Project: Zaonezhie Retreat
Architecture: RHIZOME
Lead Architects: Tatiana Sinelnikova, Eugeny Reshetov
Design Team: Ekaterina Rostova, Yana Demina, Ilya Belyakov, Valeria Levshankina
Location: Kazhma village, Medvezhyegorsky District, Republic of Karelia, Russia
Area: 1085 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Dmitry Chebanenko
The Zaonezhie Retreat by RHIZOME sits in the remote village of Kazhma, deep in Karelia and far from urban centers. Surrounded by dense forests and overlooking Lake Onega, the retreat was commissioned by two brothers who had spent their childhood summers in the area. Their vision was twofold: to open Kazhma to a wider community of visitors and to breathe new life into a place shaped by gradual depopulation.
A Complex Rooted in Place
The retreat comprises two guest houses, a sauna, and a main hotel building with a spacious hall for yoga and events. Each structure balances privacy with openness, maintaining its own silhouette while contributing to a unified architectural language. At the center, the hotel serves as the heart of the complex, housing guest rooms, a restaurant, a library, and a multipurpose hall that fosters both wellness and cultural exchange. This hall, designed as the conceptual core, embodies a sense of tranquility and connection to nature.
Program and Layout
The ground floor of the hotel combines public and service functions. Visitors are welcomed into a lobby with a reception and bar, while a restaurant and library-lounge invite social interaction. Support spaces such as staff quarters, a kitchen, and storage areas draw inspiration from traditional northern Pomor huts. The upper floor hosts guest rooms, offering comfortable and affordable accommodation for travelers seeking retreat in a serene setting.
Local Craftsmanship and Materials
An important aim of the Zaonezhie Retreat was to support the local community. The project relied heavily on local craftsmen and locally sourced timber. Far from being treated as a limitation, imperfectly cut and roughly finished wood was celebrated as part of the design’s authenticity. This choice tied the retreat directly to the cultural and economic reality of the region, enhancing its sense of place.
Architectural Language
Architecturally, the retreat employs simple orthogonal volumes, arranged with a clarity reminiscent of Suprematist compositions. At the same time, it maintains a dialogue with northern wooden traditions. Wooden shingles (lemekh), mounted by restorers of the historic churches on Kizhi Island, clad the façades. A horizontal band of “volokovye” windows stretches across the western elevation, echoing vernacular precedents while reframing the natural landscape.
Ecological Sensitivity
Equally important was the project’s ecological approach. The site had been altered by earlier earthworks, leaving irregular mounds of soil that had grown into wild, grassy hills. Instead of erasing these forms, the architects retained and enriched them with new plantings. This decision reinforced the site’s identity while preserving biodiversity. Situated in a village known as a nesting ground for numerous bird species, the retreat safeguards fragile ecosystems by keeping the landscape porous and resilient.
A Dialogue Between Architecture and Nature
Ultimately, Zaonezhie Retreat reflects a careful balance between built clarity and landscape fluidity. The austere geometric volumes contrast with the softness of folded terrain, allowing each to heighten the other’s presence. By integrating local craftsmanship, natural materials, and ecological sensitivity, the retreat establishes a meaningful dialogue between architecture, northern nature, and the cultural legacy of the Russian North.
