Interplay by Babayants Architects

In the heart of Moscow, Babayants Architects has redefined what it means to create unity within modern design. Their latest concept for a contemporary residential complex is more than an architectural exercise, it is a poetic dialogue between form, light and material. The studio has built a complete visual language that connects every public space, crafting a sense of rhythm and continuity that feels as deliberate as it is effortless.

The architects describe their approach as creating a language rather than simply decorating a space. Every surface, tone and proportion plays a role in a conversation that extends across the entire complex. Light and shadow, structure and softness, all speak to one another, creating a design code that is as recognisable as a melody.

At the core of this visual symphony is contrast. Pale neutral walls meet dark natural stone and rich wood. Vertical columns meet curved furniture, and hard geometry gives way to gentle forms. It is an interplay of opposites, one that transforms the act of moving through space into a sensory experience. The design feels alive, responding to the rhythm of daily life while remaining timeless in its restraint.

The lobby establishes the tone. A space of sculptural precision and quiet confidence, it reflects the values of the complex, sophistication, balance and calm. Natural materials and Italian craftsmanship define its character, while the architectural composition invites the visitor to slow down and absorb. Every element has purpose.

The staircase takes centre stage as the protagonist of this interior story. Clad in patterned stone, it cuts through the space with precision, creating a sense of direction and drama. It is the visual anchor around which the rest of the design orbits, a statement of intent and artistry.

Light becomes more than illumination. It becomes a tool of storytelling. It softens edges, heightens contrast and draws attention to texture. It reframes the columns not as barriers but as frames through which the architecture is viewed. These layers of light and structure shape a mood that shifts from morning to evening, revealing different versions of the same composition.

Art is woven into the experience rather than placed upon it. A sculpture by Ettore Sottsass finds home within a dark wooden niche, softly lit to draw the eye. Nearby, caramel leather armchairs by Minotti sit beneath a painting by Theo Pinto, bringing warmth and humanity to the modern setting. The artworks do not dominate, they converse, adding emotional notes that enrich the interior atmosphere.

The original structure included a modest mezzanine, but Babayants Architects saw potential in its geometry. They introduced a bridge that floats above the lobby, creating both tension and elegance. At its end, a veneered podium hosts Cosmic Relics by Sten Studio, establishing an architectural pause, a moment of reflection and depth. These bold interventions remind the visitor that emotion, not just function, defines great design.

The team also embraced the spatial challenges of the site, high ceilings, narrow corridors and low openings, turning constraint into opportunity. Lightboxes were used to reframe proportions, giving the illusion of symmetry and vertical rhythm. The result is a space that feels calm, composed and in perfect equilibrium.

For Babayants Architects, each project begins with the same philosophy. Identify the visual language, define the recurring motifs, and let them tell the story across every scale. Whether in a grand lobby or an underground car park, the language remains clear and consistent, refined, minimal and deeply human.

Since its founding in 2014, Babayants Architects has been shaping a new standard in how people interact with their surroundings. The studio’s work is built on the belief that aesthetics have the power to shape wellbeing. Through elegant restraint and conceptual clarity, their projects encourage dignity, comfort and belonging. With a portfolio of large scale developments, hundreds of published works and more than forty international awards, the practice continues to find new ways to bring meaning into modern living.

In Interplay, their design speaks softly yet leaves a lasting impression, a visual harmony that turns space into emotion and architecture into art.