© Leonas Garbacauskas

• Architects: Arches
• Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
• Area: 660.38 sqm
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Leonas Garbacauskas

• Team: Arunas Liola, Edgaras Neniskis, Rolandas Liola, Enrika Ges tautaite, Marijus Vroblevic ius
• Interior: Studio Pazma
• Structural Engineers: : Arvydas Stumbras, Tomas Zvinys

© Leonas Garbacauskas

From the architect. LINEA – an office and the showroom for exclusive quality and interior decoration materials.

© Leonas Garbacauskas

The building is located in the historic district Zverynas, the former summer resort and recently part of an old town of Vilnius. Rich with old wooden houses and natural vegetation it is considered one of the most preserved historic small scale homesteads of the city. This is what has become the main challenge – to face the strict architectural and urban protection requirements, by the same time to create a contemporary, memorable, open and inviting object for the public use.

© Leonas Garbacauskas

The structure of the building responds to the surrounding small urban scale. The composition consists of two smaller volumes that cross and overpass each other. Slightly irregular volumes reflect the shape of the plot as well as create the sense of a natural move. This is what comes from the neighboring buildings – chaotic, irregular, old wooden and brick structures. With an intention to integrate into the small urban building scale of Zverynas the volume is complex as well as the silhouette interprets the gable homestead house typology. The narrow facades are orientated towards the main street.

Floor Plan

Section

The main idea for the aesthetic expression was inspired by the urban environment and the company’s name “Linea”(Lat. – one of the meanings is”the line”). The composition of the volumes is inspired by he small, variable character of adjacency, whereas the external expression and materiality reflects the activities and interpretation of the company itself. Ceramic plates are individual rectangular ceramic elements are used for the facade finishing. Blinds as well as separate volumetric ceramic stripes in front of the glass windows create gracefulness, lightness and the sense of openness. The dynamic facade line graphics is perceived by opaque surfaces interlacing with a variety of single ceramic strips. In addition to the aesthetic function the horizontal blinds protect the premises from overheating. The shadow graphics become an integral part of the interior. The goal was to achieve a sense of integrity – therefore, the ceramic wall finishing also continuously covers the roof slopes. The plastic roof ridge detail underlines the idea of continuity and integrity of the volumes.

© Leonas Garbacauskas

The compact building structure consists of the three floors. The first and the second floors serve as the exposition space. The third floor shelters the office space. The stairs as well as elevator ensures the accessibility to the commercial spaces on the second floor.

An idea for the interior was a maximum withdrawal of excess decorating. Leaving open, floating interior spaces was with a clear idea for sales – to exhibit and represent the interior and finishing materials. Exposed concrete surfaces, apparent duct systems and exhibited lightning become secondary background elements. (Interior design proposed together with the interior design studio – “Plazma”).

© Leonas Garbacauskas

The plot is paved with openwork concrete pads filled with rubble. It becomes a comfortable way to drain the surfaces and collect the rain water. As an interface with the homestead surroundings proposed is the lawn and the greenery. Emphasized is the openness, easy accessibility and the public nature of the building.

© Leonas Garbacauskas

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Courtesy of Thom Craig

• Architects: Thom Craig
• Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Collaborator: Bushnell Builders
• Area: 24.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Courtesy of Thom Craig

Courtesy of Thom Craig

The site for the 5 x 5m four storey tower is situated in the centre of the upmarket shopping precinct of Merivale, Christchurch. The Client purchased this tiny vacant 25m2 site (previously used for public toilets) from the City Council approximately 15 years ago. The current re-build of the City since the devastating 2011 earthquakes has given developers the opportunity to re-think urban space and public engagement. 

Courtesy of Thom Craig

The Tower has a tapering cross-section to accommodate the maximum plot ratio allowed on the site. The four floor plates are attached to an atrium that travels the full height of the building. The ground floor accommodates a garage, laundry and entrance/stair leading up to the living, office, kitchen on the first floor. An open steel stair takes one up through the open atrium void up to the second floor which contains the bedroom/study and bathroom. At this level a retractable concealed ceiling stair connects one to the third floor library/reading room. The final connection is out onto the roof terrace via the library ladder. This ‘moon’ terrace house the mechanical plant and affords 360 degree views across the city.

Section

Section

All the natural lighting is obtained from the south only, as the remaining three facades are located on the boundary. This southern facade clad in silver aluminium is in sharp contrast to the remaining solid black elevations. An integrated 3 story electronic adjustable louvre system provides privacy at night while during the day its ‘open mode’ reflects natural light deep into the various floors.

Courtesy of Thom Craig

The client has provided a ‘generous build’ that generates visual and physical richness to the surrounding existing built fabric, both during the day (totem) and night (lantern)

Courtesy of Thom Craig

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