Neighborhood centers and the DNA code of Brusnika – comfort is more important than the price per square meter | VN.RU

Projects for integrated development of territories are becoming a priority in housing construction, the government is creating conditions for their implementation, and progressive developers prefer to develop large sites. And instead of residential complexes united only by name, they are increasingly striving to implement a functionally thought-out residential microdistrict. Among residents of megacities, there is a growing trend in favor of choosing a functional and comfortable space that would suit their lifestyle.

One of the striking examples of this approach is the projects of the Brusnika company. During its work, the company has formed a unique DNA code for its brand. The basis of this code is the focus on the person, on the resident of the microdistrict. This should make him and his family comfortable. “It’s worth starting with the fact that when forming a master plan for a microdistrict, we try to use the terrain and take advantage of its advantages,” explains technical director of Brusnika in Novosibirsk and Eurobereg resident Pavel Rogozhnikov, “for example, in Novosibirsk we designed and built an embankment in Eurobereg, in Tyumen – Lake Tikhoe was revitalized, where residents now feed ducks and walk all year round, and in Yekaterinburg they turned a steep slope into a pedestrian canyon. This place has become an iconic space for the entire city not because of awards at architectural competitions, but because it turned out to be a convenient place to spend time, listen to street concerts – the place has excellent acoustics.”

Another important element is that Brusnika uses a variety of housing morphotypes within one project – mostly low-rise – 8-9 floors – human-sized houses. The company believes that development should not put pressure on residents, and in small houses it is easier to develop good neighborliness. A public space that allows people to gather together for walks and joint celebrations is a mandatory element when designing a microdistrict, and the continuation of this concept is the creation of similar public spaces inside the house.

“Complexity involves the development of social infrastructure in new areas and the design of buildings that meet the requirements of the time. Modern social infrastructure increases the value of development projects. This is obvious to us, which is why Brusnika has created a division for the design of social infrastructure – neighborhood centers, schools, kindergartens and healthcare facilities. Now he has more than 50 projects in operation. At the same time, we see the future in the approach when a school or kindergarten is put into operation together with the first houses of a new area, and not vice versa,” says Pavel Rogozhnikov.

In Brusnika they are confident that within the region it should be convenient for a person to move around by any type of transport – car and bicycle, but above all – on foot. Therefore, pedestrian routes are thought out and designed immediately, and, moreover, zoning of these routes with the help of lighting and landscaping is immediately provided. Tall trees are planted immediately and are brought from nurseries already mature.

“Every project should be not only functional, but also beautiful. Therefore, we use a collection approach – starting with architecture and ending with the selection of plants in each yard – they must bloom in turn, and are maintained in a certain color scheme. And the landscape bureau Brusnika has a task: when developing a yard design, first they design those areas that a person sees when leaving the entrance. It must be something beautiful. A large tree, sculpture or water feature,” says Pavel Rogozhnikov.

One of the key skills of a modern development company is the ability to form and catch trends, be sensitive to the expectations of residents, be able to feel them, identify them and not be afraid to implement them even in the format of a test-experiment. As we were told at Brusnika, the company has created its own sociological center, which regularly conducts surveys of residents and identifies needs.

“We are constantly looking for improvements. We regularly test new solutions on our projects, see the effect and distribute it further or not. For example, a smart home system is not in demand among Russian metropolitan residents in the same way as paw washers for dogs – we tested these solutions in our projects and came to the conclusion that they are not relevant today. But neighborhood centers have become so popular that we have decided to build such a space in each project,” shares Rogozhnikov.

Neighborhood centers developed in Brusnika are an organic continuation of the general approach to the functional use of mixed use space (multifunctional design or mixed use, combining and combining residential and commercial components). Simply put, everything should be functional and friendly – to create an atmosphere of good neighborliness in the residential complex. The important thing is that these 140 sqm are not the format of an expanded lobby – this is precisely a full-fledged space – a kind of addition to the apartment. Functionally zoned and suitable for family holidays with children, as well as for holding master classes on making bruschetta and cakes or conducting yoga practices, not to mention the possibilities for remote work. And as Elena Kolmagorova, manager of the management company of the European Coast microdistrict, told us, in the first 10 months alone, about 130 family holiday events were held at the Neighborhood Center. Every day, eight to ten people use the coworking space, and every Thursday the residents of the house hold meetings where they “neighborly” solve pressing issues of life at home. It is, of course, worth mentioning that this concept of public space has received international recognition – gold from the prestigious Seoul Architecture and Design Award ArchFrame Design Award 2024.

Of course, the question of cost arises – who pays for everything? The question is relevant, as is the answer to it – not everything is measured by money. But essentially, not all solutions related to public spaces are expensive. Of course, the landscaping that Brusnika uses in her projects is expensive – it is about 5% of the budget of the entire project. At the same time, maintaining a neighborhood center costs the owners of urban villas only 1.85 rubles. from one sq. m of apartment per month! (the cost of maintenance is included in the rent), where in the city you can find a coworking space for the whole day or a room for a family party for 30 people for such amounts. In Brusnika itself, the experience of creating neighborhood centers is assessed as successful and will be further scaled up – another 20 similar centers will be built in other projects of the company in the next five years.

All these elements – landscaping, pedestrian and bicycle paths, neighborhood centers and other specialties – are more valuable than the cost of their operation per square meter. But it is precisely because of their presence that many choose Brusnika projects for life.

The company believes that a prosperous living environment allows us to maintain a high level of comfort, safety and mental health of residents. “In the long term, this works for the life of the project in its original condition – there is a direct benefit from savings on operation,” shares Elena Kolmagorova, “And also, if in the area a person can move freely with a stroller or in a wheelchair from an apartment to a cafe on embankment. If for guests and couriers in each entrance there is a clean, warm and illuminated vestibule, in which there is an intercom and our hands will not freeze until the door is opened for us. If it is not customary to damage furniture and paint on the walls in entrances, and if this happens, the original appearance will be quickly restored. If you can hold concerts in a parking lot, then we are fulfilling our mission: “Live like a person.” The community of the prosperous will grow. More areas like this mean healthier cities.”