Features of the architecture of country houses in Russia: preferred styles

The variety of architectural styles is provided not only by the long history of housing construction; constant experimentation and mixing of directions; but also by integration into certain ethnic groups. French classics will be different from English ones; baroque in Italy and baroque in Russia are completely different things; and even a storehouse of the most unusual eclecticism.

Undoubtedly, even when "moving" to Russia, the architectural specificity of other countries was modified to suit our mentality, the existing stylistic traditions and, of course, the climate. Not to mention those styles. which already originated with us. All this influenced both large state buildings and individual housing construction.

In our article, we will consider exactly the latter.

The current situation with suburban housing construction

When it comes to individual housing construction, you cannot talk about such a thing as homogeneity. Anyone who decides to build a mansion in a suburban area, one way or another, brings something of their own to it. As a result, we get an endless variety in endless combinations.

Simplified classic

Unfortunately, this is an ideal situation and the current one is far from ideal. When choosing an architectural style for a home, the overwhelming majority of customers prefer very simplified classics:

• standard four-walled box with two floors;
• gable or mansard roof; brickwork;
• sometimes columns or a portico are used as a decoration - a covered gallery, the canopy of which rests on columns, open on three sides except for the one that is pressed against the house.

English classics

The variants of the English classics look more interesting - these are houses built in the Georgian style. It is not as pretentious as the "classic classics", which are based on antique buildings, but still more decorated than the simplest typical house designs. This is reflected in both the decoration and the shape of the building.

Decorative cladding is actively used: around windows, in the lower half of the building, or in the corners (smooth blades). By the way, dormer windows are often used on the roofs, which not only illuminates the attic, but also decorates the facade.

Classics and Empire

Classical architecture has its origins in the canons of ancient construction. High columns, symmetry, decoration in the form of stucco and statues. - the closest relative of this style and a kind of rebirth during the time of Napoleonic France. All this gives the buildings monumentality, pathos and significance.

When transferred to individual housing construction, the classics shakes off the lion's share of decorativeness, but remains just as monumental. And although this style is intended for impressive urban buildings, there are enough people who want to decorate their mansion in it.

Country, half-timbered, chalet

Houses of originally "rustic" styles are less common - no matter how strange it may sound. Gradually, they are becoming more and more popular, as they look great both outside and inside, they are very cozy and suitable for our climate, but it is still difficult for them to compete with the classics.

Country- wooden, maximum natural houses. Sometimes rude, but cozy: simple shapes, with a gable roof and a covered veranda. The style came from the American hinterland and solid farm houses.

Fachwerk- a style in which the beams supporting the building are not hidden inside the building, but are placed on the facade, giving it a characteristic look; gable and high roofs; main finish - light plaster; the windows are small but in large quantities. The style originated in medieval Germany and you can still find many of these houses on the streets of Quedlinburg.

Chalet- a small rural house in the Swiss style. Its characteristic features are the finishing of the first floor with stone, and the second and subsequent ones - with wood and plaster; overhang of the second floor over the first; small balconies with wooden railings and the use of external beam structures as decoration.

Minimalism, prairie style

These are modern buildings, devoid of excessive decor. They elevate functionality to the absolute and look deliberately hand-made. Despite the fact that from the point of view of design, these styles are well developed and fully developed, our compatriots rarely stop their attention on them. Perhaps because of the angularity of the designs, the love of decor, or the coolness of the composition. Wide windows and neutral colors inherent in minimalist architecture are hardly associated with coziness, and because of the climate we have a lot of heat-loving people.

Minimalism and constructivism- an airtight, even architectural style with a minimum of colors, the most functional forms and excellent lighting.

Prairie style- "naturalistic" neighbor of minimalism, absorbing elements of Chinese architecture and playing on a form that is elongated horizontally.

Modern

Not a frequent visitor in the suburban areas of Russia. This is due to the absence of any specific canons - you must agree, the naturalness of the forms, not the most specific motive. But its elements are actively used in the classics: unusual and smooth shapes of roofs, windows, doors or branches from the building.

Baroque, rococo

Despite our brother's sensational love for pathos - true or not, it's up to you - these styles are rarely implemented in country houses. Despite the fact that the baroque, like the classics, when moving to a country house, loses the lion's share of the "extra" decor, the style still remains pretentious beyond measure, expensive and pretentious. Not everyone can afford it, and few want it.

Castle style and gothic

And these styles are almost less common than the previous ones. A cold stone castle or monumental Gothic is rarely associated with coziness; architectural specificity does not imply small scale; and in our reality, such a building will look wild.

Ethnic elements

It is impossible not to mention the owners of houses who wish to use ethnic elements in the construction. And although each style is ethnic in some sense, we are talking about purely specific directions - like Japanese or Indian.

Let's say right away that this is quite rare: people, as a rule, realize passion for any culture in interiors, and not in facades of buildings.

And absolutely exotic cases - when someone insists on a complete copying of architectural canons. Usually they are limited to the classics, which are mixed with ethnic elements.

Issue price

We examined the main and some rare types of architecture of country houses, which are preferred by our compatriots. Often their choice is dictated by the mentality of fear or the desire to experiment, undoubtedly by the climate. But the high cost of construction plays an important role.

Despite the fact that a fabulous sum can be invested in a building of any style, buildings in the style of antique classics and baroque usually require this. Many people simply cannot afford this, so they prefer more modest options for houses.

Conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the variety of architectural styles and their combinations, if not infinite, is very great. But a huge part of our market is occupied by the simplified classics. Sometime because of the price, sometime because of the fear of experimentation.

Considering that the style of houses is not regulated at the state level in any way and the owners are free to do whatever they want on their site, this situation does not look very encouraging: it is nice when the building is not only a place to live, but also an architectural monument.

Do you agree? Then check out ours! You will find many interesting and non-standard ideas, made with great taste. Even they seem boring to you? You can order a house from us according to an individual project: designers and architects, taking into account all your wishes.