5° House

Location is just 15 km from the city center, but atmosphere reminds national poem: "Plains, plains, expanses, expanses – they are called life." It is an open peaceful space far from the hustle. Program is divided into two volumetric elements: A is dedicated as rather typical single family use, while B has more specific purpose opening up broader lifestyle context: domestic equipment garage, food storage, owner's creative workshop, and quiet relaxation area with terrace and fireplace offering a view of the fields and forest half a kilometer away – perfect for bird watching.

Project’s main idea is based on respect for former farmstead life: reconstruction didn’t aim to start "from scratch" but rather to maintain a connection with the past of the place: preserve memory, architectural tradition of existing buildings—retain their location contours, rhythm of roof angles, and overall old spatial structure. Former farmstead consisted of five freely arranged buildings, forming unsystematic ensemble. During reconstruction they were combined into single continuous volume, which, in turn, was divided according to the contours of former buildings and their roofs’ shapes. Two different functional parts are rotated not by a right angle, but +5° more – as a reminder of the former composition. The vertical dynamics of the "hilly" roofs emphasize modern character of the new stage not as a artistic whim, but on the contrary, as a deliberate attempt to preserve traces of tradition emphasized by means of contemporary architectural language and construction technologies.

Load-bearing elements of new volumes are constructed from ecological heat-saving blocks. Condition of existing structures was carefully assessed and suitable parts were integrated into interior design. Wood from old roofs was used for terrace flooring, thus extending life cycle of the materials. Dark color of facade and roof tin cladding was chosen deliberately – it echoes appearance of former buildings and recalls dark shades of traditional Lithuanian farmsteads formed by effects of time and natural factors. Division of facade planes gives volumes a smaller scale, close to local architectural tradition and helps avoid monotony. Protrusions finished with perforated sheet metal conceal renewable energy equipment and external heating system units keeping technical elements out of sight and not distorting architectural expression. All solutions are based on rational, economical approach, and building with A++ energy rating requires minimal maintenance and ensures sustainable operation.