Andrus Bezdar and Alexey Korablyov are the co-founders of ZROBIM Architects, an international architecture firm established in 2011. The firm, headquartered in Minsk, Belarus, has expanded its presence by establishing offices in Tbilisi, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Moscow, St. Petersburg, New York and Florida. ZROBIM Architects is known as an advocate of natural minimalism, with its modern and innovative projects in various sectors: residential, commercial, and public architecture. In addition to design, the studio is actively producing films on two YouTube channels, featuring both its projects and its peers, thus educating the audience and popularizing a conscious and aesthetic approach to design. In Eastern Europe, the studio is a leader and authority in the field of design and premium real estate. The studio’s projects are shortlisted in international design competitions such as Azure, Architecture Hunter, Archello, and LIV Hospitality Design Awards, their projects are published in leading media: ArchDaily, InteriorDesign, DeZeen, ELLE Decoration, Dwell, Leibal, Plain, etc. More than 500 projects in 16 countries: the studio is the market leader in Eastern Europe, has experience in Arab countries, and is gaining popularity in the American market.
Andrus Bezdar [pictured right], co-founder of ZROBIM Architects, graduated from the Belarusian National Technical University in 2014 but has been actively working in the field of architecture and design since 2010. Andrus spent five years building his house and filmed the whole process in 13 episodes, gaining millions of views on YouTube. He takes an active part in architeсtural reviews and broadcasting the studio’s philosophy. He is involved in various initiatives beyond architecture, including curating seminars, mentoring architectural hackathons, being a member of award juries, launching his own personal clothing brand, and building an author’s eco-hotel on the Braslav lakes. His role in ZROBIM Architects is crucial in shaping the creative direction of the office and expanding its influence in the architectural community.
Alexey Korablyov [pictured left], a co-founder, has played a crucial role in the strategic growth and international expansion of ZROBIM Architects. Although he is an introvert, his leadership, together with Andrus, has enabled the firm to accomplish a wide range of architectural projects that combine aesthetic innovation and practical functionality. Receives an invitation from the US as a talented architectural professional and moves there to promote the ZROBIM philosophy.
Together with their huge team, they have made ZROBIM architects a prominent player in the architectural industry with a reputation for creating original and high-quality projects.
What inspired you to become an architect?
Andrus Bezdar: When I was young, I loved drawing. I would draw on walls, on the floor—on just about anything I could find. Seeing my passion, my mother sent me to an art school with a focus on architecture. It was there that I first encountered architecture and fell in love with the profession. I was so inspired by architectural drawings that I began collecting architectural magazines. In high school, I enrolled in an architecture university. Around that time, I also started traveling and photographing great architectural masterpieces. Thus, my journey in architecture began in childhood and continues to this day.
Alexey Korablyov: In Belarus, parents often decide what their children will become because the education system is set up in such a way that a person doesn’t have the time to figure out what they truly like. That’s what happened to me as well. When I was expelled from one school due to poor grades in math, I went to the school where my mother worked as an art teacher. In a way, this determined my fate. The profession of an architect was seen as more practical and financially rewarding than that of a simple artist, so it was decided that I would become an architect. There was no romance in that choice; it came later, though, through my work [smiling].
Can you tell us about your favorite project?
Andrus Bezdar: Every project is special to me, especially those I’ve personally overseen, like Reflection Apartment, Matski House, and the eco-hotel Nomad Houses. These projects required significant time, effort, and patience to bring to life. The one closest to my heart right now is Matski House, where I currently live and work. It was designed to be expandable, continuing to grow as a living space.
Alexey Korablyov: I would say that for me, my best project is my own home. When an architect designs their own home, it’s always difficult to choose just one or two ideas out of a huge number, which will be the best for them and the most precise, right? Well, it was somewhat the same in my case. Therefore, it’s easy for me to talk about the concept and, basically, about the meanings I embedded in my house.
How do you balance creativity and practicality in your designs?
Alexey Korablyov: The concept of “practicality” doesn’t exist for us as a separate notion because creativity is about combining practicality and aesthetics. It’s not about finding a balance between these ideas; it’s about creating something unified where beauty and functionality are inseparable.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
Alexey Korablyov: Everything we do has its distinct signature, so to speak. Thus, the philosophy of our company, or the idea behind what we do, is called what we refer to as natural minimalism. What does that mean? It means that homes are always situated in context; you can’t design a house in isolation from its surroundings, which is why we’re always strongly against, for example, standard or typical homes. It’s essential to consider and start from existing things because, in fact, in many cases—50%, let’s say—the existing situation suggests the form of the house, and its materials; the context is essential.
Andrus Bezdar: The other 50% comes from the client’s wishes, right? The architect’s job isn’t just to come up with an abstract concept but to analyze the existing situation—how to orient the house, and what constraints there are—and then incorporate the client’s wishes. That’s how the final product takes shape. It’s not that we have a specific source of inspiration or that we approach our architecture purely mechanically or logically. There’s nothing mystical about it. This approach allows us to create architecture that is easy to understand, explain, and ultimately effective.
Do you have a favorite material?
Andrus Bezdar: Our style and philosophy of natural minimalism are based on context and materials. Our favorite materials are concrete and wood. Concrete is a product of human labor, while wood is a natural, timeless material that is both comfortable and resource-saving. So, wood serves as an accent and decorative material, while concrete is structural. Concrete is used structurally and honestly, meaning it’s not hidden behind plaster. We strive to keep it exposed. All of our architecture is built on the combination of these two materials. However, we don’t limit ourselves to them, always considering the client’s wishes and the logic of what is best to use in each specific location. For example, in America, where frame houses are common, we wouldn’t pour concrete bunkers. In Eastern Europe, where people are used to complex architecture and large spaces, concrete is more typical, so we use it there. Of course, we wouldn’t build those structures with wooden frames. So, the choice of materials depends on the context.
