The concept for the renovation of the 'Vodnikov' House in Gomel

Location: Gomel, Belarus. The old apartment building 'Vodnikov' built in 1936, is located in a well-maintained area of ​​the city on Komissarova Street.

Short description

Comprehensive renovation of a Soviet-era apartment building in Gomel, turning outdated facades and a neglected courtyard into a modern, community-focused residential environment with commercial potential on the street side.

Starting concept

Concept and vision

The client’s brief required a facade transformation that would convey strictness and modernity, using clinker brickwork as the key material. Initial concepts explored a warm, orange-brick palette for maximum contrast and identity. This evolved — through dialog and review — into the final solution: most of the facade is clad in light gray clinker brick, with deep charcoal clinker defining the ground floor and penthouse levels. The dark base anchors the building, while crisp, orange profiles for window frames and bands create a memorable, contemporary accent and visual continuity. The courtyard landscaping was also reimagined to provide a safe, lively space for relaxation and play.

Final concept

Design highlights

— Street facade features active ground-floor commercial units, creating a vibrant pedestrian zone.

— Modern grid of high, thin windows ensures maximum daylight and contemporary articulation, with bright orange framing for rhythm and identity.

— Balconies and French windows use minimalistic white or black metal railings and frosted glass for privacy.

— The courtyard, formerly functionally empty, is transformed into a landscape of natural wood seating, planted greenery, community benches, and a modular children’s area with sand play.

— Lighting, landscaping, and small architecture (pergolas, benches, bike stands) promote social interaction and semi-private outdoor use for residents.

Material strategy

The project uses a combination of German clinker systems in two colors: light gray for the main volume and dark charcoal for the ground and penthouse levels, emphasizing the building’s geometry and base. This contrast adds depth and elegance to the renovated facade. Balcony railings are made of matte glass, visually lightening the appearance and creating a sophisticated interplay between robust brickwork and contemporary transparency. Distinctive window frames and horizontal bands in orange add vibrant, recognizable accents, tying together all facade elements into a cohesive, modern composition. Careful detailing—such as deep reveals and seamless transitions—ensures both the durability and expressive quality of the materials.

Role and responsibility

Lead designer: full facade concept development, visualization, project presentation to the client, authorship of “color coding” and street/courtyard spatial solutions. Collaboration with an architect responsible for technical planning adaptation to existing layouts.

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This project was developed by me while working at 'Mosstroykomplekt' LLC (Minsk). All rights to the project materials belong to 'Mosstroykomplekt' LLC. The images are presented here for portfolio purposes only.