House 12 is the fourth building that was restored in the New Holland: Cultural Urbanization project. It was built later than the rest of the Island’s buildings, in
House 12 consists of two buildings: the corner building 12a, which overlooks Truda Square and the Admiralteysky Canal, and building 12 that stands along the Kryukov Canal. The two buildings are adjoined and according to the new plan will have a through walkway. The total area of the building is 15,900 m2.
The restoration and renovation work on the building took three years. The same technology was used for the restoration of the facades and brickwork as for the previously restored buildings of the Foundry, the Commandant’s House and the Bottle House. The restoration work on House 12 included more than 20,000 m2 of brick facades, interior walls and vaults, using about 400,000 historical bricks. More than 300 m2 of historical granite and limestone elements were restored, as well as over 4,500 m2 brick seams. Work was also carried out to restore and renovate the Monier vaults with a total area of more than 6,000 m2.
The building is equipped with modern energy-efficient engineering systems. A fully mechanized parking area for the residents of the building has been installed at the pedestrian bridge across the eastern canal, which allows the Island to maintain a car-free approach.
The interior of public spaces is designed to fit in with the style of other buildings of the Island: the “thermometer” lamps on the interior facades repeat the lamps of the courtyard of the Bottle House, a cast-iron canopy at the main entrance to House 12 echoes the entrance groups of the Foundry and the Commandant’s House. There are also new elements in the design — limestone and brass on the walls of the stairwells, black granite and metal in the cladding of the steps. The walls of two staircases of House 12 are decorated with gray sandstone, a natural stone resembling concrete, with brass strip inserts running through the entire height of the staircase. Black flights of stairs are separated from the main space by light, creating a soaring effect, while numerous lines emphasize the geometry and airiness of the space.
Special attention was paid to the gate fillings of the building’s facade. These are giant wooden structures with doorways on the ground floor which completely replicate the original drawings. Twenty-one such “windows”, all eleven meters high, have been installed alongside the Admiralteysky and Kryukov Canals. The constructions are made of oak in accordance with modern high-tech production standards. Modern energy-saving windows have a triple glazing, which provides improved heat and sound insulation indoors.
The interiors of House 12’s public spaces (entrances, halls, staircases) as well as all decorative elements of the facades were created by Ludi Architects bureau.
The architectural illumination of the buildings was designed by the British design studio PJC Lights.
LANDSCAPING
Along with the building, a new part of the park was also added to the open territory. Now the building can be bypassed on the side of the Kryukov Canal, where new trees are planted and soft paths and places for rest are introduced.
In the new part along the inner facade of House 12 there is a Garden Walk with apple trees and shady shadberries, as well as more than 10 species of ornamental shrubs and perennials, including hydrangea, mahonia, spirea, snowball trees and willows that change their colour shade from season to season. To improve this area, 26 apple trees, 33 maple trees, 119 Lamarck shadberries and more than other 20 different grown trees were brought from European nurseries. As part of the landscaping work, paving was carried out on an area of 3,000 sq. meters, 1,000 sq. meters of soft paths were introduced as well as 4,500 sq. meters of lawn.
The project was designed by architectural firm West 8, along with the landscape architect Linda Bird (bureau Linda Bird Ltd).
RESIDENTS
Residents of House 12 are the Community Center, Gazprom Neft Zifergauz Digital Transformation Centre and Gallery, Koi restaurant, Tel Aviv By Saviv bistro and Shulz bicycle shop. In 2020–2023 Cococouture and Cococo bistro restaurants by Matilda Shnurova were also a part of House 12.
COMMUNITY CENTER
11 am – 9 pm
Community Center is an urban lounge for those who like to spend time on the Island, a place where you can meet interesting people, work, attend lectures, watch movies, and hold an open event.
Workstations are equipped with comfortable desks, wireless Internet and outlets for charging gadgets, the Reading Room has a large selection of modern and classic literature put together with the help of partners, including special editions for the visually impaired, and in the Lounge you can play board games or ping pong. There is a checkroom and lockers at the entrance, as well as food and beverage vending machines.
KOI
MON–SUN: 12:00–0:00
+7 (921) 111 36 21
Koi is a new modern Asian cuisine project by restaurateurs Antonio Fresa and Glen Ballis, which focuses on fresh seafood, sashimi and handmade noodles: Asian classics in an original reading. Oriental theme continues in the restaurant's bar menu through original cocktails with eastern spirits. Restaurant's interior was designed by Italian designer Fabio Bronda who used exclusively natural materials: brass, wood and marble. The restaurant's name means carp in Japanese - a symbol of longevity and steadfastness.
TEL AVIV BY SAVIV
MON–SUN: 9:00–23:00
+7 (921) 353 22 12
Tel Aviv by Saviv is a new project of the restaurateur Antonio Fresa. As in Saviv on Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street, the menu focuses on the most popular Israeli and Levantine dishes. The restaurant serves hummus, falafel and shakshuka, bakes its own challah and pita, and for those who like to cook at home, the shop sells spices, cheeses, pickled peppers and fermented lemons. Tel Aviv atmosphere is enhanced by vintage furniture, old porcelain dishes, carpets and wall paintings of oriental streets by artist Yaroslav Seleznyov. The bar list includes twists on classic cocktails and a large selection of wines, including Israeli specialties.
ANGEL CAKES
MON–FRI: 10:00–21:00
SAT–SUN: 10:00–22:00
Angel Cakes is a wellness project with original desserts and drinks without refined sugar and gluten, healthy brunches, non-alcoholic cocktails, superfoods, green salads, as well as many vegan dishes. Top hits include avocado toast, courgette fritters and vegan cheesecakes. The food is cooked using as natural and fresh ingredients as possible, taking care to preserve their benefits. Everything is made from scratch, from toast to cake - even the guacamole is never frozen. The café has a terrace, a mini-library, a children's area, Wi-Fi, and a healthy products display.
SHULZ BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS
11 am – 9 pm
A bicycle shop Shulz has opened on the first floor of House 12. Since 2008, this St. Petersburg brand has been producing perfect city bicycles, simple, reliable, and suitable for everyone — couriers, fashionistas, athletes, and pensioners. The model range includes foldable, children’s, city, and tourist bikes and scooters. You can also choose from a range of accessories, tools, and spare parts.
ZIFERGAUZ GALLERY
TUE–SUN: 11 am – 9 pm
Digital Art Gallery Zifergauz on the third floor of House 12 is a new space for exhibitions of foreign and Russian media artists, film screenings, lectures and creative master classes.
The Zifergauz Gallery was opened by Gazprom Neft in the digital transformation centre of the same name which became a resident of New Holland Island at the beginning of the year. The high-tech public space is equipped with projection screens of various shapes, innovative shuttle projectors and a concert hall sound system.
The mission of the gallery is to show the works of talented Russian media artists and the best art projects from around the world. Admission to the exhibitions is free with prior online registration.