Alexey Korablyov: When it comes to sustainability, wood probably reflects the idea that we work with non-predatory materials. Concrete is also quite eco-friendly. Yes, a lot of water is wasted in its production, but at least it’s not plastic or some sort of plaster. So, if it’s honest, open concrete, it’s pretty eco-friendly. We’ve never set out to make environmentally friendly houses or anything like that I think that’s mostly part of marketing in architecture because architecture is too expensive to allow for such things as, I don’t know, a house made of recycled cardboard. Even if that’s possible, it would need to be so polymerized to hold all the structures together. That’s just nonsense. I mean, architecture should be rational in the first place, and that’s where its sustainability lies. It’s not about, say, making a writing desk from 15 rare wood species gathered from around the world, just so it costs $100,000. Those 15 wood species are there just to increase the cost of the desk. Well, that’s nonsense. I believe our sustainability lies in a rational and minimalist approach. So, you could say that, for example, we don’t plaster the concrete, meaning we use fewer materials, the production of which requires natural resources. The more minimalist the house, the more sustainable it is, in my view.
What challenges do you face in designing in Belarus?
Alexey Korablyov: Since we rarely design in Belarus now, it’s hard to say what our challenges are, but usually, in Belarus, challenges are always related to the budget. The ratio of a house’s liquidity to its production is significantly skewed compared to developed capitalist countries. For example, I built my own house using simple materials. I have concrete floors, a smart home system, ventilation, and air conditioning. Despite closely monitoring the price and having the opportunity to find ideal contractors since I’m in the field and the project was partly promotional, the cost of this house is still such that it’s unlikely I could sell it like a shot. So, due to the economy, 90% of the focus is on the budget. In countries with high purchasing capacity, this problem doesn’t exist. Other questions come to the forefront, and people are often willing to pay any amount of money just to avoid wasting time on these processes.
How do you approach working with clients to understand their needs and visions?
Andrus Bezdar: As for clients and their vision, our approach is simple. We don’t consider ourselves masters of architecture who set the rules to be obeyed. We try to be flexible and listen to the clients. If a client says they want a glass house, that’s fine. If another client says tomorrow that they want a house without a single window, that’s also acceptable. The question is, how do you feel about this request? You can accuse the client of having bad taste or being foolish, but I’ll let you in on a secret: every client, without exception, sometimes faces such issues, some more, some less. But that doesn’t mean you should turn them away. If you go to a specialist, you always understand that you know less than the specialist, which is why you go to them. And the strangest thing this specialist could do is start blaming you for not knowing something. In architecture, this happens often. Architects build their careers on criticizing bad plans brought by clients or discussing their poor wishes and how they masterfully transformed them. For me, this is unacceptable. Even the worst client idea can always be transformed and reinterpreted in your way, producing a great result. At the same time, the client will be happy because they feel like an important part of the process. We believe it’s important not only to implement our ideas but also to listen to the client, even if their wishes may seem controversial.
What architectural trends or movements do you find most inspiring?
Alexey Korablyov: In modern architectural approaches, the client’s needs play a crucial role. The most valuable aspect of this approach is that concepts are not born from the architect’s fantasies but from the client’s wishes. These wishes can be transformed beyond recognition, allowing for the creation of a unique product. Today, there is a trend toward more logical and understandable housing. People are less inclined to choose a specific style for building their homes and are more focused on finding rational explanations for their desires, often based on information available on the internet. The internet and social media make clients more informed, which simplifies the architect’s work. This rationality is giving rise to a new form of architecture, one that follows the logic of both the client and the architect, rather than being driven by childhood fantasies carried into adulthood. It’s important to understand that just because someone was inspired by castles as a child, it doesn’t mean they need to build one to live in as an adult. And it’s good to see that fewer people are holding on to such ideas.
What advice would you give to aspiring architects?
Alexey Korablyov: Architects should remember the importance of a thoughtful approach to their work. It’s not uncommon for architects, when working on their twentieth or hundredth layout, to stop thinking critically about what they’re doing. They might multitask, like watching a series, and become unaware of their actions. This can lead to basic mistakes, such as poorly placed furniture that obstructs movement or causes someone to bump into corners. Such problems arise from a lack of logical thinking and attention to detail. Aesthetic logic is just as important as ergonomic logic. If you can’t explain why a particular material is being used on a facade, it should be removed. In architecture, logic is key: if a decision has a logical explanation, it can be both aesthetically pleasing and correct. If there’s no explanation, the decision is flawed and should be reconsidered. Self-analysis in architecture allows for the creation of unique designs that are easy to defend in front of a client. When you have a logical rationale for every element, you can easily answer any question. Logic is the key to unlocking every door in architecture. This might be why artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly integrated into architectural work. Architecture isn’t just about creativity, like in art, where you can create something out of nothing. It’s a product of thought, which can be partially programmed mathematically. In the future, only the creative aspect that AI can’t replicate will remain the domain of humans. However, the art of architecture lies not only in creative approaches but also in logical thinking. For example, if your house’s windows face west, but the client prefers morning sunlight, it makes sense to position the primary bedroom to catch the morning light. These simple chains of reasoning form the foundation of architecture.
Andrus Bezdar: I don’t like giving advice, actually; I’m not a great advisor. So, my only advice is to work hard, that’s all [smiling].
