Ilya Poskochinov: "A modern terrace is a multifunctional space"
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25 Feb 2023
A chillout area, or a meditation corner, a study, a place to sleep outdoors, or a summer kitchen? Ilya Poskochinov, General Director of the Create-a-Terrace company, on how to unlock the potential of a suburban plot
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CREATE A TERRACE
Ilya Poskochinovmodern terraces
We create modern functional spaces made of natural wood, surrounded by which you begin to relax, think and feel at a qualitatively new level!
Ilya, tell us about the key trends in the development of the site. What is in fashion today?Now the main trend is multifunctionality.
It began to manifest itself especially vividly during the pandemic. It was at that moment that most owners of suburban plots discovered a common problem: the house in some cases turned out to be detached from the plot. That is, in fact, it was not much different from a city apartment. And there is not enough comfort on the site itself, there is no protection from precipitation, there is not enough privacy.
There was a need to create a comfortable environment in harmony with the site.
At the same time, if until recently the limit of such comfort for people were uncomplicated terraces and gazebos where you can have lunch and drink tea, now a modern terrace is a multifunctional space. People have new needs, and modern terraces have new meanings.
Which ones, for example?Everything is very individual.
A dining area and a summer kitchen with a canopy, a chillout area are still frequent requests. But others are also gaining popularity: a place for a hearth, a space for work or sleeping in the fresh air. More and more often, meditation zones are organized on the terraces to be alone with yourself and your thoughts. For example, in Bali, including in the residence of the emperor, corners in order to plunge into the default state are located on terraces in the shade of pergolas.
When a customer comes to you for an order, does he already know what he wants, or do you find a solution together? It happens in different ways.
In any case, we begin the process of work with an interview. We ask in detail about hobbies and interests, the presence of children and their age. We even clarify whether a person likes to cook alone or in company, whether people would prefer to stay outside if the wind blows, or go indoors. Such things are called scenarios of life on the site, the functionality of the space depends on what they will be. People themselves know what they want. Even if they don't think so, you just need to help them with leading questions.
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CREATE A TERRACE
Does it happen that a person comes with a specific request, and he is not modern? Do you have to educate your clients?
When people come to us with their ideas, they are usually cool, and our task is only to correct them taking into account modern materials and technologies. It happens that a person asks for some outdated format, then we specify which need the person wants to close. Sometimes it turns out that the desired can be achieved by other means. For example, a person plans to make several functional zones, but modern technologies will make it possible to do one that solves the same tasks. So, in a cottage village on Novorizhskoe highway, we made a retractable terrace over the pool. The cover of the pool in the form of a terrace can perform several functions: work as thermal insulation in the cold season and move away with the help of the control panel — in the warm. When the lid is under the canopy, you can dine on it at the tables in the shade. If you pull it out from under the canopy, the terrace turns into a sun bath. Due to the fact that the decking is heated in the sun, and the natural oils with which it is soaked exude fragrance, being on it is akin to a spa procedure.
What other modern technologies are used in the construction of terraces?Another popular request is the opportunity to sit on the terrace in the rain and at the same time have access to the sun, but in such a way that if the sun is too strong to hide in the shade.
These contradictory ideas can be realized through the use of glass and membrane fabric, which will automatically slide out at the touch of a button on an automated control panel and create a shadow when necessary.
And as for the materials? Now there are technologies for proper processing of wood, including its thermal modification.
All this allows you to multiply the service life and minimize the maintenance of the terrace. The most fashionable thing now is natural wood using natural oils. Previously, the paints eventually began to peel off, the wood had to be skinned and painted anew. There was no aesthetics of natural wood at the same time. Modern natural oils do not form a film, they are easy to update, and the texture remains visible. There is an option not to paint wood at all — this is also a trend now. Over time, it fades and acquires a noble gray shade. It is only important that properly prepared wood is used, and then no special care is needed for it. By the way, just such a solution is used on the roof of the restaurant in Skolkovo: it looks just awesome.
Some time ago, there was still a popular trend for exotic wood of red shades, which was brought from South America. But now the trend for exotics is going away.
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CREATE A TERRACE
Which world cultures are most interesting from the point of view of suburban architecture?New Zealand, perhaps.
Its peculiarity is that it harmonizes as much as possible with the surrounding environment and is a part and continuation of it. New Zealand architecture is also very simple forms, flat roofs, rack partitions, open spaces that allow you to create the effect of privacy and at the same time not completely separate yourself from the environment.
Have you had such an experience of interesting integration of the terrace into the environment?We have recently completed the construction of two terraces on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.
Our task was to make the space as homely as possible, so that you could go out on the terrace in winter and summer in slippers from home. At the same time, you feel more on the street, not in the house, see the whole site and the Gulf of Finland. We achieved this with panoramic glazing. Furniture was arranged, three zones were allocated: dining, kitchen and chillout. The customer liked it so much that he wanted to be able to be even closer to the sea, and we arranged for him a second terrace right on the embankment itself, which is three meters from the water. It turned out to be very unusual. We minimized the number of supports and made large outriggers, thereby creating the feeling of a structure floating in the air. Going out on such a terrace, a person seems to be on the captain's bridge.
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CREATE A TERRACE
What should you pay attention to when choosing a company, in your opinion?It is clear that you should like examples of their work, but from a distance a lot of things look beautiful.
It is very important that you can look at the examples of works in detail. You need to be on the same wavelength with the company, it should have a comprehensive vision, understanding of the practical nuances and technological features of the entire facility, and not just the part for which it is responsible. But at the same time, the company should specialize in one thing, and not do everything.
