g.natkevicius & partners builds modernist concrete house in lithuania

G.Natkevicius & Partners completes modernist house in lithuania

Architectural Bureau G.Natkevicius & Partners has completed a monumental two-story residence with a basement right in the heart of Kaunas, Lithuania. The project is composed of overlapping concrete planes and circular openings, thus adopting a distinctive modernist character, and matching the overall atmosphere of the location — a famous interwar villa district of the country. Embedded into a sloping site and surrounded by tall trees, the dominating structure highlights the local topography, serving as a contemporary landmark within the historic area.

all images by Lukas Mykolaitis

rough concrete texture blending into the historic context

The expressive building takes shape as a cluster of neat interconnected volumes with a rough concrete texture. However, the overall robust and rugged aesthetic softens thanks to a series of thin vertical elements, expansive glass surfaces, and large circular openings.

Through this project, the team at Architectural Bureau G.Natkevicius & Partners sought to create a structure that respects and highlights its surroundings, without imitating them. The exterior materiality of the building generates a strong contrasting effect with the colorful houses of the area but still accentuates both natural and urban settings. In this way, it makes it known that it is a building of its time that can still blend harmoniously into the historic context.

achieving balance between robustness and fragility

The materially of the project might seem cold and unapproachable at first, and may even be associated with uncomfortable bunkers. Nevertheless, since the design integrates large floor-to-ceiling windows and the open terraces, occupants can enjoy the modernist environment and the beauty of the rugged concrete textures without experiencing negative feelings. In addition, the design incorporates wooden elements within the interior, adding to the warmth of the project. All in all, the design meticulously interweaves strong solids with fragile elements, thus achieving a balanced residential environment.

cantilevered floors, vertical slats and solar power plant

The first floor gives access to the partially open basement of the building which houses a spacious garage with eight parking spots. The second floor is divided into two sections —glass and monolithic— while a third concrete volume is seemingly hanging in the air.

Upon entering the building through the glass entrance, the space opens to reveal the inner terrace designed with rectangular concrete supports and a circular opening that replicates the façade. The architects have allocated all common rooms on the first floor, along with a vertical circulation area including a staircase and an elevator. The second floor, above the inner terrace, is cantilevered,features two luxurious bedrooms with separate bathrooms and walk-in closets. The bedroom windows on the second floor of the house are shaded with exclusive vertical concrete slats. Such an element not only breaks down and gives a smaller scale to the sculptural building, but also enlivens and softens the façade. Last but not least, a solar power plant has been installed on the roof of the building.