The development includes a primary residence along with a комплекс технических и сервисных строений, forming a self-sufficient suburban compound. The scale and program of the estate required not only architectural clarity, but also a coherent integration of residential, recreational, and service functions within a unified stylistic framework.


Design Approach
The clients defined a clear architectural vision: an expressive open glued laminated timber structural frame inspired by historic timber construction traditions.
The concept emphasized:
  • A visually exposed structural system

  • A maximum number of trusses and structural elements articulated within the interior

  • A reinterpretation of historical timber tectonics in a contemporary residential format

The architecture is built around the spatial rhythm of a load-bearing glued laminated timber frame, where structural members are not concealed but celebrated as the primary aesthetic language of the house.
Advanced CNC fabrication techniques were used to produce a large number of decorative and structural timber components with high precision.


Spatial OrganizationFunctional Program
  • Two master bedrooms

  • Two guest bedrooms

  • Multipurpose room

  • Main hall

  • Kitchen

  • Living room

  • Technical and utility spaces

An integrated spa complex is embedded within the house and connected to the outdoor area through a glazed transitional gallery.
The estate also includes:
  • Security post

  • Museum garage for six vehicles

  • Year-round outdoor swimming pool

The spatial composition balances private zones with generous public interiors defined by exposed timber trusses and structural depth.


Structural System
  • Primary structure: spatial glued laminated timber frame

  • Extensive use of CNC-fabricated decorative and structural timber elements

  • Exterior wall infill: glued profiled timber

  • Internal partitions: lightweight acoustically insulated timber frame

  • Floor assemblies: load-bearing structures with enhanced acoustic insulation and additional damping layers

The structural system creates large-span interiors while maintaining a warm, material-rich atmosphere.


Façades and Building Envelope
  • Exterior walls: 250 mm glued profiled timber

  • Roof insulation thickness: 420 mm

  • Windows: double-glazed units

  • Window system: timber-aluminum composite construction

The envelope was designed to respond to the continental climate of the Volga region while maintaining high energy performance and material integrity.


Engineering Systems
The residence incorporates a comprehensive integrated engineering system:
  • Hydronic heating system

  • Underfloor heating

  • Hydronic convectors

  • Mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation with integrated humidification

  • Air conditioning integrated within the ventilation system

  • Water supply system with heat recovery

All systems were designed to ensure year-round comfort, including the operation of the outdoor pool during winter conditions.