The House of the Flying Trees (HOFT) combines a respect for history with contemporary functionality and an understanding of the human need to feel a connection nature. We added a new residential volume to the remaining 20th century facade. Every apartment has a balcony overlooking a central courtyard. This secluded outdoor haven is designed to inspire residents to connect and encourage a sense of community.

The ‘flying’ trees are both an homage to Art Nouveau with its nature-inspired motifs, and a way to bring nature into the city. Grown in a special nursery, the conifers and bonsai trees are particularly robust and resilient. We designed special stands and boxes for them to ‘fly’ at many levels and be constantly present.

Since HOFT is lucky to face some of Riga’s most striking examples of Art Nouveau, we embraced the location in our design. All front-facing rooms benefit from large windows, so the opposite buildings become like a painting and an integral part of the room. Indoors, we interpreted Art Nouveau in our choice of shapes, materials and the overall flow of the space.

HOFT is a residential complex for the 21st century, proving that city centres can still be very liveable.

Every neighbourhood deserves its own landmark. So far, Riga’s Grīziņkalns is a largely residential area with patches of an industrial past and a still-functioning liquor factory lining the railway. It has no true beating heart. Our vision for a former factory building is to transform it into a lively hub for residents, employees and visitors who arrive on foot, by train, bike or car. Clearly visible from the Zemitāni bridge, the Grīziņdārzs quarter would serve as the neighbourhood’s business card.

As a true multipurpose space, level one of Grīziņdārzs will feature bars and restaurants, while levels two and three will house offices and coworking areas. With rooftop terraces trending in cities from Bangkok to LA, their potential in Riga is yet to be fulfilled. At Grīziņdārzs, rooftop gardens and terraces are an intrinsic element on levels three and four, providing employees with a chance to swap the office chair for a comfortable spot outdoors. The rooftop bar on level five is another important element to encourage socialising, boost team spirit and employee wellbeing. After all, the workplace is where we spend so much of our lives.

From 1938 to 1988 the building served as a knitwear factory. While keen to give it a new lease of life, we thought it important to respect the building’s history. Some remaining features allowed us to play around with our creativity. Thus a water reservoir beneath the courtyard will become an underground drinking hole. And pavements are designed to resemble knitting patterns.

This pavilion-style house in Latvia benefits from 360 degree views of the rural landscape. Designed to be an out-of-town residence, it sits within a sparsely populated area where passing wildlife is more common than humans. To make the most of the vivid natural setting, the home itself is minimalist. The exterior is clad in tar-treated pine while the decking is larch. The deck provides ample space to spend a large portion of time in the fresh air. Through the windows and covered sections of the deck, the outdoors can be enjoyed year-round. Indoors, the minimalist story continues. There are no loose ends or redundant features. The purity of the environment helps residents tune into the holiday mindset and put their busy urban lives on hold.

Traditionally, Latvian homes have always had some form of yard and this was important to the owner. We designed a terraced garden to create that pocket of privacy and amplify the sense of ownership and belonging to the place. The rest of the landscape has been left to grow wild for minimum impact on the natural environment.

Ziedlejas is a wellness estate with a vision. From day one this has not been a project with a clear start and end, but rather an ongoing process based on rational decision making in light of changing trends, the social and economic climate. It’s characterised by a very high level of trust between the owners, Open AD and team of landscape architects.

With a secluded location in rural Latvia, Ziedlejas offers natural retreats away from the crowds. Latvian tradition and heritage is at the heart of what it stands for. Two saunas have already been completed and a third is underway. Number 1 or the ‘baltā pirts’ (white sauna) is a concrete structure built into the hillside to avoid interfering with the view from the guest cabins. It benefits from natural light and the proximity of the pond for jumping into. The design concept is based around locally sourced natural materials like wood, herbs and linen. The more primeval ‘melnā pirts’ (smoke sauna) is built from spruce and fittingly tucked into the woods. While the sauna buildings remain traditional in terms of their purpose, we made sure to enhance functionality and overall aesthetics from a contemporary design perspective.

