One of the many memorable images in David Lean’s Dr Zhivago (1965) is of the protagonist’s isolated dacha, looking out on fields of ice and snow. The dacha, a second or summer home away from the hurly-burly of the city, is a familiar and much-loved part of the Russian landscape but the Russian Design Show – running in Istra, 26km outside Moscow, until the end of the month – reflects a shift in taste among Russians towards a more contemporary style of living.

The show, put together by Janna Bullock, features three designer houses – by Nina Campbell; Alain Moatti with Henri Rivière; and the auction house Phillips de Pury & Company – and three theme homes: the EcoHouse, the Russian House and the Designers’ House. The show also includes furniture and other works by celebrated architects and designers such as Frank Gehry, Ron Arad and Philippe Starck.