GRS Space: Sustainable Design in an Eco-Friendly Space

Contents:

• Active lifestyle in concept
• Ecological solutions
• Working with space
• Sustainable design in details
• Where to draw inspiration

Eco-friendly design solutions and natural principles are becoming popular in the world of interiors, especially in the West. In Russia, the number of furniture and decor manufacturers focusing on recycling and reusing materials is also growing. We discussed with architect Masha Kataryan where she gets her inspiration and what sustainable solutions were used in the design of the GRS Space beauty bar. It is important to note that the use of environmentally friendly materials not only contributes to environmental protection but also creates a unique atmosphere that attracts customers.

For seven years, Masha developed the Dutch bureau Svesmi, working on projects related to public spaces and the reorganization of libraries in Moscow, including the Dostoevsky Library. As part of the bureau, she managed to implement significant projects for the Polytechnic Museum and the LSR residential complex. However, over time, Masha realized that working on architectural projects was time-consuming, and she wanted to see results faster. As a result, she decided to go into private practice and founded her own firm specializing in interiors. This allowed her to implement creative ideas more quickly and interact directly with clients.

An experienced architect, she graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute in 2012. During her career, she managed projects of residential buildings, museums and libraries in the Svesmi architectural bureau. Masha is currently developing the material service and designs private and public interiors at her own studio, Ruka. She actively runs the "Material, Find Us!" Telegram channel and has created a database of local manufacturers in Notion, which promotes local materials and design solutions.

Active Lifestyle Concept

Blogger Valeria Simakova decided to create the GRS Space beauty bar, and I saw an opportunity to apply my experience working with public spaces. Valeria immediately expressed a desire to make this space gender-neutral, so that both men and women could feel comfortable. She strives to ensure that even men feel comfortable and welcome to use manicure services in this space.

Valeria Simakova runs a blog dedicated to makeup, healthy eating, and an active lifestyle. She gives up coffee in favor of matcha, which she orders from Japan and prepares in her studio, and actively recycles. Valeria strives to incorporate these aspects of her daily life into her public space. It's important to reflect her lifestyle and integrate her blog into the studio's interior to create a beauty space that harmonizes with her philosophy and lifestyle.

I immediately decided to reject gender stereotypes that suggest only soft styles are suitable for girls and only rugged styles for boys.

It's essential to develop sustainable solutions that fit modern lifestyles. It's important to understand that it's impossible to re-produce everything without harming the environment. Sustainable design is a functional approach in which every detail has a specific role. We strive to convey to people the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle and responsible consumption, emphasizing that conscious design choices can help preserve nature and improve quality of life.

Ecological solutions

I met the Eburet team through the owner of the studio, who makes chairs from recycled plastic. I immediately asked what other products they offer. In response, they told us about their panels, and we collaborated on the reception desks.

We emphasized vintage furniture in our interior. We purchased barber chairs and wash chairs from a closed beauty salon, carefully restored them, and reupholstered them in eco-leather. This solution not only emphasized the uniqueness of our space but also added a retro feel. Vintage furniture blends perfectly with modern interior elements, creating a harmonious and stylish design.

Recycled materials are indeed expensive, but in our project we used them in limited quantities. This is also a sustainable solution, as we aimed to minimize resource consumption. We reduced the number of partitions, creating zones for the toilet and sink, and placed storage space in the upper part, which allows for efficient use of space and maintains order.

Working with Space

I aimed to create the most open space possible, minimizing the number of partitions and panels, while emphasizing the high quality of the finish. The room had an impressive high ceiling, and it would seem that it could be closed to hide the utilities. However, we decided to leave them open, uncovering their beauty. Now you can see the textured concrete ceiling with stains, which harmoniously contrasts with the smooth light floor. This approach not only emphasizes the style of the interior but also creates a unique atmosphere, opening up opportunities for creative use of space.

Our work is based on the concept that the salon owner applies to her makeup creations. She believes that makeup should be as natural as possible and highlight the uniqueness of each person. We aimed to reflect this idea in our salon's interior. We preserved the natural feel of the space by minimizing the use of finishing materials and adding elements that express individuality. For example, we have a wavy mirror and a cafe area decorated with recycled plastic panels in a beautiful turquoise shade. This approach allows us to create a cozy atmosphere where every client can feel comfortable and unique.

Sustainable design in the details

I strive to solve current and practical problems through design. An example is the situation when, after washing your hands in public places, you take a door handle with already clean hands. This problem irritates me in every interior. It's important to create spaces that take these issues into account and ensure maximum hygiene and comfort. For the GRS Space bathrooms, we selected elbow-type handles specifically designed for people with disabilities. These unique handles are made in Italy and surprise with their surreal design, reminiscent of works of art. Made of plastic, they have flowing shapes and look like true art objects. We chose white handles to contrast with the bright background, ensuring ease and safety of use. These handles do not require direct contact, making them particularly hygienic and practical in public restrooms.

Irritation often occurs when Someone knocks on the toilet door. To solve this problem, we installed a green light next to the stall to indicate that the toilet is occupied. This significantly simplifies navigation for visitors, and it becomes easier for administrators: now they can simply point to the green light when asked about the location of the restroom.

We decided to do away with towels. While it's nice to have your towels washed regularly or large paper towel dispensers installed, we opted for hand dryers. This solution significantly reduces waste. Drying your hands with a hand dryer is convenient and eco-friendly.

Where to Find Inspiration

In Russia, there is a strong interest in recycled plastic, but in other countries, for example in the West, more diverse projects are being implemented. Here, recycling encompasses not only plastic, but also materials such as parachutes and refrigerators. It is important to note that in Western countries, there is significant government support, including grants for the development of new technologies and innovative solutions in the field of recycling. This creates a favorable environment for the development and implementation of environmentally friendly initiatives, which contributes to more efficient use of resources and a reduced negative impact on the environment.

For a thorough understanding of current recycling trends, it is important to follow Western exhibitions. It is also recommended to subscribe to Architectural Digest (AD) magazine in various regions, as it presents the most interesting interiors from around the world, carefully selected by the editors. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest design and sustainable construction solutions and inspire new ideas for using recycled materials in your interiors.

You can follow new technologies and materials in furniture production on the Dutch Design Week channel. The portfolios of designers presented on the Design Miami platform are also a useful source of information. These resources will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in the world of furniture design.

I recommend exploring new approaches and methods of other designers, as well as sharing your own experiences. I created a database of local manufacturers in Notion, which includes 280 different designers and brands. This database also has a separate section dedicated to recycling.

There are many interesting brands in Russia, which I learned about through the beauty bar project. For example, 99recycle is actively involved in recycling plastic waste, and the Zero-waste initiative, focused on sustainable consumption, is also worth noting. I'm glad to see the gradual development of the eco-movement and the desire to reduce the negative impact on the environment in Russia. I would like to see more projects like this, as experiments in this area can significantly improve the environmental situation and raise awareness of the importance of responsible consumption.

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