House J

Function: Private Residential House
Location: Jamakaeva str, Almaty
Project: 2022-2025, Total area: 825 m2
Status: Under Construction

A private house designed for a family of seven, located in an established residential district of Almaty on an elevated site near the Esentai River.
The initial brief called for organizing the layout with the ground level arranged on a single plane, reflecting contemporary domestic principles. The steeply sloped terrain required substantial soil infill and the construction of massive retaining walls set back from neighboring fences. While this reduced the effective area of the plot, it significantly enhanced spatial quality, creating a barrier-free outdoor environment—an important consideration given the presence of elderly family members.

The house is divided into several functional zones: a shared main level with a summer kitchen and terrace, a secluded upper floor, a guest block primarily intended for the parents, and a basement accommodating service rooms, technical facilities, and staff quarters. The design includes a separate entrance for household personnel and deliveries, providing direct access to the kitchen. It is also connected to the lower level, where storage areas and the primary pantry are located.
One of the key interior features is a bright double-height living room at the entrance, offering views of the inner courtyard and centered around a monolithic staircase that serves as a focal point.
Given the region’s high seismic activity, reaching intensity level 10, the building relies on massive reinforced concrete elements. The upper-floor cantilevers are limited to a 1.5-meter overhang, while the central void is stabilized by shear walls, eliminating the need for additional columns and beams.
The terrace, summer kitchen, and landscaped plot are seamlessly integrated into the overall composition, encouraging frequent outdoor gatherings during the long warm season. One of the courtyard walls incorporates a retractable screen for open-air movie nights.
The final architectural concept introduces perimeter cantilevered cornices that provide protection from year-round sun exposure. The façade combines beam-shaped brick and large-format porcelain tiles, complemented by natural wood slats arranged in a randomized pattern.

Project team, Architecture: Evgeniy Shchetinkin, Evgeniy Tsoy, Dinara Usmanova, Kristina Perekrestova, Andrey Talabanov, Roman Volokitin. Interior design: Iliya Sergeev, Dinara Aibadulina, Amin Mirzoev. In collaboration with Metropolis Architects.