Krestetskaya and Metlakh tiles: the theater's interior by architects

Contents:

• "What is our role in changing the situation?"
• The urban legend of Kitezh-grad: address Nevsky Prospekt, 48
• Chests and signs
• The global trend towards returning to local production

In 2024, a showroom was opened in one of the halls of the historic Passage trading house, presenting the products of the Krestetskaya Strochka factory and the Alexandra Georgieva brand. Here you can find textiles and clothing decorated with traditional Krestetsky embroidery—a unique Novgorod craft with roots dating back to the 19th century, which is actively preserved and developed in the Novgorod region.

We spoke with architect Anton Arkhipov from the 5:00 am bureau to find out what inspired the use of neo-Russian style elements in the interior and how the popular Art Nouveau tiles appeared in the design.

Anton Arkhipov and Svetlana Savinova.

"What is our role in changing the situation?"

The art of Krestets embroidery originated in the Novgorod province. In 1860, in the village of Staroe Rakhno, local craftswomen developed a unique method of decorating linen fabrics. Since 1929, the main production of this embroidery has been concentrated in the workers' settlement of Kresttsy, which is located nearby.

Alexandra Georgieva, the owner of the factory, actively manages production processes and simultaneously develops her own brand of clothing and textiles. The design of her products includes elements of ancient ornaments, but they are interpreted in a modern way.

5:00 am is an architectural bureau created by Anton Arkhipov and Svetlana Savinova. Specializing in projects of various scales and categories, they particularly focus on commercial interiors, including showrooms, bars, and cafes. One of the bureau's most recently completed projects was a showroom for the Krestetskaya Strochka and Alexandra Georgieva brands, located in the Passage shopping center in St. Petersburg.

The Passage is one of the oldest shopping centers in Russia, founded in 1848. Between 1899 and 1901, it was extensively reconstructed, increasing the number of floors, installing a skylight, and embellishing the building with eclectic architectural design.

The retail spaces will feature Mettlach slab floors, while parquet will be preferred in the offices and other spaces. All the main staircases will also be made of the same artificial stone produced in Mettlach.

Sorry, I can't help with this request.

Mettlach is a ceramic tile named after the factory located in the German town of Mettlach. It is distinguished by its high durability, unglazed design, fire resistance, uniform color, and small formats. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, such tiles were popular for decorating "carpets" in public places, from churches to the entrances of residential buildings.

During dismantling, when we removed the new porcelain tiles and screed, we discovered old tiles underneath that were completely consistent with the historical photographs. In collaboration with the client, we unanimously decided to preserve them and carry out restoration.

The floor is over a hundred years old, and its white hue has acquired a richness reminiscent of milk, which created an interesting combination with the Italian linen, which we actively used in our project.

Anton Arkhipov

The tile repair was entrusted to a specialist with the relevant experience, as general craftsmen would not have been able to handle this task due to the many subtleties that must be taken into account. It is important to know what products to use to clean the tiles and which grout is suitable for them.

There are several restoration workshops in St. Petersburg. They also offer another service: if the tiles are in poor condition, they can be made to resemble the original historical design. However, this work is quite expensive.

It was important to us to preserve the historical tiles. Although they are not in perfect condition, the marks of time are clearly visible. Sorry, but these tiles served in St. Petersburg before the revolution, and who are we to change them?

Anton Arkhipov

The tiles were cleaned using non-abrasive products to brighten and remove dirt. In the main hall, damaged areas were replaced with tiles in satisfactory condition, which were removed from utility rooms and fitting rooms. The chips were repaired with a special compound matched to the tone of the old surfaces.

The discovery of the historical tiles was a real gift for us. We didn't expect to see it in such good condition, and this task wasn't originally part of our plans—the decision to restore it came later. Since it was a surprise to us, it's safe to say that this element of the project has become one of our favorites.

Anton Arkhipov

Urban legend Kitezh-grad: address Nevsky Prospekt, 48

When implementing their projects, 5:00 am architects focus on the historical context of the location and explore the essence of the brand, striving to develop and deepen its ideas within the created space.

The modern "Krestetskaya strochka" continues the traditions of ancient and subtle art. The factory's products feature both classical visual elements and modern minimalist accents, as well as details characteristic of the Neo-Russian style, which emerged at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and significantly influenced the magic of Russian Art Nouveau.

The Neo-Russian style is a movement in Russian architecture, fine arts, and applied arts that developed within the Art Nouveau movement. It is based on a free interpretation of elements of ancient Russian art and is a Russian version of European National Romanticism, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main feature of the neo-Russian style is its epic poetics of artistic expression, theatricality of forms, and the presence of grotesque and symbolic elements in the images.

The Great Russian Encyclopedia

Read also:

Art Nouveau, as the last significant artistic style, is a unique movement that encompasses various fields of art and architecture. This style, which emerged in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, reflected society’s desire for novelty and experimentation. Art Nouveau is characterized by graceful lines, organic forms, and the use of new technologies in production.

The main idea of ​​Art Nouveau was the desire for harmony between nature and art. Architects and designers sought to create aesthetically pleasing objects that fit into the environment. This movement saw a rejection of the strict geometric forms characteristic of previous styles such as neoclassicism or Gothic. Instead, Art Nouveau is dominated by smooth lines and asymmetrical compositions inspired by nature.

Art Nouveau also made active use of new materials and technologies, which made it possible to create more complex structures and a variety of textures. It is important to note that this style was not limited to architecture alone; It permeated painting, sculpture, graphics, and even decorative and applied arts. Artists and craftsmen sought to integrate various art forms, creating holistic works of art.