A timely addition in 2020 were the four guest cabins in corten steel and glass. Tea houses by day and bedrooms by night, they are designed to be multifunctional. The glass front affords unspoilt views of the landscape and stars at night. Thanks to the neighbouring herb patches, guests can literally pick and mix their own herbal tea blend. Staff will happily explain the properties of each plant.

Future plans include building a central pavilion to host weddings, yoga classes, conferences, wakes and other events. The third sauna or ‘aitas vilnas pirts’ (sheep’s wool sauna) is said to have special healing properties. Another, larger building will house the reception, bicycle hire and a handful of guest rooms.

The Ziedlejas story is all about maintaining Latvian heritage but not being afraid of going with the times. It is and will be a place to get a sense of the local spirit and an understanding of local ways. Guests can learn about traditions and folklore. Everything here is as local as can be with a deep respect towards craftsmanship, the environment and the growing human desire to reconnect with nature.

A home in Riga designed by architects for their own use. Located in a wooded neighbourhood. The architects meticulously planned the placement of the house on the plot of land to integrate the old birch trees in the landscape. Every window is placed to make the most of the surroundings and connect the interior with the nature outdoors. The home was built off-site as a prefab. The cladding is quality timber sourced in Estonia and treated with the Tikkurila Grey Wood product which gives the home a silver patina. Its slanted southwestern facade creates the visual impression that the house is sliding. An intentionally sculptural shape. The timber is complemented by a metal entrance portal and window frames. The metal was allowed to rust naturally.

Every part of the property plays a role in the overall story. The concrete patio is a smooth continuation of the house connecting it to the garden with outdoor fireplace. Indoors, the story continues with the use of timber for walls and ceilings, as well as the colour palette. Although, at 189 m2 the overall square footage is large, every bit of space is functional. The staircase with integrated storage is a noteworthy feature designed to be both visually striking and practical. The furniture at this home in Riga is a mix of self-designed and collection pieces which are a smart way to add colour.

Once a Soviet-style sanatorium, soon to be apartments. As strong believers in the idea of reuse and recycling, we chose to keep what remained of the original buildings. The structures were certainly sturdy enough and suitable for reestablishing as a residential property. Rather than seeing the buildings’ past use and layout as a burden, we saw their potential to become spacious apartments and high-ceilinged lofts. One of the unique lofts is set in the bridge which connected two separate volumes of the sanatorium.

Jurmala, the location of Edinburgh Apartments & Lofts, is a historical resort town on the Baltic Sea coast. Once scattered in wooden cottages and villas, the town is now a mix of quaint summer residences, towering hotel and apartment complexes. While more populated in summer, Jurmala is far from abandoned in winter. Permanent residents choose it for the proximity of nature, the beach, Riga and its international airport.

Edinburgh Apartments & Lofts nods to the historical architecture of Jurmala. Our design concept embraces the lattice wood of the resort’s original summer residences. By adding the colourful balconies and patios we ensured that every apartment has its personal outdoor space. Residents therefore have a strong connection to their surroundings and can enjoy the fresh, pine-scented air.

In the last few years, Jurmala had acquired the reputation of being an expensive and luxurious place to live. Through a sensible choice of materials and in respect of the developers’ intentions, we ensured that Edinburgh Apartments & Lofts is an affordable, family-friendly choice. The proposal for the landscape includes garden plots, a playground and space for exercising to encourage residents to come together and build their own community.

This house in Pavilosta on the west coast of Latvia is in a location with strict building regulations. When the owners bought the property we concluded that the original structure could no longer be saved. Instead, it served as inspiration for the new home. Guided by the principles of local building traditions, the house maintains a typical triangular shape, timber cladding, narrow front windows and a wood shingle roof. The timber cladding is Siberian larch which will take on a light grey hue to match the choppy Baltic sea and northern skies on a cloudy day. Grey has become the colour of the modern day town of Pāvilosta.

