House 61

The concept of this house is based on an honest use of material - the concrete shell provides structural stability and also results in an expressive visual appearance. This was achieved by reversing the traditional construction principle and insulating the building from the inside. This solution allowed the load-bearing concrete structure to be visible from the outside, as well as a number of other aesthetically and constructively challenging details. The logic or arrangement of the spaces is also clearly reflected in the volume of the building, which consists of linear units of slightly different heights. The expressive rainwater gutters integrated into the structure and the long, thin roof planes above the entrances give the building its original character.

The placement and dimensions of the windows, as well as the different shapes of the openings, are determined by both aesthetic and practical considerations. The sloping planes of the openings give the façade a unique appearance while allowing more light into the rooms. The north-facing kitchen window protrudes outwards, creating an alcove to sit in. The low and wide opening in the living room is also distinctive - at just 1.6m above the floor, it frames the surrounding landscape from the perspective of a seated person. The hallway has a series of fine concrete columns that block the view in from the other wing of the building, allowing the play of sunlight through the pines to be enjoyed instead.

At the heart of the concept of this building are the structural and aesthetic qualities of concrete. In order to implement this idea, detailed drawings were produced, in which the location of every single formwork seam and clamp was planned. The execution of the sloping window openings and rainwater gutters required careful handwork by the builders. The positioning of concrete joints is also determined by the visual concept of the building, instead of following the logic of optimization of the construction process.

In order to emphasize the aesthetic properties of concrete and the monolithic, sculptural volume of the building, solutions have been devised that allow to omit such unaesthetic details as tin coverings of parapets and window sills. Aluminum window frames and doors are also thoughtfully embedded in concrete facade - either flush with it or as much as possible hidden behind the structure, leaving visible only the moving parts and glazing.

• Finalist of the Latvian Architecture Award 2021

• Photos: Madara Kuplā