Chasovaya was an invited competition to create a new high-density development that would prioritise contemporary living while celebrating historical context.
Located in the prestigious Aeroport District, north-west of the city center, Chasovaya boasts excellent transport links and quality infrastructure, contributing to the appeal of the location. The proposed development comprised 220,000 sq m of residential space alongside commercial, educational, and cultural facilities, with a variety of greenspaces throughout the scheme.
At the heart of the masterplan lies a dynamic square, anchored by the Isofabrika building, the historic centrepiece of the neighbourhood. The proposals included designs for the Isofabrika building to be refurbished to bring back the original spirit of the design dating from 1930s. The public space design intention incorporated a captivating landscape with a water ribbon element to surround the historic building. Designed with all seasons and users in mind, this water feature would become an ice-skating ring during the winter.
The vision was for Chasovaya Street to redefine Moscow's public realm through cultural parks, plazas, and rooftops, fostering a vibrant hub for community interaction and discovery. The multi-layered landscape featured a variety of spaces to embrace seasonal changes and enrich residents’ and visitors’ experiences, setting a precedent for residential-led mixed-use developments worldwide.
The masterplans included feature courtyards as a central design element, scattered throughout the scheme. They are intimate and carefully positioned to increase the aspect of community, creating a vibrant, welcoming environment as an entrance to residential spaces. Plans were in place for the streets of Chasovaya to be pedestrianised spaces, places to stay, meet friends and relax, including landscaped elements in pocket spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The planned residential towers were positioned to act as a backdrop to the whole masterplan, framing the site along the adjacent railway. They are located away from the context of the historic building, offering views of the rooftop gardens of the lower buildings and into the square. The ten towers are stepped in height, increasing along the southern direction, rising steadily to a height of 120m.
Architecturally, the masterplan combines traditional and glazed brick, arranged in precast panels. The street scape design incorporates an elegant and warm colour palette in a variety of tones ranging from light cream grey and beige. The courtyards each have a unique identity, highlighted with a different tone of brick, featuring brighter, more intense colours. The overall urban appearance parallels the qualities of a geode - solid, muted and earthy from the outside, and crystalline, bright and colourful inside.
While the scheme progressed to completion, SimpsonHaugh’s involvement concluded at schematic design.