No matter the weather, the home is flooded with natural light through the tall, west-facing windows at the back of the house and skylights over the kitchen and living room area. Inside, playful features are also inspired by local ways. The living room lighting, for example, is designed to resemble clothes lines.

The home was built off-site as a custom prefab which made for smooth delivery and little disturbance to residents. This respectful approach allowed protecting the old garden with its orchard. Now, perennials and grasses have been added to complement the apple trees. Between the indoor area and the garden is a terrace split into two zones with the addition of a pergola. Tucked in the back of the garden is a storage shed with an inbuilt nook for firewood.

Underfloor heating and natural, foam-free insulation solutions were a worthwhile investment to ensure this house in Pavilosta is liveable year-round.

The winning concept for a 5* hotel in central Riga. Our proposal is based on each building being part of an overall story on Latvian legends who have played a key part in the development of arts, science, architecture and design in Riga, Latvia and the world. Each volume represents one of the characters.

The territory of the former State Electrotechnical Factory or VEF is undergoing change. The so-called VEF Kvartāls or VEF Quarter area is slowly being reborn into a modern space for cultural initiatives and business. A key part of the development is a historical red brick building which is living its new life as an office block with character. A custom-made metal platform lines the front of the building providing convenient access to all businesses. We made sure every square metre is used efficiently.

Vecāķi is one of Riga’s coastal neighbourhoods once popular as a summer destination but now in demand for year-round living. Nevertheless, 1960s and 70s Soviet-style summer houses or dachas still dot the area. Respect for the surroundings and existing architecture guided our choice of shape for this family home with its single pitch roof and exaggerated eaves. As per the client’s wishes we observed the principles of Vedic architecture in the design and build of the home. This is unusual for a northern climate but can be implemented.

In-keeping with the Vastu Shastra philosophy, the living quarters face north and the home is entered from one side. Inside are both common areas and separate quarters for the adults and younger generation. They are positioned around a central atrium or metaphorical emptiness. The main entrance and central atrium fit together like a hand in glove. Each continues the other’s story. The external light, for example, reflects off the window to create the illusion that it shines both inside and outside.

A wooden walkway surrounds the house to ensure uninterrupted access to the garden and encourage spending time outdoors. Historically, people maintained gardens, vegetable plots and small orchards at their dachas in Vecāķi, therefore the landscape architecture nods to the area’s past and complements the house.

The home in Vecāķi is a partial prefab with a timber and metal structure. Its facade combines wood and Cembrit panels.

Inspired by Japanese tsubo gardens, the inner garden of this home became the compositional centre around which we constructed the building. Japanese garden culture served as overall inspiration. The space around the garden was intended to be transparent, thereby fusing, while at the same time separating the indoors and outdoors. As the project was being implemented, the client decided against the inner garden, so we transformed it into an indoor seating area.

The placement of the building on the plot was guided by the location of the streets and corners, and the movement of the sun. Thanks to our planning, the south side of the second floor receives direct sunlight. Therefore, the second floor bedroom has a spacious terrace with ample plants.

Clad in blackened timber, the boards fit together to create a smooth finish. The main emphasis is placed on form rather than texture. By using metal, we chose to highlight the entrance.

A complete impression of the building is best gained from the footbridge which extends into the garden from the home, connecting it to an outdoor fireplace. The exterior, landscaping and interior come together to create one whole.

This boutique hotel, restaurant and spa in Armenia is located in the greenest area of the country and amidst a fantastic landscape. The architecture is based on organic inclusion into the mountain landscape while also creating a sense of plasticity. Viewpoints are ensured at 360 degrees and each room in the hotel offers a view in at least three directions. Local and natural materials have been used, including wood, basalt, noble metals and stone. The emphasis is more on texture than decoration. Traditional ornaments are offered in a modern and ascetic manner so that the main accent is the surrounding landscape.

