Private house in Cesis | OUTOFBOX

Hills and dales do not form your typical Latvian landscape, which is why this holiday house in Cēsis was created with maximum respect for the unique relief of the ancient Gauja river valley. This variation in levels made it possible to position the building on the steep river bank so that it invariably looks different, regardless of your point of view. Secluded out of respect for the client’s desire for privacy, the roadside façade is only visible up to a height of one and a half floors. In contrast, one can decipher each and every function of the building through the expansive glazing of the three-floor southern façade.

The lowest level, which is invisible from the roadside, conceals leisure and sauna premises, which are adjoined by a wine cellar and a specious terrace with a swimming pool. One floor above - at level of the entrance of the building - is a large living room with a kitchen, fireplace and two guest bedrooms. Spanning 12 metres, the glazing facing the coppice can be opened, fully removing the partition between the indoor premises and nature.

The two floor high living room is encompassed by a concrete bridge from which one can access the private quarters of the house’s owner, i.e. his office or spacious bedroom, whose terrace offers a stunning view over the tree tops of the ancient Gauja river valley and the rays of the setting sun.

Despite the large plates of glass, we managed to implement low-energy principles in the building, thanks to its compact size, virtually secluded northern façade, and minimal exterior surface for reducing heat loss. In turn, the extensive glazing on the southern and western sides is designed to capture the sun. An additional contribution to the reduction of the building’s energy consumption is made by the solar thermal collectors on the roof.

The first two floors of the building have been made into massive reinforced concrete constructions. The thermal insulation positioned between two plates ensures the exposure of the concrete surfaces both indoors and outdoors. The third floor has been designed to be different - metal-framed openwork spanned by extensive glazing, ensuring a 270 degree panorama.

The interior maintains the building’s ascetic image - here rough concrete plates and extensive glazing are dominant. A feeling of cosiness is generated by the natural oak surfaces and carefully designed elements such as the fireplace slab and the ornamental metal stairs. The combination of inbuilt lighting fixtures, concealed within and hanging from the surfaces, offers countless lighting scenarios, which can even be easily controlled by smartphone, thanks to the application of smart house principles.