Individualus namas, Biržai
© Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

Urban villa in the woods

architectum edition #40

Individualus namas, Biržai
© Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

Private house, Biržai

in Lithuania

Individualus namas, Biržai
© Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

Products used

Virtua WS LF400, Vauban Brown, Nostalgie UWF60

Urban villa in the woods

Embedded in a neighbourhood of rich cultural and historical significance, a new residential ensemble of two buildings forms a harmonious duet of functionality and beauty.

The creation of a landmark

It was a private project in one of the most picturesque locations in the northern Lithuanian city of Biržai. A residential and an auxiliary building were being developed in the city’s Regional Park, right next to three prominent landmarks: a neogothic church, the historic castle of Biržai, and Lake Širvėna.
 
The building itself has a clean and symmetrical appearance, enhanced by the consistent pattern of the façade. This creates a visually appealing contrast to the organic forms of the landscape with its old trees and winding park paths. The project’s unique location enhances its aesthetic appeal and encourages interaction between residents and visitors alike.

Following the symmetry

The Vilnius-based architects GAL architektai worked with the natural and architectural context to recreate traditional motifs. They were influenced by the local landscape and the building traditions of the region: strict symmetry and harmonious proportions, decorative details, a uniform window layout, and an earthy selection of colours. The street view is shaped by the façade of the auxiliary building, creating a central “archway” entrance to the main building towards an inner courtyard which is separated from public view. The main house opens to views of the garden and walking paths, creating an atmosphere of introspective silence and tranquillity. Inspired by the decorative elements of the nearby monuments, the cornice masonry adds a touch of historical charm. The building draws its elegance from the use of high-quality, enduring materials: metal accents, natural stone, oak flooring and handcrafted clay tiles contribute to a timeless interior design that reflects the historic exterior appearance.

Nostalgic yet modern

The two buildings, like the townscape, are characterised by brickwork. For the pavers, roof tiles and the façade the architects carefully selected products, that create a nostalgic, yet modern look. The brown­coloured Vauban roof tile comes in a flat and even shape, creating a clean appearance. The façade features a simple pattern made by the slim Virtua façade brick. This brick is designed in a pure water-struck style with strong colours and fresh white spots, characterised by rough edges, slight deformations and the sintering of the coals. 
 
This look continues in the paving: Nostalgie UWF60 is a water-struck tumbled paving brick proven by the DUBO quality mark to be one of the most environmentally friendly choices. The colour scheme – a harmonious palette of greys and browns – reflects the traditional tones of the region and gives the surroundings additional elegance. 

Individualus namas, Biržai
© Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

Facts & Figures

Project name: Private house, Biržai, Lithuania

Architecture  GAL architektai

Client  Private

Year of completion   2023

Products used  Façade: Virtua WS LF400, Roof: Vauban Brown, Pavers: Nostalgie UWF60

Building type  Single Family House

Edition  architectum #40

Individualus namas, Biržai
© Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

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