KOYA restaurant is located in an industrial area of Riga with a mix of properties such as abandoned Soviet time port buildings, artists’ workshops and even a yacht club.

KOYA means lean-to or awning in Japanese.The idea was to embrace the existing atmosphere and stylistics of the area, retain it and contribute to it in a creative way while also adding a modern touch.

We created the interior by working with contrasts and materials in large planes and forms rather than decorations and small details. The restaurant building was renovated to retain the effect of the original shed (the existing plank ceiling was left without changes), using the existing brick walls. We added the contemporary feel through the contrast between the old robust ceiling planks and glossy, smooth black glass wall and adding huge metal chandeliers.

Large planes and sizes, simple new materials (a long bar and standing tables with black metal finishing and oak surfaces), tall plank doors, huge chandeliers and furniture with metal elements. Together they create a contrast against the industrial setting but do not challenge and conflict with it.

The brief stated that Legend Beach should fit harmoniously in its beach location. Since beaches in Latvia are characterised by light sand, the cafe is finished in a light wood. The facade’s decorative elements represent sand which has been decorated by the wind.

Legend Beach is a multi-purpose venue with cafe, bar, juice bar, souvenir shop, two pools and a beach area with loungers for sunbathing. We designed the terraces across several levels to separate the different areas.

An apartment complex surrounded by quiet streets and green courtyards in the quarter between Ernestines, Dreilinu, Ormanu and Struteles streets. Laconic, modern architecture that lives in line with Agenskalns’ historic wooden and brick low-rise buildings. The silhouette of buildings with their gable roofs and natural finishing harmoniously fits into the visual character of the neighbourhood and enriches it. In turn, the ecological building materials and natural tar paint for the facade make the dwellings sustainable and friendly both for man and nature.

For every building, a front and back garden with flowering shrubs has been tended, so to bring dwellers closer to the nature while living the dynamic city rhythm. The landscape is designed with families in mind, so that every generation finds a place for both leisure and active pursuits.

The children’s playground consists of a multifunctional wooden installation, shock absorbing rubber clad relief for climbing and games, a secret tree house, sports area and mountaineering wall. All of this has been functionally and almost imperceptibly integrated into the residential complex, creating a contemporary, comfortable and inspiring environment.

Honouring the wooden architecture and site identity of Agenskalns, the facade is finished in wood but the planes of roof slopes continue the silhouette of historical buildings in area. The dwelling consists of two volumes, each complementing the other while also dividing the preferable amount of space thus blending in the surrounding scale. Contemporary toned down and self-sufficient architecture in a historical and nostalgically romantic neighbourhood of Riga that resembles the province.

I am PELEKAIS. The Grey. I am grey as a baby mouse. I am grey as a bird, as a speck of dust, as ashes. I am the Speck of Dust.
Only because of me can other colours light up.
I am almost the most important colour.
Everything turns beautiful only when I am placed beside.

(The Grey, a tale by Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis)

We believe that a space is there for a person to inhabit and colour it with their personality. An environment can nurture a person and a person can nurture an environment.

Pavilosta, the location of the planned hotel, is a town on the west coast of Latvia. We’re keen to see it develop, yet retain its historical charm. Therefore we decided to give life to one of its abandoned courtyards, enhancing it literally and abstractly, in terms of both functionally and ambience.

The abovementioned poem by Imants Ziedonis would serve as an invitation into the courtyard. It would be engraved on a metal plaque to hint at the adventure that awaits those who enter.

A family home on the coast of the Baltic Sea for escaping from the city. The main volume is both visually and functionally divided into three blocks. We drew inspiration from the silhouettes of old fishermens’ dwellings. The wooden facade, cool grey and pale sand tones help the home blend into the landscape. The light, unconstrained aesthetic provides space for peace and reprieve.