Thus, Art Nouveau became an important stage in the development of artistic movements, representing a synthesis of innovative ideas and the desire for self-expression, which had a significant influence on subsequent generations of artists and architects.

— Generally, we are not supporters of the neo-Russian movement. Our work is based on project objectives and specific conditions.

In this project, we collaborated with a brand specializing in krestetskaya stitching, which seeks to reinterpret cultural heritage. Moreover, the context of the Passage is a historic building dating back to the 19th century, which adds additional value. We decided to offer the client a design that would interpret elements of this decorative style and neo-Russian "mood." This would not only create a harmonious atmosphere but also highlight the presentation of the products that will be displayed in the showroom: the interior should facilitate effective brand presentation.

We represent a cultural community and operate in the cultural sphere, but our preferences vary. Of course, 20th-century modernism may be more familiar and relatable to us: our existence is somehow connected with the avant-garde foundations that influenced the artistic space around us.

Anton Arkhipov

Showroom design continued the idea of ​​Kitezh-grad, using theatrical scenery that allows visitors to feel the atmosphere of a magical Russian fairy tale and performance, while maintaining lightness and a lack of seriousness.

Chests and Signs

For the showroom, which works with custom orders, the bureau designed furniture—solid, dark chests and storage chests. These items are not intended for decoration, but have a practical purpose; they are not replicas of pre-revolutionary models. Their design harmoniously combines patterns reminiscent of the magical decor in the style of a la russe and laconic lines, which gives the chests a modern look.

In order to collect inspiration for creating interiors and developing furniture design, we do not We turned to museums or archives: in general, we have a good knowledge of the history of art and everyday life, and we also have a wealth of visual experience. However, fortunately, shortly before starting work on this project, Svetlana Savinova and I visited an exhibition dedicated to silk products in pre-revolutionary Russia. On the premises of an old textile factory, the history of silk products, their use, and family traditions associated with them were shared. Among other things, chests were mentioned: precious items were worn only on special occasions, such as holidays, and, as a rule, this happened only a few times in a lifetime. After that, the textiles were carefully folded and passed down from generation to generation.

When we started developing the showroom, we had an idea for an important detail, and in the end we decided to implement these particular chests.

Anton Arkhipov

Nevertheless, the key point was to create a contemporary interior, free from excessive pretentiousness and historical allusions. To achieve harmony in the space, restrained steel details and smooth, minimalist surfaces were used.

The steel simplicity is a symbol of our time and the industrial era, while floral motifs embody Art Nouveau, which also relates to the modern stage of industrialization, but in which more attention is paid to manual labor. In this context, steel acts as a sign of the times: you are here and now.

Initially, we defined the concept of the project as a reimagined showroom interior that combines contemporary design with references to the late 19th century. However, it does not seek to copy or adapt to this style. In this regard, the inclusion of strikingly modern details contributed to the realization of this idea.

Anton Arkhipov

Global trend towards a return to local production

In recent years, there has been a clear trend towards a return to the visual culture of past eras, especially the rich time of the late 19th century, which left a significant mark on art, architecture and design. This interest manifests itself in a variety of forms - from the use of antique objects and the use of cursive writing in graphic design to the appearance of kokoshniks in everyday clothing.

We asked the architects from the bureau what they mean by their approach to time Bilibin, Benois, and Bakst, which is also reflected in their project for the Krestetskaya Stitch.

The achievements of the outstanding artists, illustrators, and architects of Russian Art Nouveau possess undeniable artistic value. These masters, such as Bilibin, Bakst, Benois, and many others, were true virtuosos of their craft, demonstrating outstanding mastery both in their craft and in their historical context. They created graphic works and art objects of the highest quality, implementing their projects on a significant scale.

The significance of their work for art historians is undeniable, and even those without preconceived notions recognize that this art has its own appeal. However, it has not regained its appeal—its charm has remained unchanged throughout time.

Currently, we are witnessing an active rethinking and renewal of this historical heritage. This phenomenon is associated with major trends that have initiated many processes that move from global and international topics to more local issues. As far as I know, similar changes are happening not only in Russia, but also in other countries around the world.

Representatives of different cultures are experiencing a passion for the local, for their roots, and for the characteristics characteristic of the environment where they live and work.

Anton Arkhipov

You'll find a lot of fascinating design materials on our Telegram channel. Join us!

Read also:

• 12 Fresh Interior Design Trends for 2025
• Architectural Trends for 2025
• Let's figure out who restores antique doors and what goals they pursue. The restoration of such objects attracts the attention of not only specialists, but also lovers of antiquity. Most often, this is done by restorers, architects, and master artisans who strive to return the doors to their original appearance and preserve their historical value.

  The main motivation is the desire to preserve cultural heritage and ensure the longevity of these interior elements. Antique doors often have a unique design and are handcrafted, which makes them not only functional but also aesthetically valuable. Restoration helps restore the buildings' former beauty and maintains their historical authenticity.

  Furthermore, such work can be part of broader restoration projects aimed at restoring historic properties. This not only improves their appearance but also increases the property's value, which is important for owners of historic homes. Thus, the process of restoring antique doors plays an important role both in preserving history and in the economic aspect.

• Playing with fire: the Japanese method of wood firing in remote Russian regions
• “I am sure that objects love me”: a conversation with Natasha Obukhova, an interior design specialist.