Alexander Tischler Designs Larch-Clad Residence on Volga River with Fish-Scale Inspired Facades

Architectural firm Alexander Tischler LLC has completed The Scaly House, a residential project situated on a waterfront property in Russia's Tver region along the Volga River. Designed by architect Alexander Tischler, the structure features exterior surfaces covered in textured larch wood shingles that will naturally weather to a silvery gray, with their overlapping arrangement drawing inspiration from fish scales. The building comprises three main sections that house distinct functional areas: one contains kitchen and living spaces, another accommodates the master bedroom suite, and the third includes two children's bedrooms. These volumes are strategically positioned to offer views of the river and garden, connected by a central hallway that incorporates additional rooms such as a study and guest quarters. The north-facing orientation toward the Volga minimizes south-facing windows, with skylights implemented to provide daylight illumination. From the street, the residence presents a dark, windowless facade contrasted by lighter-shingled sections, while the riverfront perspective evokes the appearance of a traditional fishing village. The design integrates interior planning with architectural elements to maintain visual connections between indoor spaces and the surrounding landscape. Project credits include creative director Karen Karapetian, lead project architect Tatiana Cherkasova, lead project designer Diana Besedina, and architectural visualizer Dimitri Rimss.