Riga, Brivibas Street 89

Project Objective:

When developing the design for the apartment building, the aim was to create buildings that would fill in the gaps in the existing development as logically as possible, creating courtyards and volumes in harmony with the neighboring areas. Both competition sites border the apartment building designed by Jānis Alksnis at 10 Miera Street, but, looking from the competition site, unfortunately all that can be seen is a 20-meter-high firewall that occupies almost the entire rear boundary of the site.

Final Outcome:

The area included in the design competition consists of two plots of land with a total area of approximately 1800 m2. At the same time, this was the biggest challenge of this project, but also its biggest advantage. During the development of the concept, the existing situation and the existing boundaries of the land plot are respected. During the development of the concept, the existing situation and the existing boundaries of the land plot are respected. When planning the layout of the floors, priority planning needs became apparent, as well as specific features of the situation that could be exploited. As part of the horizontal cross-section, the shape of the contours was based on property boundaries in combination with known regulations, as well as creating the most pleasant views possible from the interior.

The new volumes are aligned as closely as possible with the existing firewalls, while ensuring daylight in all living spaces. The buildings in the courtyard are stylistically designed as a single volume, almost imperceptibly forming a unified ensemble, which, while respecting the historical plots of land, is divided by a firewall on the middle border. The middle boundary serves as an axis that determines the proportions and composition of the building, while at the same time not conflicting with the building requirements for the area, as the 6.4-meter-wide deviation from this boundary ensures the symmetry of the building, sunlight, and more space for green areas. On the western side of the courtyard building, there was a natural opportunity to arrange larger and more varied apartment types, ensuring daylight for the living spaces from as many sides as possible. Both new buildings, together with the existing structures, form a spacious and open courtyard square, which offers opportunities to create an outdoor space as a public recreation area and a venue for social events. The building complex features sloping roofs, widely used balconies, and terraces on the upper floors.