Innopolis continues to grow: the city is part of an economic zone of the technological implementation type, with new technology parks, a self-check-in hotel, the largest data center in the Volga region, and other facilities that are currently under construction. Despite all the latest technologies, these developments require the presence of specialists and their families. For future “Innopolians” – this is the official ethnonym, by the way!—a residential district “U” is being built, where apartments can already be bought, and not just rented.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1.
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The project work began in 2021 by T+T Architects, which then underwent an expert review. Later, the HADAA company updated the urban planning, the façade concept, as well as the master plan and landscaping of the district, bringing it in line with Innopolis’ development strategy.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1.
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The “U” district, designed for 5000 apartments, will occupy a large “square” at the entrance to Innopolis, delineated by Parkovaya, Sportivnaya, Tsentralnaya, and Novotsentralnaya streets. The periphery is planned for a denser and more “urban” development, with urban villas and a boulevard on the second line, and a park space and school in the center of the town, which has already been commissioned.
The First Phase
The realization of the first phase, located closest to the already developed part of Innopolis, allows for a more detailed understanding of the emerging “U” district.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1.
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
This fragment – serving as the foundation of the entire development pattern along Tsentralnaya and Sportivnaya streets – consists of a multi-section, U-shaped building that opens up towards the park, as well as of two urban villas: one is aligned along the courtyard axis, and the other along the axis of the inner dead-end street, with its turnaround area ending in a small square. In this way, two lines of development are formed with two distinct types of housing, providing a comfortable environment for motorists and pedestrians alike, as well as a hierarchy of public, “semi-private”, and private spaces.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. The master plan
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
Shoulder to the city, windows to the park
The “backbone” of the U-shaped blocks consists of three sections of equal height, five stories each, while each “wing” that’s reaching out towards the park is composed of two longer sections, one of which rises to seven stories. This way, the architects create an urban front that matches the city street, at the same time achieving silhouette clarity, turning more windows towards the green spaces, and isolating the inner area of the block from all possible kinds of external noise.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
Each building features a unique façade design: not only in terms of materials but also in the arrangement of block sections, rhythm of windows, and the overall proportions of the grid. On the street side, the facades are more formal and restrained, while on the courtyard side, they feature a more unified graphic pattern, rhythm disruptions, and lighter shades. The plastique is enhanced by balconies, loggias, and niches, as well as slight shifts between the blocks, which lead to a slight narrowing of the “neck” of the courtyard. This detail will likely not be noticed by future residents but will influence the perception of the courtyard, similar to an entasis.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the boulevard
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The primary finishing materials are Klinker tiles and metal panels, along with a brick made according to the original sketches made by the HADAA company, which adorns the entrance areas, positioned at eye level and within arm’s reach. The volumetric masonry of this brick resembles a fabric knitted on spokes, with a textured thread emerging – one is almost compelled to touch it. The palette of materials on the street facades is maintained in a natural earthy tone.
Apart, yet together
The urban villas offer a higher class of housing. They are compact, more isolated, located farther from the city street and closer to the park and closer to the boulevard. All apartments here face two sides, with corner kitchens/living rooms and duplex units with terraces. Residents of the first floors have separate entrances from the street. The façade finishing is the same as that of the courtyard section of the multi-section building, which unites them into a single complex, and, more importantly, further emphasizes the urban villas’ less significant dependence on the need to contribute to common urban planning tasks.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
Courtyard, Boulevard, Park
The described planning strategy allows for not only different types of housing but also a variety of street spaces with different characteristics and levels of openness.
The perimeter of the multi-section building forms a spacious and cozy courtyard that has no rigid boundaries and connects with the boulevard. Here, there are children’s and sports playgrounds – presumably, each courtyard will have different equipment, which will encourage residents to visit their neighbors and naturally get acquainted. Covered areas provide places for family or group relaxation.
The courtyards are located on the roof of the underground parking lot, but the topography allowed for the creation of three full levels of greenery: perennials, shrubs, and mature trees. The terraces of the apartments are separated from pedestrian paths by a wide strip of juniper, mountain pine, and barberry.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
In the depths of the block, between the urban villas arranged in a checkerboard pattern, there will be a looped boulevard – the central axis of the pedestrian infrastructure of the district. On the side of the sectional buildings, it is filled with active recreation and sports areas, while the part along the inner access road is designed for quiet walks. The plants chosen for the landscaping are selected to provide visual enjoyment throughout the entire year.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The park zone at the center of the block will serve as the recreational core. Together with the client, the architects were able to preserve part of the existing birch grove.
People and Cars
The territory of the internal courtyards, boulevard, and squares is entirely pedestrian. Vehicles approach the buildings or the entrance to the underground parking from the city streets. The space within the block is barrier-free, with different types of paving marking the boundaries between zones.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The internal streets between the sectional buildings form a cozy retail corridor with places for summer cafes and terraces. Guest parking spaces are located in the center of the driveways. To make them pleasant to look at from the apartment windows, they are also generously landscaped.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
Each such street ends in a small square, formed by the junction of an urban villa and the end sections of two U-shaped buildings. The importance of this space for the public life of the block is further highlighted by the paving pattern and landscape compositions.
The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner street
Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
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The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1. View from the inner streetCopyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
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The residential complex of the “U” Block. Phase 1.Copyright: Photograph © Maxim Loskutov / provided by Т+Т Architects, HADAA ARCHITECTS
The master plan developed by T+T Architects and HADAA is as elegant and mathematically precise as a formula, perfectly aligned with the real-world structure. Its components reflect the essence of the whole, and some parts are self-sufficient and can exist independently. What makes the “U” block particularly impressive is the fact that it doesn’t focus solely on itself but improves the situation for the entire city: despite all its merits and innovations, Innopolis is still very small, and to a modern person, it might feel a wee bit dull – parks, boulevards, new routes, and social interactions are simply essential here.
