2018 (Competition Proposal)
Hotel
R.evolution
Republikas laukums, The Code
Olga Ponomarjova
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The winning concept for a 5* hotel in central Riga. Our proposal is based on each building being part of an overall story on Latvian legends who have played a key part in the development of arts, science, architecture and design in Riga, Latvia and the world. Each volume represents one of the characters.
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2022
Alvis Rozenbergs
Office
HARMONY
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Hi-tech but cosy and comfortable say the clients about their new Riga office. TheIntelligent VC uses AI technology to translate behavioural patterns into actionable data for personalising products and services. OAD approached the office design with a similar level of personalisation, embracing the characteristics of the fresh, previously uninhabited space in one of Riga’s sleek Zunda Towers, which benefits from enviable views of the cityscape.
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TheIntelligent VC’s workplace instils the brand’s values, supports the team and clients. Elements of design inspiration included mysticism and Chinese tea house interiors as these reflect the client’s passions.
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The activity-based floor plan allocates rooms for deep work, group gatherings, phone calls and moments of rest. We distinguished the various zones by using different finishes and materials, which set the tone, help the user transition between the spaces and adopt the relevant mindset. The furniture is a combination of ready-made designer pieces and bespoke solutions, such as a moveable amphitheatre on wheels for team meetings and talks. We designed the furniture and oversaw its production in partnership with Latvia’s talented craftsmen.
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As long-term clients of OAD, the team appreciates architect Zane Tetere-Sulce for her ability to “see into the future”, creating timeless designs rooted in personalisation. They believe and hear from clients that their Riga office is among the most beautiful in the city.
2015
Krista Cakane
Office
Blaumana
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Located in a historic building on Blaumaņa Street, this office space is a respectful tribute to architectural heritage, where the entire original structure has been thoughtfully preserved.
The building, originally designed by Latvian architect Laube, retains its authentic wood carvings and ornamental detailing. These elements have been carefully integrated into a contemporary interior, creating a unique blend of historic charm and modern functionality.
The design aesthetic combines clean lines and minimalist sensibility with materials that respect the past - such as concrete tiles, original detailing, and mid-century modern furniture. This project is a testament to how preservation and progress can co-exist, offering a workspace that is both inspiring and grounded in its cultural context.
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2009
Maris Lagzdins
Linda Zala
Private Residence
Oposums
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Inspired by Japanese tsubo gardens, the inner garden of this home became the compositional centre around which we constructed the building. Japanese garden culture served as overall inspiration. The space around the garden was intended to be transparent, thereby fusing, while at the same time separating the indoors and outdoors. As the project was being implemented, the client decided against the inner garden, so we transformed it into an indoor seating area.
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The placement of the building on the plot was guided by the location of the streets and corners, and the movement of the sun. Thanks to our planning, the south side of the second floor receives direct sunlight. Therefore, the second floor bedroom has a spacious terrace with ample plants.
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Clad in blackened timber, the boards fit together to create a smooth finish. The main emphasis is placed on form rather than texture. By using metal, we chose to highlight the entrance.
A complete impression of the building is best gained from the footbridge which extends into the garden from the home, connecting it to an outdoor fireplace. The exterior, landscaping and interior come together to create one whole.
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2015 (Concept)
Wind Tunnel
Kristaps Sulcs
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2019
Alvis Rozenbergs
Private Residence
Kalna iela
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This house in Pavilosta on the west coast of Latvia is in a location with strict building regulations. When the owners bought the property we concluded that the original structure could no longer be saved. Instead, it served as inspiration for the new home. Guided by the principles of local building traditions, the house maintains a typical triangular shape, timber cladding, narrow front windows and a wood shingle roof. The timber cladding is Siberian larch which will take on a light grey hue to match the choppy Baltic sea and northern skies on a cloudy day. Grey has become the colour of the modern day town of Pāvilosta.
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No matter the weather, the home is flooded with natural light through the tall, west-facing windows at the back of the house and skylights over the kitchen and living room area. Inside, playful features are also inspired by local ways. The living room lighting, for example, is designed to resemble clothes lines.
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The home was built off-site as a custom prefab which made for smooth delivery and little disturbance to residents. This respectful approach allowed protecting the old garden with its orchard. Now, perennials and grasses have been added to complement the apple trees. Between the indoor area and the garden is a terrace split into two zones with the addition of a pergola. Tucked in the back of the garden is a storage shed with an inbuilt nook for firewood.Underfloor heating and natural, foam-free insulation solutions were a worthwhile investment to ensure this house in Pavilosta is liveable year-round.
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2023
Alvis Rozenbergs
Apartment
Kado
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In the KADO Karim apartment building, renowned for its fluid lines and curved architecture, our interior design is a harmonious extension of this unique structural language. Embracing round corners and flowing lines, the space reflects the building’s exterior narrative.
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The continuity theme is echoed in the furniture’s curved forms, complemented by graphic black accents for a balanced and intriguing look.
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The interior adopts a light, monochromatic palette inspired by ‘coffee with milk’, enhanced with a mix of textures from matte to glossy finishes. High-gloss ceilings add visual height and contrast, enriching the overall design.
