In the end of May, in the Russian capital, architectural biennale RCH Moscow is traditionally

held. za bor architects this year presented an essentially new idea of effective use of inhabited areas
with the aim of practical business spaces creation
The concept is especially remarkable since Moscow is the biggest city in Europe with promptly
growing economy and permanent shortage of creative office areas needed by numerous designstudios, modern art galleries and other organizations the activity of which is connected with art.
Peter Zaytsev
Prominent feature of many Moscow areas is the presence of multi-storey buildings with blind end
walls and wide passage between them. This project provides for usage of free spaces between
buildings for creation of original and economic offices which do not block the court yard access.
third floor plan
The first realization of this concept shall become za bor architects own workshop which is planned
to be build in between the two houses at the 5th Kozhukhovskaya Street. The project provides for
creation of a three-floor volume with an accessible roof area, divided with modular floor panels.
The framework which shapes it, is a single structural unit clamped between the blind facades of the
houses. The polygonal main facade solved in dynamical volumes, is made from light and durable
cellular polycarbonate; the facade turned to the court yard is flat and completely glazed.
/archdaily
These so called Parasite Offices are built in the unutilised spaces between buildings. These are
concept drawings, at the moment, that show how the space above a road between two buildings can
be used without affecting the flow of traffic below it. The design comes from Za Bor Architects,
that plan to construct their offices on three floors plus a roof area. The floors will be constructed in
a modular fashion. The overall structure will be fastened to the buildings on either side. The outer
structure would be a polygonal light and durable cellular polycarbonate, on one side, whilst
completely glazed on the other. It will be interesting to see if once built, the overall design will
change in any way. More comments in the Article.
As well as getting all the Planning and Building permissions, I am guessing that the builder, will
also have to get permission from both building owners, on either side, as the structure of the
building in the middle will be anchored and supported by the ones on either end. They will further,
have to make sure that the existing structures can support the new Building. In a way it looks like a
good idea, as more space is always needed in big cities, but on the other side how much can we
keep packing our cities? Even though this is a very inventive idea, a better solution to the problem,
might be decentralising. Instead of having one enormous city it might be better to have a lot of
medium size ones with good connections between them.
/http://www.designstack.co/2014/02/parasite-office-architecture.html
exploring urban infill, the parasite office designed by and for moscow-based za bor architects is a
foreign contemporary object taking up the
space between two established buildings. being europes largest city, moscow has a surprising lack
of creative office spaces and an excess of
awkwardly uninhabitable gaps between edifices. the three-storey work area is suspended off the
ground held up by a lightweight steel structure
clamped to the blind walls of the adjacent constructs, leaving the walkway underneath accessible to
the public. a modular floor system allows
the interior plan to be re-designed for changing needs, with a polygonal faceted wall of
polycarbonate cells, contrasting the traditional orthogonal

language of the region. a large window provides light and views to each floor, while the shaded
facade is a flat curtain wall. this building strategy
successfully repurposes the many unusable voids around a city, not intrusive to the existing
architecture and creates new dynamic adaptable buildings.
This concept of using free space is one that I hope will be prevalent in the future of architecture. It
is forever being speculated that in the future, most architecture work will be renovation of existing
buildings. I say this is rather pessimistic. It implies that we have filled our world with junk that
didnt withstand the test of time and now needs to be fixed and we cant see anything to do beyond
that. What about all the empty free space that we unwittingly built along with physical walls and
foundations? I think we (the collective we) are creative enough to find a way to use this space. And
Za Bors new office on Kozhukhovskaya Street in Moscow is a start.
The office is constructed of a singular structural element that is clamped between its bounding
hosts. Perhaps part of the allure of this condition is the apparent impossibility of its execution.
That being said, I really would like to know how it stands up. Does it punch in to the facades? Is
there a way that its structural elements could ratchet apart, holding the new building up through
friction? I dont know.
Architects: za bor architects Arseniy Borisenko and Peter Zaytsev
Location: Moscow, Russia
Project area: 230 sqm
Project year: 2011
Photographs: Peter Zaytsev
/
http://arch2o.com/parasite-office-za-bor-architects/
Za Bor Architects have designed what they call a 'Parasite Office', suspended between adjacent
buildings and without any physical footprint. Traffic and pedestrians can move freely under the
structure which seems to float above, yet has its own independent entrance. - See more at:
http://www.pauley.co.uk/techreview/inspirations/story.php?t=parasite-office-by-za-borarchitects#sthash.rICR7nOI.dpuf
/
The Parasite Office Building in Moscow, Russia by Za Bor Architects is suspended over a street and
attached to and supported entirely by two existing neighbouring buildings. The main faade consists
of facetted translucent planes which will reflect light in different ways during the day and allow the
building to glow from inside at night. The three-storey building with a roof terrace will be used as
the architects own offices. The building is constructed from steel, lightweight polycarbonate and
glass.
Moscow is perfect location for the architects to design their projects at the architectural biennale ?
RCH Moscow. The brilliant ideas about buildings of Moscow are perfect for such innovative
construction like the Parasite Office here, designing new urban developments to build modern
office. The first office constructed like this will be za bors office. The Parasite Urban office
consists of three-floors volume with accessible roof area will be the main volume of the office, its
divided by modular floor panels. The amazing and creativity concept looks of light and durable
cellular polycarbonate used for the facade of the polygonal volume. Here are masterplan pictures of
architecture and urban office buildings to provide ideas about architectural design project for you.
/Za Bor Architects

