Villa N / Audrius Ambrasas Architects
Architects: Audrius Ambrasas Architects
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Design team: Audrius Ambrasas, Rasa Ambrasiene
Project Year: 2005
Construction Year: 2006
Project Area: 460 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of Audrius Ambrasas Architects
This curved-shaped villa is situated in a breathtaking landscape on a slope above the river on the outskirts of Vilnius city. It is definitely the landscape that has mostly impacted the architectural solution. The very first impression suggests that building appears from the ground and vanishes somewhere in the surroundings.
A slight curve of the building shapes both the inner courtyard with a magnificent view of the landscape and semi-blind outer facade that protects from the curiosity of neighbors. There are almost no borders between outside and inside as courtyard fringed with woodland and the river are perfectly observable from the armchair inside.
floor plan
The plan organically matches the building shape as well as needs of inhabitants. The plan resembles a spiral and in the head of it a dining-room with a colossal skylight above the entire center was designed. Along the axis of the spiral others parts of the house were arranged – living room and outer terraces, master bedroom, farther along the axis – kid’s rooms, kitchen, garage and auxiliary premises.
The idea of the naturally nestled house was consciously strengthened by choosing concrete imprinted with wooden planks and copper elements for windows as facades materials. There were also nicely designed concrete roofs above the inner glassed facade that completes sculptural composition of the building.
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I believe there may have been a house a bit like this on Grand Designs once upon a time http://bit.ly/8YsvOK /via @archdaily
Beautiful photography…
Agree with you, and a good building too!
somebody’s been looking at frankie’s later work. i’m happy he still is an inspiration to all.
I agree, it is reminiscent of FLW hemicycle.
looking like crematorium by PLAN01
I am wondering if it is an optical illusion of the photography or if the board-formed concrete walls actually look so much like vertical battens. Seen that all of that work was required to actually create the texture it seems to me that this would have been very inviting as a wooden building. I can only think a different choice of materials would have done more to unite structure and landscape. The building is beautiful, mine is only a question.
Another question is what is the purpose of the stone ovoid in the center of the arc? Is this merely a summer terrace? I would be curious about the logic of its placement.
Terry Glenn Phipps
the photograph’s are beautiful but I’d really like to see this in color to really get a feel for the design.
I really love the fluidity of the plan. How the curve and oval language is carried thru every space.
the living room/dining room spaces seem awkward to me.
where is the kitchen? is that the wierd wedge shape between the living room & master bathroom?
like Terrt Glynn Phipps, i also wonder about the stone patio. I guess that ties into a broader comment that the house lacks landscaping. there needs to be a lot more thought given to the surroundings. the arc of the bedroom wing creates a clear focal point with nothing there. I’m getting the feeling that the reason for the curve shape is not so much creating a view but more orienting your views away from the surrounding houses.
here you are some pictures in color http://www.ambrasas.lt/en/
I'd Live Here: Villa N. http://bit.ly/5mGiK5
I liked it.
I think that is very hard to work with curved forms, and you get it.
amazing
Dziugu matyti gera lietuviska architektura cia.
Very beautiful lines and photography, also reminiscent of John Lautner’s great works! Only thing that puzzles me is the planning, seems a bit confused in my opinion, is the kitchen really that far away from the main dining room?
no, it is integrated in the dining room wall
Very good photos. I liked the nature. The Idea of the house interesting and clear, exept some details:
1) masters bedroom – to much complicated access in this area;
2) why only saloon has views into beautiful landscape? why others rooms looks at street , but not into landscape, forest?
3) the house plan has clear and easy idea, but exterior is too much heavy, overcrowded.
with best regards
to one of the most famous
Lithuanian Architect.
The access to the master bedroom is a bit complex, but it’s a very beautiful building.