The Art Nouveau architectural style is associated with one of the most vivid chapters in the history of suburban construction in Saint Petersburg at the beginning of the 20th century. A distinctive feature of the style was the stylization of motifs from northern folk architecture and the Middle Ages. The Dudergof station building was constructed in 1899 based on a design by architect Semyon Nikolaevich Lazorev-Stanishev. Let us examine it from the perspective of architectural style. Immediately, one wants to note the unusual shape of the building, its asymmetry – three volumes of different sizes joined together. This asymmetry clearly demonstrates its connection to Art Nouveau. One of the distinctive features of northern Art Nouveau is the variety of window shapes and sizes.

The windows are strictly rectangular and laconic. Their sizes range from narrow ones on the central "tower" to wider ones on the adjacent volumes. The strictness and simplicity of the windows are emphasized by the inter-window piers with contrasting color inserts of glazed light-yellow bricks, outlined with white plaster.

The stone plinth and, undoubtedly, the element known as "battlements," strongly reminiscent of the battlements of an ancient fortress or Kremlin wall, highlighted against the red brick background by color and volume, visually separate the first floor from the rest of the structure.

The second floor is a combination of semi-arched openings, emphasized by contrasting light-yellow curved caps with strict rectangular inter-window piers. Next, let us pay attention to the central part of the building, the "tower." Undoubtedly, this is the most prominently highlighted part by the architect. Arched window openings framed by flowing rounded caps, casings reminiscent of "terem elements," with half-columns and pilasters made of textured material. Above is a round window with color and textured framing, like the second-floor windows, slightly recessed into the building facade. The entire composition on the platform side of the facade is emphasized by a huge arch made of contrasting color and textured inserts on the smooth surface of red brick and accented by battlements of light glazed brick. I want to draw your attention to the faceting of the windows, especially on the second floor of the central volume. Very elegant window frames, executed in the form of narrow arches within the volume of a large arched window. This is one of the principles of Art Nouveau – natural light saturation of interior spaces. The sun, playing and reflecting in the small mosaic glass, creates a rainbow effect, scattering bright sunbeams inside the room, saturating it with light. Now let's move on to the finishing. Art Nouveau is characterized by the use of natural materials in building finishes. The plinth is composed of roughly processed slabs of limestone tuff – Pudost stone.

The main volume of the building is made of red brick. It contrasts with the yellow glazed brick and white textured plaster. The top of the building is an openwork of wood and metal. It may seem that the materials are very different, but let’s look at the building as a whole. The transition from massive stone, then brick, to wood with carving and openwork metal elements – spires, fences, gables, caps – is a deliberately contrasting juxtaposition that transforms construction material into finishing, artistic material. Let us pay attention to the picturesque silhouette of the roof with attic windows, chimneys, and grille. The chimney pipes are turned into aesthetically complete elements of the whole. The height of the chimney is intentionally enhanced by a tented cap with a spire – we see the transformation of a utilitarian function into an artistic structure. The grilles are decorated with a geometric pattern in the form of triangles and rhombuses with small caps.

Another detail used by the architect is the repeated use of the triangle shape – in the porch, in the design of the attic windows, and the roof. This geometric figure itself points upwards, and the carving fills its volume with air and energy, and this upward striving is further enhanced by spires and peak caps of chimneys with gables. The building is light; it seems to float. It is pleasant to look at.

Some decorative elements of the building – stucco rosettes, medallions, pilasters – are characteristic of earlier stages of architecture. But this is a distinctive feature of Saint Petersburg Art Nouveau – the combination of old architectural elements with new trends. Also, the facade decoration includes rustication, string courses; carved wooden cornices, four carved porches in the Russian terem style, and more.

A little about the interior decoration: the floor was covered with Metlakh tiles – mosaic flooring. Moreover, the station building had at least two types of tiles. The first – pieces of white and gray smalt in the form of a flower (which can be seen in the Dudergof museum) and the second, simpler – two-colored diamonds, probably for service rooms. Currently, it is said that small fragments of this tile flooring still remain in the station building. The first type was torn out and mercilessly dumped into ditches near the station.

Of course, there were stoves inside (unlikely fireplaces), which is traditional for station premises. Speaking of the station building, one cannot fail to mention the structures around it and, of course, the natural surroundings. The entire complex of station buildings – buffet, canopies, verandas – was executed with great elegance in a unified romantic style and looks wonderful against the backdrop of the hill, enriching the landscape.

Today, the complex of carved station buildings, the wooden interior decoration of the station itself, and the metal roof decorations are completely lost. Now it is a massive, shabby building "with traces of former beauty." Yes, the former beauty is still discernible, the style is still visible. But the Metlakh tiles are already being replaced by faceless cheap substitutes.

Sources:

https://vk.com/@lermontova26-dudergof-zdanie-stancii-severnyi-modern
Elena Kurylyova

https://www.citywalls.ru/house22864.html