Architectural value of any city can`t be estimated only by historical buildings. In first place, there aren`t so many of them, and in second place they decay and change their original form with time or disappear entirely. Originality of city streets set in historical quarters, can be preserved in case architects design new structures there with attention. In year 2001 ‘Tvorcheskaya masterskaya – 7’ had received a task to design residential building in historical part of Minsk in Dimitrova Street. This is a place where our city was born. Of course, restoration of old houses is not always economical, and pointless in general, but to build a new comfortable building, preserving the styles of past years and taking care of outer look of entire street, is not only possible, but simply necessary.

      The new building was designed with all these circumstances taken into account. It`s location is unique because it is standing directly on dry river bed and under it there are different, occasionally diametrically opposite ground bases. They solved this problem simply: the building was raised on three different types of foundations and the sections were secured with dilatation joints.

      Singular style of building, resembling ancient ‘gorodishe’, is reached thanks to façade details, belonging to old styles used by builders of previous centuries: sloping roof, cornices, elements of historical décor. Interesting thing is that all those details were made from insulation material. On top of it is just a layer of light plaster insulation system: grid, plaster and paint.

       All this organically links the building to the surrounding ensemble and makes it attractive not only commercially – its location in the city center – but esthetically as well – romantic style, light color scheme makes it not just simple residential building, but an elite house.

       It is a pity that the new tenants are careless to what they have. Their intention to place air conditioners and TV antennas on street façade will irreparably damage its esthetics. More than that, there`s no necessity to do so – all the apartment have openings on passage as well as on back court, where the air is cleaner, and the achievements of modern science allow us to have all conditioners on one level.  This would allow us to preserve the harmony of all facades and bring comfort to all the tenants.

       Truly, there are many astonishing things. Architects designed the building so, that its outer look is organically linked with accommodations’ chic interiors.

       For example, design of building fronts is very interesting. It was devised when construction process had already begun. In the beginning there were supposed to be loggias, but looking into habits of future tenants, designers came to conclusion that it makes more sense to turn them into glass oriels. As a result, apartment owners got additional spacious room, with semi-round windows 3 meters high, from floor to ceiling. This type of oriel, but smaller, is built in several other apartments.

       Design of a part of mansard story is interesting as well, where we have comfortable two-story apartments. The second entresol story is built in such manner, that its balcony provides two-sided lighting of lower story. If to add some designer fantasy, as a result it will be possible to have cozy family nest as well as a rollicking chic apartment of a successful bachelor.

       The architectural plans placed only basic accommodations with specific functions: toilettes, kitchens, etc. Everything else is question of taste of the owners and interior designers. All the modifications they suggest will become part of final project, in case they are technically possible.

       That was a short excursion through residential area of the building. Beside apartments, offices and shops are designated as well. They will be placed on first and second level of building. A part of them already has its owners. Among others, Hockey Federation of Belarus showed interest in buying an office, even the architects who designed it are planning to move to Dimitrova Street.

     For maximum comfort of apartment and office owners, 12 individual garages were built for two automobiles. In addition, the features of relief surrounding the building allow construction of 18 more garages in the backcourt, which will not harm the children playground. Children can peacefully play at the parents’ sight (from the apartment windows it`s possible to see entire playground), not even suspecting that life is boiling next to them. 

     The reconstruction of old street doesn`t stop after this building is completed. Soon on the opposite side, the new building in similar style will be erected. It will be somewhat bigger, and the color scheme will differ a bit. However, those changes won`t affect the street in the whole to be seen as one complex.