 Parasite Office caters to Moscows new emphasis on modern design, while providing a plan for new offices that do not
disrupt the cityscape. The Parasite Office is is attached one story up between two adjacent brick buildings, leaving the
roadway below unharmed. Traffic and pedestrians can continue to travel from the front of the buildings to the
courtyards at the rear.

Za Bor Architects innovative Parasite Office is a hanging building wedged between two existing high rises that
provides space for a design office without disrupting the flow of traffic on the street below.

Za Bor Architects Parasite Office caters to Moscows new emphasis on modern design, while providing a plan for new
offices that do not disrupt the cityscape. The Parasite Office is is attached one story up between two adjacent brick
buildings, leaving the roadway below unharmed. Traffic and pedestrians can continue to travel from the front of the
buildings to the courtyards at the rear.

The three-story office is accessible by an outer staircase, and it also has guarded roof access. The interior is thoroughly
modern and features windows and walls made from polygonal shapes.
The floor plan inside is as quirky as the dimensional outside, making it the perfect creative space for a design office. At
night, the building glows from within, as the walls are semi-translucent on the street side and have a flat, glazed back on
the courtyard side.
/http://soyouknowbetter.com/2014/08/20/cool-offices-hanging-parasite-office-moscow-russia/
In Moscow, it's common for two buildings to have blind walls facing each other over a wide alley. This setup provides
the perfect space for a lithe, little office to build itself a perch. The structure fuses onto the neighboring buildings with
steel clamps, hovering off the ground so pedestrians can stroll under it. It also glows at night, thanks to a translucent
plastic shell, looking like a wasps' nest from hell.

With three stories and a rooftop, this design is more spacious than at first it may seem. It could be
an attractive option for creative start-ups looking to stand out from the pack. The unusual
positioning of the parasite could even allow, in some cutthroat dystopian world, for the people
inside to jackhammer into its host buildings and steal their best employees. It would be easy to
entice them with sweet office decor like this:
/
PARASITE OFFICE
The office is a concept created by za bor architects while designing their own studio. This design uses free spaces
between buildings forming original and economically viable offices which do not block the court yard access. The
project provides a three-floor volume with an accessible roof area, divided with modular floor panels. The framework
which shapes it, is a single structural unit clamped between the blind facades of the houses. The polygonal main facade
solved in dynamical volumes, is made from light and durable cellular polycarbonate; the facade turned to the court yard
is flat and completely glazed.
/

Located in Moscow city, the Parasite Office is designed by Za Bor Architects. The office is
constructed in between two buildings. The 230 square meters office is nestled between two
residential buildings, occupying the space which was left unused until its construction. The wide
passages between the buildings of Moscow are perfect for such innovative construction like the
Parasite Office, creating new urban developments.
/
Za Bor Architects Parasite Office caters to Moscows new emphasis on modern design, while
providing a plan for new offices that do not disrupt the cityscape. The Parasite Office is is attached
one story up between two adjacent brick buildings, leaving the roadway below unharmed. Traffic
and pedestrians can continue to travel from the front of the buildings to the courtyards at the rear.
The three-story office is accessible by an outer staircase, and it also has guarded roof access. The

