Sampling Architects

The project of House 61—a single-family dwelling—prompted us to share some experiences and insights that we have accumulated since the founding of the studio Sampling in 2010. This book reflects on our perspective toward thinking, learning, and designing. It uses House 61 as a case study through which certain facets of our approach toward architecture are revealed.

Reconstruction of a former manufactory building in Riga and repurposing for beer brewery and café.
The building had been reconstructed and adapted several times in various historic periods, presenting a rich collage of materials and architectural approaches. Our intention was not only to reveal and preserve this composition, but also to add yet another layer of architecture. This new intervention is ambitious and visually intensive: instead of disappearing in a silent conservation of the history it rather orchestrates it according to the contemporary logic.
Decisive cuts through the walls, floors and ceilings create new and unexpected views and expressive penetration of light. However, the reconstruction is obviously not a result of purely aesthetic choices, as all the decisions follow also a careful consideration of beer brewing process and the logistics behind it.

*2021 / completed

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

This single storey house with a visual load-bearing concrete structure is simple, yet sophisticated. Situated among the pines of Jūrmala, its rough volume reflects the nordic seashore feel. Overemphasized cantilevers above the entrance doors and carport along with the massive rainwater gutters form the essence of its distinctive character. The shape of the windows varies in response to the function inside and the view outside. Some are made to let more light inside of the building, others – to shade it; one window offers an extended windowsill to sit on; and another one – a particular framing of the surrounding environment.

Shortlisted for the Latvian Architecture Award 2021.

Shortfilm of the house by Ēriks Božis.

Published in 'Deko' magazine (Latvia), December 2021, pages 52-56;
and Divisare (Italy), January 2022.

*2020 / completed

Photos: Madara Gritāne

Moss green is the leitmotief of this interior design, realised in an existing villa on the lakeside in the outskirts of Riga. The new owners aimed at a complete makeover that would suit their contemporary lifestyle and taste. In order to optimize costs a thorough analysis of the existing was required to decide which elements could be kept, how could these be adjusted, and what needed to be replaced entirely. The project resulted in slight changes in the floor plans, a complete makeover of bathrooms and kitchen, new windows that open the house towards the lake, and other modifications.

*2021 / completed

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

The interior of this vegan restaurant is conceived as a green oasis in the busy city. Tree trunks with rough barks help to bring this feeling to life, while the specially designed sofas and transparent curtains create semi-enclosed spaces with a more intimate atmosphere.
The premises were previously used for a shop, and the challenge was to integrate the existing decorative structures and materials into the new interior in order to reduce costs.
Interior features bespoke furniture and lighting elements, as well as upcycled reused chairs.

*2020 / completed

Published in 'Interior' e-magazine (Latvia), September 2020

Photos: Reinis Hofmanis

This home office was designed as a workplace for two people who needed a quiet space for occasional hours of desk work. The design intention was to keep it as informal as possible and to avoid an office-like atmosphere. Hence, we opted for one large organically shaped desk where the couple would sit in front of each other. The movable freestanding drawer units provide even more flexibility, as there is no predefined workplace at the table. Two sofas and a coffee table form a perfect spot for conversations. The metal cabinet features a sliding panel that only partly reveals its content, meanwhile covering document folders, printer and other business-related items.

*2019 / completed

Photos: Reinis Hofmanis

Interior design with an architectural approach was aimed at bringing more light and openness into this art-nouveau apartment in the downtown of Riga. Minimalistic yet cosy, this house contains only the essential - a bedroom with spacious dressing room, a central living space with a kitchenette, a contemporary white bathroom, and a stylish room for a baby.

Features bespoke furniture and lighting elements, designed by Sampling, which give this apartment a unique character.

*2018 / completed

Photos: Reinis Hofmanis

Published in 'Deko' magazine (Latvia), October 2018, pages 50-56

Interior design of the tourist information centre of Gutman's Cave in Sigulda - the most visited touristic location in Latvia outside its capital Riga.

The brightly coloured multifunctional metal shelving system allows various ways of storing and exhibiting the merchandise and information booklets.

*2017 / completed

Photos: Madara Gritāne

Narrow entrance hall and two rooms were merged into one spacious living and dining area. In order to keep the original plan perceptible, the walls were cut at 2,4m from floor and the upper parts were left "hanging". By rearranging the former service spaces a large bathroom with walk-through shower and bath, and a dressing were created. An oversized wooden panel mounted onto the wall replaced the irreparable original door to the bedroom, becoming one of the outspoken new elements in this historic context.

