Saeed Amini

advisor

Tehran University of Art

United Arab Emirates

I am an architect, researcher, and architectural critic who views architecture not merely as a… more

This project presents a strong and coherent vision for a contemporary rural settlement rooted in cultural continuity, social life, and spatial hierarchy. The decision to organize the village around a central square with the Church of St. Nicholas as the dominant element demonstrates a clear understanding of historical Russian urban principles, where sacred architecture acts as both a visual anchor and a social focal point. The masterplan is legible and well structured, with streets and perspectives intentionally oriented toward the church, reinforcing a strong sense of place and collective identity. The architectural language successfully synthesizes different historical layers—traditional wooden housing, classical compositions, and elements of national modern—without falling into literal imitation, creating a diverse yet harmonious environment. The project’s emphasis on public life, seasonal festivities, and everyday social interaction gives the settlement a convincing civic character beyond purely residential use. At the same time, the proposal is carefully embedded within its regional context, respecting existing infrastructure and settlement patterns. Overall, this is a well-balanced and culturally sensitive project that demonstrates strong urban thinking, narrative clarity, and an ability to translate historical references into a functional and lively contemporary village environment.

While the urban concept is clear and culturally grounded, the project would benefit from a more explicit differentiation between public, semi-public, and private spaces to ensure everyday livability alongside festive and ceremonial uses. The dominance of the church is convincing at the masterplan scale, but some secondary visual anchors or neighborhood-level centers could help distribute activity more evenly across the settlement and prevent over-centralization. The architectural variety is rich, yet clearer rules or guidelines for proportions, materials, and detailing would strengthen cohesion and prevent stylistic fragmentation over time. Greater attention to contemporary living standards such as accessibility, year-round comfort, and integration of modern infrastructure should be more clearly articulated to balance historical references with present-day needs. Finally, the public square could be further activated through specific programmed elements (markets, seasonal structures, or adaptable street furniture) to ensure it remains lively and functional beyond symbolic representation.
20.12.2025