NEMO / ZROBIM Architects

Architects: ZROBIM Architects
Area: 351 m²
Year: 2025
Photography: Sergey Krasyuk
City: Moscow
Country: Russia

NEMO, a 351-square-meter residence by ZROBIM architects, is located in the Nemo residential community of Russia’s Moscow region. Conceived as a retreat for temporary country living, the project shifts attention inward, prioritizing atmosphere and interior life over external integration. Its minimalist expression, tempered by Scandinavian influences, conceals a complex roof geometry and a dramatic internal atrium. Industrial materials such as concrete and metal are softened by warm wood and textured finishes, establishing an elegant equilibrium between austerity and comfort. Inside, contrasting spatial zones reinforce the rhythm of daily life: open, light-filled gathering spaces transition toward darker, intimate areas for rest and reflection. The result is a private refuge that embodies the creative spirit of its owner, transforming rural living into an introspective architectural experience.

Natural minimalism is based on context and materials. Our favorite materials are concrete and wood. Concrete is a product of human labor, while wood is a natural, timeless material that is both comfortable and resource-saving.
Interview with Andrus Bezdar and Alexey Korablyov of ZROBIM Architects

NEMO was envisioned as a country residence designed primarily for indoor living, a quiet sanctuary within the Moscow region’s rural expanse. In an area where architecture often serves as a backdrop rather than a defining feature, ZROBIM architects pursued a distinctly different objective: to create a dwelling that turns inward, where space and atmosphere take precedence over outward conformity.

The architects developed a design that captures restraint and individuality in equal measure. At first glance, the structure appears minimalist, its composition shaped by clarity of line and proportion. Yet closer observation reveals a house animated by complexity—its angular roof form and the inclusion of an internal atrium lending a sense of tension and movement to an otherwise composed silhouette.

This architectural duality forms the basis of the project’s identity. While the geometry asserts itself boldly against the flat landscape, the material palette tempers the visual drama with a refined tactility. Light, textured walls provide a calm backdrop for the grain of natural wood, while industrial materials introduce a quiet strength that grounds the design in both physical and emotional terms.

The interior narrative unfolds through the careful modulation of space and light. The main living area is conceived as the social nucleus of the home—an environment suffused with daylight, where subtle shifts in illumination trace the contours of the roof. A massive chandelier suspended at the center draws attention upward, emphasizing the vertical drama and spatial continuity of the architecture.

In contrast, the spa area introduces a more introspective atmosphere. Lower ceilings and darker tones generate a sense of enclosure and repose. Heated lappato-finish porcelain stoneware flooring enhances tactile comfort, while the subdued palette creates a sanctuary for relaxation, underscoring the project’s dual commitment to openness and retreat.

This interplay of light and shadow extends beyond aesthetic composition; it defines the lived experience of the house. Every room is conceived as a stage for daily rituals, from moments of solitude to communal gatherings. The architecture guides these transitions fluidly, ensuring that each zone carries its own emotional register while remaining part of a coherent whole.

ZROBIM architects approached the project as a study in balance—between expression and restraint, rawness and refinement. The sculptural roofline invites curiosity, yet the interiors encourage calm reflection. In this way, the design reconciles the apparent opposition between spectacle and serenity, creating a residence that engages the senses without overwhelming them.

Throughout the process, collaboration with the client played a defining role. The homeowner’s creative disposition informed the spatial organization and choice of materials, resulting in a house that mirrors personality rather than convention. Each design decision, from the orientation of the atrium to the selection of finishes, reflects a shared pursuit of individuality and coherence.

The completed house stands as a contemporary interpretation of rural domesticity, rejecting imitation in favor of introspection. Its distinct form does not seek to merge with the landscape but to exist as a personal landmark—an architecture of inner life set against the stillness of the plain.

NEMO ultimately illustrates how a private residence can transcend its functional role to become an instrument of self-expression. Through disciplined design, precise detailing, and a deep respect for material and mood, ZROBIM architects have created a dwelling that invites reflection, offering its inhabitants a space where architecture and identity converge in quiet harmony.