Augustine's Garden

Located in a dense early-20th-century courtyard in Riga, Augustine’s Garden converts former industrial buildings into apartments and duplex studios arranged around a shared green garden. The project preserves traces of past reconstructions while adding a new, subtle architectural layer that respects the existing fabric. Exposed brick, concrete, and reclaimed materials highlight the site’s history, while ground-floor terraces and open windowscapes strengthen the sense of community and connection to the surrounding urban context.

The main challenge of this project was to transform former manufacturing buildings into energy-efficient dwellings suitable for Riga’s cold Northern climate. Sensitive insulation strategies were combined with minimal structural intervention to preserve the existing fabric while meeting performance standards. Another challenge was the social one: fostering community in a context where shared spaces are often met with skepticism. Through architectural design, a balance between privacy and openness was achieved—introducing low window sills, semi-private terraces, and a shared green courtyard that naturally encourages interaction. Finally, located in Riga’s historic centre, the project confronted resistance from heritage institutions due to its contemporary aesthetic that reveals adaptation rather than concealment. By embracing the visible layering of materials, we aimed to redefine architectural beauty in heritage contexts and advocate for adaptive reuse as a progressive practice.

The project embodies a sustainable design ethos rooted in respect for the existing built fabric. Most of the industrial structures were preserved, cleaned, and repaired, transforming their material history into an expressive architectural language. The need for new materials was kept to a minimum, drastically reducing the project’s carbon footprint. All interior plans were newly designed to adapt spaces to contemporary living standards and energy efficiency requirements, while subtle façade interventions—such as enlarged openings—enhance natural light and open the interiors toward the communal garden. On-site rainwater management is integrated through sculptural tanks that collect and release water gradually, also serving for plant irrigation. The robust masonry structure ensures longevity with minimal maintenance, and the adaptive reuse aesthetic allows for future transformations without loss of integrity, celebrating sustainability as both a technical and cultural practice.