In post-pandemic reality people tend to spend more time in their neighbourhoods. This has prompted Brusnika, a Russian developer, to design mixed-use residential districts, where the need to travel to the city centre minimises. The quarters fulfil a variety of functions, both commercial and recreational. With this concept in mind, Brusnika allocates lower floor levels for both commercial premises with local amenities and community centres. One of these projects was completed in Vidny residential area in Tyumen. This has been the developer’s second project of the kind with the first being the community centre designed in 2019 in the town of Vidny near Moscow. 

The community centre in Tyumen is located on the ground floor of one of the houses and takes up almost 300 square metres. Being flexible and multipurpose are its key features. While designing the space, the architects were striving to anticipate most common scenarios. The main function of the community centre is to unite residents, becoming a convenient place for communication, work, study and recreation.  

The centre’s interior is designed in neutral colours with shades of milky white, beige and light grey. Wooden and contrasting elements of furniture and decor create accents and the ceiling is painted black to conceal utilities.  The floors are covered with fitted carpets, laminate flooring or porcelain stoneware depending on the area function. The warm light emanating from the chandelier and wall lamps, plants and decorative elements give the place a cosy ambience. 

The community centre is partitioned into several areas. Its central element, a transformable co-working space, is light and airy with an open-plan kitchen, children’s area and recreational zone equipped with table tennis. Comfortable sofas, houseplants, a soft-shaded interior are all conducive to a host of activities such as working, holding film nights, socialising with neighbours, or playing cardboard games. 

The second largest space is a ballroom with mirrored walls. This 60-square metre place is rented by a dance studio for children. 

Still another area combines several amenities — a small cafe, a laundromat and ‘a helping hand’ storeroom, where one can share any useful utensils, from corkscrew to a hammer. The place comes in handy when neighbours lack a measuring tape or a pair of pliers and can borrow them while redecorating their flat.  

The functional zone comes complete with a cosy library furnished with a bookcase, coffee table and two comfy armchairs, and an office for professionals in private practice. The library can also be utilised as a negotiations room. 

Any room of the community centre can be rented for a range of events from celebrating holidays or holding children’s birthday parties to conducting workshops, seminars or lectures. 

Project manager — Irina Gontarenko

Interior designer — Natalia Shurakova

Project development by Brusnika and Studio 40

Photographer

Alexander Saskov