Quality, environmental friendliness and complete energy independence are the three pillars on which modern development stands. In a world that seems fragile and fleeting, it is inappropriate to follow fast trends, so trustworthy developers and architects are returning to the basics: “building for the ages”, strictly adhering to technology and looking for ecological and at the same time completely energy-independent solutions. A vivid example of this approach is a cottage town near Kyiv Obriy Family Club.
The travel time from the settlement to the center of Kyiv, sports and recreational infrastructure, as well as completely eco-friendly materials and stylistic unity, and even windows located so that neighbors definitely won't peek in - it seems that the planners have thought of absolutely everything.
We talked to by the project authors: developer Pavel Somov, founder of the group of companies EcoBud Building Group, and the ideological inspirer of the project and the head of the architectural bureau Ecobud Project By Marina Kruglova.
Marina Kruglova and Pavel Somov. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: The active construction stage of the Obriy Family Club project has been going on for over 5 years, and during this time its key characteristics have not changed: stylish appearance, safe territory, silence and forest air 20 minutes drive from the center of Kyiv. Tell us how the idea for the project was born: from the first impulse and personal request to the formed concept and implementation.
Pavel Somov: For the first time, thoughts about the concept of living outside the city came to me when I was working in China, because China is primarily striking in two ways: the pace of local urbanization and the impact of this process on city dwellers. Most Kyivans also spend much more time on the road than is permissible given the length of human life, so one of the key principles of Obriy Family Club was the travel time from the then-future cottage town to the center of the capital. I studied different directions of departure from Kyiv for two years, and in the end, the range of acceptable options narrowed to the area of the Obukhiv direction. It turned out that the main secret of a free road is the absence of traffic lights on it, because if a traffic jam forms on the highway you are driving on, it should be multiplied not by the number of road users, but by the number of stops you will have to make. Staroobukhivska does not have traffic lights, but it has an exit to two highways at once, so if you drive into the city along it, you can get to the center in just 20 minutes, and in case of significant road congestion - 30 minutes. If you drive along Zhytomyrska highway, you will find both traffic lights and large clusters of multi-storey buildings without parking lots, which will only add to the inconvenience, so you will lose at least an hour.
PM: This is really interesting, because it is impossible to get to the center so quickly even from remote areas of the city. We are not talking about the suburbs at all. So, one of the key advantages of your town is saving two to three hours of time that Kyiv residents lose every day in city traffic jams. What other principles became the foundation of the project?
P. S.: We build houses in one of the highest, for Ukraine, quality classes: we provide very good equipment and conditions for creating full autonomy of houses. They are quite expensive, but this price is fully justified. The second value after quality is a large amount of free space for living: on a plot of 45 hectares (the area of the entire town. - Ed. note) only about 17 hectares are under construction, while the rest of the territory is occupied by forest plantations and recreation areas.
The third principle is an individual approach. We help you choose a house with the optimal location, shading, window orientation and shape of the plot. Everything is tailored to your needs. The fourth is silence and security. We provide round-the-clock security. Each house is located so that neighbors cannot see each other's windows. In addition, the cottage town is located on a hill surrounded by natural ravines. To summarize: we have a place for everyone who loves Ukraine and respects their neighbors. As well as those who are ready to live in an environment beyond high fences. Agree, high fences spoil the appearance of spaces.
Obriy Family Club residences are decorated with natural stone. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: What about the shared values of Pavel Somov and Marina Kruglova? It's not every day that a couple — a developer and an architect — take on a joint project.
Maryna Kruglova: They say that if a husband and wife do the renovation and don't get divorced, that's a pretty good result. We had to work on an entire cottage town... Seriously, we look at this project both as professionals and as a family, and this greatly affects the process. In particular, the territory of the Obriy Family Club is designed so that it is comfortable for both adults and children of all age groups. We have workout zones, tennis courts, football and basketball fields, swimming pools of such a size that you can swim freely there, yoga areas, and playgrounds for children of different ages. The latter are divided so that teenagers can spend time separately, and toddlers - separately.
PM: Everything you've already said suggests that cottage towns like yours are— This is a new model of living space in Ukraine. Small size, safe territory, common recreation areas. Is this a truly Ukrainian format or a reproduction of a format familiar to Europe?
P. S.: The usual formats for the USA and Europe are downtown or a metropolis that is developing into a private sector. Most Ukrainian cottage towns are a combination of these two options - both a suburb of a metropolis and a protected area. Complete peace of mind can only be provided by professional 24-hour security of the territory. Recently, this service has been in great demand on the market, and we, of course, provide it.
The buildings are integrated into the surrounding space. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
Pavel Somov: "We provide 24-hour security. Each house is located so that neighbors cannot see each other's windows. In addition, the cottage town is located on a hill surrounded by natural ravines. To sum up: we have a place for everyone who loves Ukraine and respects their neighbors."
