Firm： Andrey Ukolov, Ekaterina Osipova

Type： Commercial › Bank Office

YEAR： 2013

SIZE： 5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

Photos： Andrey Ukolov, Ekaterina Osipova (17)

The project situated in the central part of Sukhum city (Abkhazia), where urban development can be classified as historical. National Philharmonic Hall and Museum House of the painter Varvari Bubnovoi are located at close quarters.

The project aim was to design contemporary and expressive building, delicate with regards to surrounding development and its buildings and at the same time with the reasonable construction costs.

Curtain wall façade system was used in the design to neutralize the influence of the high building to historical environment, which can be determined as low-rise buildings. That architectural approach makes the building to look lighter from the visual point of view.

Some people would use an expression to describe Sukhum city and will call it ‘’white city’’. The applied to the façade white colour helps to see the building in a harmony with the environment.

Moreover, the used façade system functions as the protection from the sun light, preserves the internal space from overheating, hides diaphragm plate fitted behind the glazing (the building situated in earthquake-prone zone). Façade segments are pre-fabricated details and made from aluminum profile. Maintenance scaffolds are placed between two surfaces of the glazing. L-shaped in plan building takes the whole area given for construction. Ground floor is occupied by the bank branch and French café. The following five upper floors, were allocated for office purpose.

Monochrome colour gradation was used for interiors, whilst different contrast colours were applied for every floor throughout the staircase. That makes easier the navigation within the building.

Gudou Plaza is the first large scale sample of contemporary architecture in Sukhum city. It is the new step towards development of the capital urban environment.