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This layout thoughtfully integrates different functional areas, from the living room to the office and kitchen, ensuring seamless transitions.
2016
Ansis Starks
Apartment
Riekstins
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Small spaces require custom solutions. At this apartment in London the small space inspired the architect to design a number of one-of-a-kind furniture units.
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A bed effortlessly folds away and blends with the wall, transforming the bedroom into a workspace and vice versa, while a custom-made dressing table adds an air of modern elegance while serving a functional purpose.
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In this multifunctional cosmopolitan residence the taste and know-how of the architect is evident not only in the choice of high quality materials and sophisticated aesthetics, but also in the smallest details, such as the choice of paintings and home accessories.
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2021
Sergey Krasyuk
Apartment
Sofiskii, MSOF
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The apartment honours location through and through. The city and its contrasts are at the very heart of the design concept. The gilded domes of the intricate Orthodox cathedrals mingle with anonymous industrial structures and standard-type residential blocks. Apartment’s contrasts are woven throughout the materiality, colour scheme and bespoke details.
The floor plan is arranged for all rooms to benefit from natural light and enjoy views of the cityscape.
Mirrors and reflective surfaces visually extend the space. An open-plan living room and kitchen are at the centre of the apartment with the master bedroom, its bathroom and walk-in wardrobe at one end, and a guest bedroom with bathroom at the other.
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Most solutions and details are entirely bespoke, and the parquet floor is one of the most symbolic features. Inspired by the weathered and experienced floors of the Hermitage and similar grand structures of older times, each single board is handmade and has its own character. The custom designed kitchen features three types of metal: copper, brass, and stainless steel. The kitchen unit can be closed or open with most preparation done on the kitchen island. The bar stools are also a bespoke OAD creation, made in Riga.
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In the living area, the fireplace and deliberately uncovered sound system conjure a lightly industrial mood to contrast with the surrounding softness. Throughout the apartment, brass skirting creates the feeling of levitation. Touches of the indigo blue colour hint at Eastern Europe's historical aristocracy. Paldao wood introduces the textures and comforting warmth of nature.
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The owners wished for the bathrooms to be considered equal to other rooms, not to place the visual focus on their function. The plumbing is integrated into the space. Decorative plaster and epoxy allowed creating bespoke shower rooms.
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Location:
Riga, Latvia
Year and status:
2024
Team:
Zane Tetere-Sulce
Kristaps Sulcs
Roberts Abolins
Beatrise Dzerve
Kaspars Broks
Eva Heidingere-Jukama
Girts Kula
Developer:
3D:
Landscape:
In collaboration with Galantus
Photo:
Alvis Rozenbergs
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The owners envisioned a home that is both discreet and bold, seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings while making a strong architectural statement. Nestled within a historic manor park, the landscape plays an integral role in the project - an element OAD saw as inseparable from the overall vision.
In collaboration with Galantus, the landscape was meticulously designed to complement and enhance the architecture. From the street, the house remains nearly invisible, tucked behind a grassy embankment, while on the canal side, expansive windows and a rustic facade create a striking contrast. The design gradually reveals itself, beginning with a wild meadow garden where narrow, trimmed paths echo the organic flow of the architecture.
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As the building extends deeper into the property, its form evolves - what starts as a grounded volume rises into a more geometric composition, with the master bedroom appearing to float above the terrain in a futuristic, hovering design.
The architecture masterfully balances contrasting materials - concrete, corten steel, glass, and wood - to create a structure that is both sustainable and timeless. Large glass panels reflect the surrounding landscape, while clean, modern lines establish a sense of order and clarity.
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Ventilation windows are seamlessly concealed behind perforated trim panels, integrating function into form. The house is oriented south and designed without extended eaves, yet the holistic approach prevents overheating in summer.
The layout ensures that the master bedroom is bathed in morning light, while the spacious west-facing terrace offers sunset views, shaded by a deep overhang that prevents excessive heat penetration. Skylights allow low winter sun to enter, optimizing natural warmth and illumination. Traditional window placement is reimagined, with unconventional openings becoming architectural focal points - treetops visually extend into corridors, and a low-set window frames water reflections, creating a calming, dynamic experience.
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The interior continues this harmony with nature while maintaining a sense of restraint and privacy. The elevated master bedroom provides sweeping views, while natural materials echo the surrounding landscape.
The home's two levels clearly define a functional hierarchy: the living areas sit lower, while the master suite is elevated with a lower ceiling height to enhance energy efficiency.
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The minimalist approach extends to the finishes - predominantly wooden paneling, with exposed concrete surfaces left visible where they serve as structural elements.
Every detail directs focus toward the landscape, with transparency reinforcing the connection to nature and curated art pieces adding personal significance. Strategically placed openings enhance the interplay of light throughout the day, while the refined material palette ensures a serene, timeless atmosphere.
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The interior embraces minimalist detailing, where privacy and human-centered design take precedence. This philosophy is also reflected in the hidden Japanese garden and the carefully positioned low window, drawing attention to the seamless symbiosis of architecture and natural elements.
This house stands as a bold dialogue between modernism and nature, where thoughtful design and craftsmanship create a lasting connection between architecture, landscape, and the lives within.
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