PM: When talking about the territories, you also mentioned the maintenance of the territories. Does this mean that your town has a cleaning service for the residences and streets?
P. S.: Both abroad and in Ukraine, not all developers offer this service, but we do. The thing is that its absence can be the reason for your return from a country cottage back to an apartment building. Let me explain. Many people think: "If I move out of town, it will solve all the problems." But then you take a shovel and throw away the snow, buy a lawnmower and mow the grass, get out tools for cleaning the area and fight with fallen leaves... Often, tired of these problems, people simply sell the recently purchased house and move back to an apartment. By the way, a popular format has even appeared - low-rise apartment buildings in the bosom of nature: those who want to go out of town but do not want to bother with snow and fallen leaves live there. We offer a whole range of services for maintaining adjacent territories at the request of residents. In this way, they will be able to realize the natural attraction of Ukrainians to the land, but in the way they themselves want it, without unnecessary obligations.
PM: What other audience requests have come to the fore now that we have realized that in a rapidly changing world, even we, Ukrainians, will have to improve our survival skills?
P. S.: I won't surprise you here: among the popular requests are safety (shelter, reinforced house construction), autonomy (inverters, generators, solar panels, solid fuel boilers). There is also a growing demand on the market for land and small, completely energy-independent houses. In our town, the lack of light was felt mainly only by those residents who had not yet had time to make repairs in their newly purchased house and launch modernized power systems. Therefore, by the way, during total blackouts, we made a shelter and invited those who did not have light to stay with us. Let me tell you this: any country house can be made energy-independent, even for a fairly small amount of money. There is a worthy product for every budget.
The facades of Obriy Family Club are made in a single style. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: So, you also bet on energy independence. What about environmental friendliness? Not all technologies that ensure energy independence are safe for the environment.
P. S.: Geothermal pumps with recuperation and ventilation, warm floors, walls and ceilings - all our systems are implemented strictly according to technology and within the framework of environmental standards. We approach the issue thoroughly: first we make a house project, then - a thermal calculation, and then we determine what materials should be used and in what quantity, necessarily taking into account the interior design. But the key stage is precisely the thermal calculation, because if it has not been done, then in two years you will have to either change something or redo everything!
PM: Have the blackouts affected your considerations regarding the choice of energy independence systems?
P. S.: The basic equipment of the houses includes a heat pump and a backup electric boiler, which depend on external power supply. However, the project provides for additional options for alternative power supply according to the needs of residents.
M.K .: By the way, one of the options of the recent period is modern stoves that can be integrated into the project. They are not only a heat carrier, but also add the spirit of Ukrainian identity to the interior.
P. S.: Another recommended option is a solid fuel boiler. But not on pellets, because there are currently problems with their production - temporary or not, I can't say - but on wood and coal. To summarize: firstly, all our houses that are currently for sale will be transferred to buyers in an already modernized form. Secondly, we were able to protect people who have already settled in the cottage town from the cold, because the Obriy Family Club cottages are very warm in themselves. In addition to insulation, the significant thickness of the walls made of high-quality ceramic blocks and energy-efficient window systems played their role. The thickness of the walls in the houses reaches 70 cm, which significantly exceeds the indicators in typical design solutions in Ukraine.
The houses are oriented so that each room receives maximum light throughout the day. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: What other solutions make Obriy Family Club different from other projects?
P. S.: I can say that these are fundamental constructive solutions, which is very important during natural disasters or explosions. In this matter, we also adhere to all the necessary technologies. Also, these are the facades of houses, where we use only natural stone: travertine and sandstone.
M.K .: We also have many nice bonuses, such as a green roof.
P. S.: Yes, because we didn't make ordinary carports, but fundamental concrete structures for two cars with a green roof!
"As for our town, the lack of electricity was felt mainly only by those residents who had not yet had time to make repairs in their newly purchased houses and launch modernized power systems. Therefore, by the way, during total blackouts, we made a shelter and invited those who did not have electricity to our place," — Pavlo Somov
PM: Let’s go back from practical to ideological aspects. Your website states that Obriy Family Club is built on the concept of “Life Scenarios Instead of Square Meters.” This concept seems broader than the basic square of “safety — silence — service — energy independence.” Please tell us what it consists of and how it was implemented in practice: how architecture, planning, environment, and services shape different life scenarios for residents.
M.K .: I am aware of the scale of the impact of the living environment on well-being, and therefore - the life and fate of a person, so I work out my projects to the smallest detail. Someone believes in these things, someone does not, but in any case, finding yourself in a well-thought-out space, you will immediately feel that the house and the town are "for some reason" surprisingly convenient and comfortable. Where is it better to arrange the stones, where to place the pond and lay the paths, which direction the windows will face - all these details must be taken into account. During work, I even take into account the influence of astrological aspects on the direction of entry to the town and other principles of vastu-architecture.
PM: With that level of detail, you could probably match a home to each client.
