Project Name: Residence in Vilnius

Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

Design Team: Architectural Bureau G.Natkevicius & Partners

Total Floor Area: 214 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Lukas Mykolaitis

Feature:

Project - On the outskirts of Vilnius, nestled within a natural setting, rises a single-story residential house whose architecture boldly challenges conventional forms. Central to the building is an unexpected yet precisely executed triangular plan, which becomes the key to the entire architectural composition and spatial experience.

This sharp-edged geometry extends beyond the plan. It is subtly articulated in the building's volume as well – a single-story mass emphasizing horizontal dynamics that seems to cut into its surroundings. The flat roof rises slightly towards the south, lending the form subtle movement while also functionally directing water drainage. The key vertical accent is an expressive linear skylight, cutting through the roof plane above the main corridor like a blade. This incision of light not only dramatizes the entrance zone but also visually extends its axis deeper into the building's structure.

The design of the facades is based on the principle of contrast, reflecting the internal functional logic. The northern facade, facing the approach, is almost blind and monolithic, its primary expression being a textured concrete finish. This closed wall creates intrigue and ensures privacy, its solidity interrupted only by the recessed entrance vitrine, seemingly inviting a glimpse inside.

A completely opposite atmosphere is created on the southwestern and eastern facades. Here, the building opens up to its surroundings with expansive glass vitrines, framed in elegant, graphic dark aluminum profiles. These vitrines not only flood the interior with natural light but also visually extend the living spaces outdoors, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. The minimalist facade palette – concrete, glass, and dark metal – emphasizes the purity of form and the importance of geometry.

Architectural attention to detail is evident not only in the facades but also in the interior solutions, where the minimalist aesthetic continues.

This project serves as an example of how a bold geometric solution can form the basis for functionally and aesthetically mature architecture. Here, the triangular form is not merely formal play but a tool for creating a dynamic spatial sequence and a distinct character. The architects have masterfully handled the complex geometry through minimal means of expression, refined detailing, and sensitive materiality, creating a conceptually coherent and visually compelling work of architecture.

Design Team - Architectural Bureau G.Natkevicius & Partners (also known as G. Natkevicius ir partneriai), founded in 1992 in Kaunas, Lithuania, has established itself as one of the country's most influential architectural practices. Under the visionary leadership of Gintautas Natkevičius, the firm has consistently produced award-winning designs characterized by avant-garde sensibilities and unconventional spatial solutions.

The practice, comprising a team of professionals and led by principal architects including E. Samuolis and Natkevičius himself, has developed a distinctive design language that balances formal experimentation with rigorous functionality. Their portfolio demonstrates a remarkable ability to approach architectural challenges holistically, creating spaces that are simultaneously pragmatic, experientially rich, and visually distinctive.

The firm excels at viewing architecture as a whole, creating functional, user-friendly, and easily recognizable spaces and buildings. Their design philosophy reflects a profound understanding of contemporary living, creating environments that adapt to various modes of habitation, whether encouraging social interaction or providing quiet retreat.

For three decades, G.Natkevicius & Partners has pushed the boundaries of Lithuanian architecture, consistently delivering projects that transcend conventional typologies while maintaining the highest standards of technical execution and spatial articulation. Their work represents the progressive edge of Baltic architectural discourse.