interior is thoroughly modern and features windows and walls made from polygonal shapes. The
floor plan inside is as quirky as the dimensional outside, making it the perfect creative space for a
design office. At night, the building glows from within, as the walls are semi-translucent on the
street side and have a flat, glazed back on the courtyard side.
/
The office-parasite is connected to two buildings that are located adjacently not however blocking
the way for people and transport. So the construction looks like the two buildings are connected by
the construction hovering in the air between them, whereas in fact the entrance is located outside
the buildings at the side of the office-parasite.
Za Bor Architects first office-parasite will inhabit their own workshop. The front facade is to be
made of light and solid polycarbonate, the other side of the construction will flat and glazed. The
project is challenging but yet exciting. The project has already received recognition at Arch
Moscow 2011 exhibition as it came second in the nomination for Best Architectural Project.
Great Urban Office Design, The Parasite Office by Za Bor in Moscow. Creating the building in
the middle of a dense urban situr, do require extraordinary design expertise. Whether it is viewed in
terms of comfort, security, and decorating the right to become an area that can be enjoyed in a
flexible and convenient. Uniqueness also be an interesting thing, when the building could become
the center of attention of visitors. Here, we present a unique design of an architecture that was
created with a simply stunning. Called by Parasite Office located in Moscow. Parasite Office is an
office designed by Za Bor. It offers a unique concept in this office space. The 230 square meter
office located between two residential buildings, occupying a space that is not used during
construction.
Moscow is the perfect place for architects to present their projects at the Biennale of architecture
RCH Moscow. The parts that width between Moscow building that is perfect for innovative
construction such as Office of the parasite, creating new urban developments related to the study of
creativity. The first office was built like this will be the office bore zas. A volume of three floors
with spacious roof will be accessible to the main volume of the office, which will be shared with
modular floor panels. Lights and durable cellular polycarbonate used for the facade polygon volume
will ensure the beauty of the architecture of the project, while overlooking the other side is really
flat and shiny.
/To overcome the difficulties of building in overcrowded cities, to address environmental issues and
to erect buildings within budget, architects and designers are applying a symbiotic approach.
Using the unused
Thrift with space is a key driver in symbiotic architecture, and an important theme in the Manifest
Destiny! installation by Brooklyn-based artist Mark Reigelman and San Francisco architect Jenny
Chapman. The piece is a rustic shed attached to an unused wall on the outside of the Hotel des Arts
in San Francisco. Exploring the notion of wasted space within the built environment, the sheds
exterior is made from reclaimed, 100-year-old barn wood from Ohio.
Office parasite
In a similar move, Russian architecture practice Za Bor built a Parasite Office in the gap between
two buildings in Moscow. The office is wedged between two terraced buildings, and raised off the
ground. The aim was to maximise space in the urban environment while allowing unrestricted
access to the courtyard behind the structure.
Symbiotic heritage
Some architects are using structures with a heritage and a certain aesthetic, and creating parasitic
structures that at once conflict with, and depend on, their host building. The Louviers Music School
by Opus 5 is a compelling example. The concert hall is built on top of a former 17th-century

convent in France and interlocks with the convents shape in a state of symbiosis, making the
building more impactful.
Organic frameworks
Japanese architectural firm Yoshiaki Oyabu Architects introduced a sense of nature with its Urban
Woods structure. The practice created an urban setting by building a wooden framework around an
existing building, which enabled plant life to grow around the structure. When it appears in a city,
it is a parasitic installation on a commercial building. I want to insert the middle thing between
nature and artificiality, says head designer Yoshiaki Oyabu.
/
Some parasites are good. Ya, I know the definition of the word seems to point otherwise, but
to put it one way, without parasites there would be no symbiotic or mutually beneficial
relationships. This Parasite Office by Za Bor Architects indeed exists more symbiotically
than parasitically in its location. The office couples on to the blind facades of the buildings on
either side, relying on them for support. What do the surrounding buildings get in return?
What used to be a void, a wide break in continuity that exists only as wasted space is
transformed by an entity that brings excitement and life to its surroundings.
This concept of using free space is one that I hope will be prevalent in the future of architecture. It
is forever being speculated that in the future, most architecture work will be renovation of existing
buildings. I say this is rather pessimistic. It implies that we have filled our world with junk that
didnt withstand the test of time and now needs to be fixed and we cant see anything to do beyond
that. What about all the empty free space that we unwittingly built along with physical walls and
foundations? I think we (the collective we) are creative enough to find a way to use this space. And
Za Bors new office on Kozhukhovskaya Street in Moscow is a start.
The office is constructed of a singular structural element that is clamped between its bounding
hosts. Perhaps part of the allure of this condition is the apparent impossibility of its execution.
That being said, I really would like to know how it stands up. Does it punch in to the facades? Is
there a way that its structural elements could ratchet apart, holding the new building up through
friction? I dont know.
The firm's designers came up with the idea by examining their surroundings in Moscow,
where two buildings are commonly separated by an alley or plot of land. The Parasite Office
structure would be held aloft between two buildings, by steel clamps, and would be stationed
high enough off the ground that pedestrians would be able to walk underneath it. For added
effect, The Za Bor Architects' design would also glow at nighttime.
Still in the concept phase, Parasite's model faces some significant challenges, like how the
untraditional way it fills spaces might fit with varying construction and zoning laws.
While offices on the Parasite model would not be huge in size, small offices can prove effectively
intimate for small businesses. Without overwhelming square footage, a small team can come
together to optimize its space without as many differences in opinion on how such a space should
be designed.
And because effective design can often take precedence over size, both small businesses and
notable architects can promote their efficiency by being able to do more with less. Optimizing space
can also mean using new technologies as well as other unconventional approaches to office work,
such as non-hierarchical planning, desk-sharing and working from home.