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Wooden cube
The best realization of a Lithuanian house
Vilnius
2007
Taking into account the natural and human-created environment, as well as the uniqueness of the builders, a family house is being constructed in the Bireliai Gardens. In the Raudondvaris forest, a part of the forest was cleared, and in 1977, an irregular square-shaped mass of collective gardens was formed.
In search of conceptual connections with the environment, the cutting in the forest mass becomes important as a "negative" form of space, and the new wooden cube as a "positive" form within the mass. The original cube shape, contemplated in the context of place, time, and tradition, acquires a unique expression. Remembering the recent past and the often oppressive and pompous effect of cubes in Soviet modernism architecture, the new creation aims for humaneness and harmony with the location.
Connections are sought with traditional wooden houses and their color palette: gray, white, and red accents. The house material consists of gray spruce wood, white plaster, and metal-rusted details of fir needles, stairs, and railings made of reinforcement. Here, the "construction" surfaces become final and no longer decorative areas.
The first gates into the plot are perceived as symbolic initial home doors.
The fireplace's location is in the middle of the house.
Changes in technological possibilities allow for a flat roof installation. Exploited roofs and terraces compensate for the small plot area and create interesting recreational panoramic spaces.
An important finishing touch to the house is its "head," an attic serving as a technical access to the roof... for stargazing.
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