Black House On Nevezis River Slope

Winner of architecture and design competition “Tendencijos 2019” as the best HOUSE project of 2019. Read more – HERE

The black house was built on the eastern slope of the Nevėžis River, surrounded by a forest. The area is limited by the solidity of the tree, the slope and the volume of the neighbouring house. The unconventional form of the plot dictates the dynamic and diagonal shape of the building and its functional structure. In keeping with the same logic, the elements of the house are an integral part of the house. It is a pond, a footbridge and greenery. The architecture of the building is clearly focused on harmony with the environment, naturalness and tranquility.

The narrow configuration of the plot formed two main housing units – living and resting. The form begins at the entrance to the garage as a single element, then, in response to the plot, divides into two volumes, creating a private space in the middle of the terrace with exit to the courtyard.

Building is single-floor. The needs of the hosts are simple, so everything is logically arranged in two volumes. But let’s start with the entrance. We enter the territory into a narrow part of the plot.

Here we go through the door in the center or enter the double garage. In both cases, we find ourselves in a hole leading to a straight path to the work area with views of the courtyard space. Turning to the right we appear in space there is a well-equipped kitchen with a saloon and a half bar. There is a separate dining room table behind the kitchen island. They have a seating area with a glass showcase and views of the pond in the courtyard. Long corridor from hole leads into a private hosts lounge. The master bedroom, bathroom and guest room are designed here. Everything is connected by a spacious and bright corridor with showcase windows into the greenery of the plot. The boiler room and separate sanitary unit are strategically integrated at the entrance.

The exterior uses one expressive and legitimising material – black wood paneling. A neat facade with a neat vertical deck creates the image of a solid and closed object. On the other hand, the object opens up to the panorama of the forest, the inner yard and the vegetation. Light wood boards are used to create terraces. Stone boulders are used to create a natural and smooth transition from a civilised environment to a quiet environment.

The interior of the house has traditionally been decorated with light wood floors and white walls. Orienting the building to a forest panorama, this modest interior strategy combines expressive views of nature. The overall atmosphere is natural and harmonious. Moving away from the noisy environment, the object creates a meditative oasis in which you can feel calm and free from the bustle of the city. A black house is a rational composition, a solid facade and a natural focus. Having become the main elements of this architectural formula, these elements create cosiness and program a harmonious way of life.

Area: 225 sq.m

Realization Date: 2018

Location: Kaunas

Architect: Laurynas Avyžius