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ESSENCE by BABAYANTS ARCHITECTS: Meditative Public Space in Moscow

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Modern minimalist hotel lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant neutral furniture and a central wooden feature highlighting contemporary interior design and architecture.

BABAYANTS ARCHITECTS presented a new project in the heart of Moscow — public interiors for a boutique residential complex. The project titled ESSENCE, developed by the design team, reflects the studio's minimalist philosophy, going beyond decorative trends to create an interior experience based on form, emotion and spatial purity.

ESSENCE is not just a physical environment but a return to the fundamentals of architecture — meditation on stillness, balance and the primary connection between space and human presence.

Residential Spirit in Public Space

The design rejects typical elements of public interiors. Upon entry, guests are greeted by a central axis reminiscent of a private home. This intentional layout conveys warmth and familiarity — an architectural embrace rather than a formal threshold. The inner courtyard visible from the main axis adds transparency and a gentle connection to nature.

The architects see a new path in modern public interiors: "It's the combination of clarity and nostalgia — something contemporary yet emotionally significant, like a memory rediscovered".

Sculptural Moderation and Flow of Space

At the heart of the project is strict architectural discipline. BABAYANTS ARCHITECTS, known for geometric precision and proportionality, created a space that balances strict vertical lines with soft contours and smooth transparency.

A key feature of the project is a glass wall panel that opens up views to the level below. This changes how walls are perceived — not as separators but as channels of perception. It creates layers of perspective, inviting movement and contemplative exploration.

The Invisible Central Element

Beyond this semi-transparent boundary lies what the architects call a "hidden treasure" — a staircase not intended for central attention, but presented as a sculptural form revealed in fragments. "Architecture should not shout," they say. "Its value often lies in subtlety, in what is felt rather than seen".

The low circular reception desk underscores this ideology. It intentionally minimizes the presence of a concierge, creating a space that feels personal and unobserved — yet fully controlled.

Materiality as Meaning

ESSENCE is also an exploration of material as a primary element. The team deeply worked with natural stone, not just as a surface but as a tactile living component of the design. By rejecting traditional wall finishes, architects chose to reveal the structure of the stone — its construction, cut and built-in history.

"You don't just see the texture," they explain, "you feel the essence of the material — its raw nature that sets the tone for the entire space".

This approach reflects the studio's belief that materials carry emotional weight. Here, stone becomes more than aesthetics — it becomes atmospheric.

Symmetry, Silence and Calm

In an era of information overload, ESSENCE offers the opposite: tranquility. The spatial system is based on key axes guiding movement and visual calm. Symmetry, soft light and refined proportions become tools to create balance and inner clarity.

This is not a space designed for impact but one for comfort — to bring the mind into a state of presence.

Intentional Design, Emotional Depth

Every decision within ESSENCE was made with intention. No gesture is decorative; each element roots in functionality and emotion. The space supports rather than dominates. It allows for silence, invites contemplation, and respects the human need for calm.

This is what BABAYANTS ARCHITECTS call a return to essence — a design philosophy that values the inner over the effect.

Minimalist lobby with low sofas, central interior tree and floor-to-ceiling windows.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSModern lobby with elegant curved reception desk and symmetrical seating area.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSSpacious seating area in the lobby with plush sofas and a tree planted in a garden container.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSModern corridor with wooden panels and ceiling soft lighting.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSLift entrance located between warm wooden panels and grey concrete walls.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSView of corridor from lift to open lobby, with wooden walls on both sides.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSClose-up of metal lift doors in a modern lobby with wooden walls.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSCorner view of lift with wooden architecture and signage.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSElegant modern floor indicator embedded in dark wooden panel.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSLobby corner with soft grey sofa, brown rug and interior wood next to a concrete wall.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSBright lobby interior with glass table and plush sofas surrounded by tall windows.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSModern reception area with metal table and warm wooden walls.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSView into modern seating area through wooden corridor with minimalist chairs and black lamps.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSMinimalist lobby corner with black chairs, glass table and textured concrete walls.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSElegant glass railing next to soft grey chairs in a modern lobby.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSSculptural metal staircase in a spacious wooden atrium with soft lighting.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSClose-up of staircase with wooden steps and built-in lights, surrounded by metal railings.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSTop view of illuminated staircase in a modern interior made of wood and concrete.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSDetail of curved glass railing on staircase with wooden walls.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSMinimalist bathroom with floating steel sink and vertical illuminated mirror.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSClose-up of modern steel sink with wall-mounted faucet and dispensers.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSGrey minimalist bathroom with floating toilet and hidden soft lighting.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSWooden mailboxes numbered 1 to 16 in a bright minimalist lobby corner.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSSide view of mail storage system with books and packages, combined with grey cubbies.Photo © BABAYANTS ARCHITECTSUnfolded diagram of staircase showing individual design components.Axonometric diagram of spiral staircase and vertical movement concept.Architectural axonometric of spiral staircase in abstract form.