Refurbishment with an adaptation of the floor plan of an apartment in a historic building in the centre of Riga. Project includes interior and bespoke furniture design (such as kitchen, kitchen table, wardrobe, sofa, cupboard in the living room and bathroom, mirrors, the bench and the clothes rack).

*2015 / Completed

Published in 'Pastaiga' magazine (Latvia), November 2015

Photos: Ansis Starks

Refurbishment of an apartment in a historic building in the centre of Riga (built in 1912). The project aimed to give the existing spaces a light and contemporary look in harmony with the original Art Nouveau details on the ceilings.

Project includes interior and bespoke furniture design (such as kitchen, wardrobe, sofa, beds, table, shelves in the living room and bathroom and the bench with the clothes rack).

*2014 / Completed

Published in Deko magazine
April 2015, pages 36-41

Photos: Reinis Hofmanis

Apartment in a historical building in the center of city Riga (built in 1910 by architect Ernests Pole). Project includes adaptation of floor plan for the needs of the new inhabitants, as well as interiour and bespoke furniture design (such as kitchen, wardrobe, large sofa, bed, dining table, linen curtains).

The concept is to 'open' the space by cutting large openings between the rooms in order to create diagonal views through the apartment. Floor plan changes do not affect the configuration of main living rooms, since one of our concerns was to conserve the original ceiling decorations that define the spaces and relate to the 19th century history of the building.

*2014 / completed

Published in Deko magazine
October 2014, pages 60-65

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

*2020 / Competition proposal, 3rd prize

Villa in the dunes in the outskirts of Riga.

*2015 / technical project

The villa is situated on one of the hillsides of Tbilisi, Georgia. The extraordinary view towards the city is one of the main key features of the site. The building is oriented along this panorama and in relation to the hemisphere.

Three volumes contain their specific program. A wall cladded with the local white tuffstone divides sleeping from daily activities. Local stones - basalt, tuffstone and diabase - carved by local stoneworkers respect the high value of Georgian traditional materials. Light penetrates the building from all sides and plays with the different warm and cold surfaces - water, stone, concrete.

*2015 / technical project - construction draft

This interior features a fresh mix of furniture pieces from different historic periods placed in the spacios living area that is combined with the kitchen and the dining area. Sampling's own designs - the poufs from the Farming collection, Blue table, side table and the upholsterd chair, as well as the black kitchen - give this apartment a unique look. A lot of plants and various design lamps complement the 'collector's' concept.

*2015 / Completed

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

A family holiday house is conceived as a typical house in Latvian contryside. The basic elements of a house, like roof, windows, door are emphasised; also the window shutters are a reference to traditional architecture. Every room has one window. They have all different dimensions and different position in the wall in relation with the funcion inside and the surrounding landscape. The windows have particular frames that go through the whole section of the wall and frame the landscape. Different textures of wood - rough facade planks and sleek frames and shutters - give almost an impression of different materials.

*2008 / Completed

Published in 'Latvijas architekūra' magazine
Nr. 90, Sep-Oct 2010, pages 62-65

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

Interior and furniture design for tourist information centre of Sigulda - the most visited touristic location in Latvia outside its capital Riga.

The concept refers to the main touristic attractions of the city - sport, open-air activities and nature. Turning shelves and ropes with hooks are some of the various display options for souvenirs. They also offer a possibility to transform the space according to the occasion. 

*2012 / completed

Photos: Liene Jākobsone

The main goal for designing the interactive forest information center was to create a generic contemporary addition for the nationally famous National Park of Tervete. The project should allow the discovery of the delight of ‘life of the forest’ through an educational center, but more importantly, creating a space for exchange of know-how of forest science between professionals, students and the general public.

The design also has to be an approval of the ambitions of Latvia’s State Forests to become a socially responsible company as the urgency of preserving ecosystems of forests is becoming more and more present not only on the global agenda but also local one. In order to get the best out of the purpose and the program, the building has to become a transparent mechanism. The use of new technology and the synergy with nature is important but also convincing to explain the visitor how the energy flows in the building and how much the building consumes.

*2012 / Competition proposal

Published in Archdaily

*2011 / Competition proposal, 3rd prize

*2010 / Competition proposal

*2010 / Competition proposal