This house replaces an aging structure while honoring the architectural language of its coastal setting in Pāvilosta, Latvia. Inspired by local building traditions and strict planning regulations, the new home retains the familiar triangular form, timber cladding, narrow street-facing windows, and a classic wood shingle roof.
The façade is clad in Siberian larch, a material chosen for its durability and ability to weather naturally over time. As it ages, the timber will take on a soft grey tone that echoes the choppy Baltic Sea and the muted northern skies—a color palette that has become emblematic of contemporary Pāvilosta.
Designed with the region’s climate in mind, the house is filled with natural light. Tall west-facing windows and skylights above the kitchen and living areas capture daylight throughout the day, creating warm and inviting interiors despite the coastal weather conditions.
Interior details subtly reference local culture. The living room lighting, for instance, is inspired by traditional clotheslines, adding a playful yet meaningful layer to the design. The house is a custom prefabricated structure, with its timber frame built off-site to minimize disruption during construction and preserve the existing garden and orchard.
The landscape design carefully integrates new perennials and grasses with the original apple trees. A patio acts as both a connector and a threshold between house and garden, while a pergola divides the outdoor space into two distinct zones. At the rear, a discreet storage shed with an integrated firewood nook completes the composition.
Sustainability and year-round comfort are key priorities. Underfloor heating and natural, foam-free insulation ensure the home remains comfortable in all seasons. Unified by a single design language, the architecture, landscape, and auxiliary structures come together as a cohesive whole—rooted in place, climate, and tradition.
What once stood here had reached the end of its life, but instead of erasing it, the new house
was shaped by its memory. The original building on this site had exceeded its functional lifespan,
yet it became the conceptual starting point for the new home. Guided by local building traditions,
the project preserves the familiar triangular form, timber cladding, narrow front windows,
and a wood shingle roof. This approach allows the house to blend naturally into the coastal
town of Pavolosta, where strict building regulations shape the architectural language.
The facade is clad in Siberian larch, a material selected for its durability and its ability to
age naturally. Over time, the timber will weather into a soft gray tone, echoing the color of the
Baltic Sea and the northern sky on overcast days. Gray has become the defining color of
reinforcing a quiet, cohesive visual identity throughout the town.
Responding to the local climate, the house is designed to maximize natural daylight. Tall,
west-facing windows bring light deep into the interior, while skylights above the kitchen
and living areas further enhance brightness and spatial openness. The result is a home that feels
warm and luminous even during long, darker seasons. Inside, subtle playful elements
reference everyday local life. The living room lighting, for example, is inspired by
traditional clotheslines, translating familiar outdoor imagery into interior design. These
details add personality while remaining understated and contextually grounded.
The house was built as a custom prefabricated structure. By assembling the timber frame
off-site, construction time was reduced and disruption to the site was minimized.
This approach made it possible to preserve the existing garden and orchard,
maintaining continuity between past and present. The garden combines mature apple trees with newly
planted perennials and grasses, creating a layered and natural landscape. A patio acts as both a
connector and a threshold between the house and the garden. A pergola divides this outdoor space
into two distinct zones, offering flexibility and shade. At the back of the garden, a storage
shed with an integrated firewood nook completes the ensemble. Each element follows the same design
language, forming a cohesive whole. Designed for year-round living, the house is equipped with
underfloor heating and natural, foam-free insulation solutions. Material choices reflect
durability and craftsmanship. Facade cladding, Siberian larch timber frame, ZTC flooring,
Cocos Center's windows, Viking window. This home is a contemporary interpretation of local
tradition. Built with restraint, respect for place, and a clear architectural logic,
it demonstrates how new architecture can grow naturally from what came before.