M.K .: The houses are adapted to the needs of each family. For example, we have cottages with more or less shade and dwellings for people with different needs for peace: for those who want complete solitude near the forest and those who like to be in the epicenter of events and communication.
Marina Kruglova: "All houses are adapted to certain needs. For example, we have cottages with more and less shade and homes for people with different needs for peace: for those who want complete solitude near the forest and those who like to be in the epicenter of events and communication."
PM: The description of your project states that you focused on panoramic views. Please tell us about this feature of Obriy Family Club.
M.K .: The houses are designed so that the exterior flows smoothly into the interior. It is very important to me that the cottage reflects the space of the surroundings. I also always ensure that the feeling of space is never lost, both on the plots and inside, so I keep track of what will be visible from each window of the house. In particular, what people will see from the windows when they wake up, have dinner or enter the house. Agree, if you wake up and see trees outside the windows and hear birds singing, this will significantly affect your mood, and therefore - for the whole day.
Plan of the Obriy Family Club town. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: What about the infrastructure? Marina has already talked about playgrounds and sports areas, but the first thing that catches your eye when looking at the photos of Obriy Family Club is the places for yoga and relaxation. These locations really evoke associations with Beverly Hills.
P. S.: Nature is a great place to recharge. That is why the project includes relaxation and yoga areas with a wonderful panoramic view. In addition, Obriy Family Club is a very green place, because every year we plant new trees: both on the streets and around the perimeter of the territory.
"One of the key factors in choosing a residence in our town is trust. We have never launched large-scale advertising, and most of our clients are people who know us well," — Marina Kruglova
PM: I propose to make a mini-guide for readers from the founders of the project: “How to choose a house in Obriy Family Club.” What should you pay attention to when choosing and how do different types of cottages differ?
P. S.: The first is the area of the house. The larger the house, the larger the plot. The second is the location of the residence. Someone wants access to the forest, someone wants a panoramic view. Someone wants a house in the shade, someone wants a house next to a sports field. The third is, of course, the layout, and the fourth is the neighbors. For many people, it is very important who lives next door. The last piece of advice: the decision to buy a house is made in the heart, so we usually advise people to come to the village without us and just walk around and look.
M.K .: One of the key factors in choosing a residence in our town is trust. We have never run large-scale advertising, and most of our clients are people who know us personally.
P.S.: And this is very important, because many people have friends and acquaintances who invested in real estate, but did not receive anything. I have extensive experience in real estate investing, and I understand this problem well.
Obriy Family Club has many sports and recreation areas. The number of zones is calculated according to the planned number of residents. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: Well, it remains to summarize. Please tell us what difficulties you faced during the project creation stage and what unexpected insights you gained in the process.
M.K .: At Obriy Family Club, there is a rule (of course, we discuss this in detail with our buyers) — not to change the appearance of the front yards and facades. The results speak for themselves: we are often told that our settlement could easily be confused with a neighborhood in Los Angeles. However, sometimes it takes a lot of effort to protect these principles. But we always knew that we would not give up on the idea.
P. S.: Our situation fully reflects what is happening in the country. Look at the center of Lviv: property owners do not have the right to change facades, so it is stylistically unified. Why can’t we do this in every town? In the restored Borodyanka, or, for example, Kovalivka near Bila Tserkva — and this is a village — they did it, and look at the result! The desire to stand out, to have our say — is a great driving force of our nation, but we need to learn to act wisely. Take a drive through the cities of old Europe: all the buildings there are stylistically unified, and it looks beautiful. At the same time, for example, in Shanghai — there is complete discord, so the word “Shanghai” has even become a synonym for architectural chaos.
P.M.: You already have your first residents and your first stories. Tell us about the life of your town at this moment.
P. S.: Most of the situations are related to our concept of a single facade style. Sometimes residents believe that later, during the construction phase, they will be able to agree or do it their own way. But the rule is the same for everyone, because it's like a pyramid: if one house changes something, after a few hours, even those who didn't plan to do anything at all will have their hands itchy. We had examples of such "confrontation", and we were forced to abandon the agreement in order to preserve the town's single architectural code.
It also sometimes happens that clients want to expand the plot to the forest border, but we have made a tree plan and stipulated that cutting down trees is strictly prohibited, because this is a recreational area.
The desire of a Ukrainian to manage is indestructible. And this is a very, very wonderful and healthy trait. We tell our clients: inside the house and in the backyard you can do whatever you want, but in the front yard we ask you to limit yourself. Of course, you can plant your own plants here, but only if they fit stylistically.
Pavel Somov. Photo source: Obriy Family Club
PM: Does the Obriy Family Club have an idea? potential for scaling?
P. S.: We have many plans for infrastructure development not only within the Obriy Family Club, but also for the arrangement of walking routes and walking areas for the entire community and its guests. As for further ambitious projects and plans, we have chosen two other vectors for ourselves: more affordable country houses and exclusive real estate.
