Living House In Kleboniskis Forest
Residential House in Margavos Street, Kaunas
Location: Margavos Street, Kaunas
Architect: Laurynas Avyžius
Area: 270 m²
Realization Date: 2018
Site Context and Concept
Located on a corner plot in an irregularly shaped area of Kaunas city, this residential house is carefully positioned to maximize the usable yard space. By orienting the building to the corner of the site, the design opens up a generous courtyard. Importantly, the project preserved several mature pine trees, whose vertical forms and natural textures directly influenced the house’s architecture. Minimal landscape interventions further emphasize the existing terrain and trees.
Architectural Volume and Layout
The building’s footprint adapts to the multi-angled boundaries of the plot. Its placement follows the site’s geometry, resulting in a composition that feels responsive and natural. A street-facing façade directs attention to the entrance, reinforcing the urban context.
The house features a centralized plan. Upon entry, visitors arrive in a hallway flanked by a closet.
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Turning right leads to a two-car garage, a storage room, and a boiler room.
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Turning left opens into the shared living zone, starting with a narrow kitchen that includes an island and pantry. From there, space expands into the dining area and living room, where the main visual element is a modern fireplace—not a television. Large windows frame panoramic views of the courtyard, and a ground-floor sanitary unit is accessible from the living space.
A U-shaped staircase leads to the upper floor, which houses the private rooms:
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A master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
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Two children’s bedrooms.
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A closet and laundry area nearby for convenience.
Façade and Material Expression
The façade features a dynamic contrast of vertical and horizontal elements. Vertical fins reference the pine trunks and provide rhythm, while a network of orthogonal concrete lines frames the building, offering visual structure and clarity. Balconies are screened with vertical blinds, and the modest size of the windows creates a private, understated character.
The material palette is natural and minimal, chosen to blend with the surroundings. Wooden elements and exposed concrete dominate the exterior. Notably, the garage volume is clad entirely in concrete panels, reinforcing its functional identity.
Summary
This residential project integrates architecture, landscape, and natural context into a cohesive whole. Its restrained use of materials, efficient spatial organization, and thoughtful orientation toward the yard form the foundation of its architectural identity. The result is a quietly modern home that reflects both sensitivity to nature and urban precision.
