Residential Building in Kaunas | Architectural Bureau G. Natkevicius & Partners

This project was implemented in a unique historical setting – the former military barracks of Žemieji Šančiai in Kaunas, built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century by Tsarist Russia. The distinctive character of this heritage – with its strict red brick masonry, rhythmic structure, and established scale – became the primary influence for the architectural concept. Rather than mimicking or stylizing the old architecture, the architects aimed to create a contemporary, autonomous architectural statement that enters into a conceptual dialogue with the historical context. The approach is based on contrast and metaphorical association, not pastiche, seeking to interpret rather than replicate. The new complex had to ground and organize a previously chaotic part of the site, while also establishing a clear urban presence and architectural identity.

From an urban perspective, the site layout and the sensitivity of the surrounding environment led to the choice of two autonomous, yet visually and functionally interconnected volumes. Two compact, five-story buildings with nearly square floorplans are mirrored in layout and positioned atop a shared underground parking structure. This division of volume not only helps adapt the scale of the development to its surroundings but also creates a central courtyard, echoing the perimeter-block logic of the historical barracks. The strict geometry and rhythmic facade articulation emphasize rationality – a trait found in the historic environment – yet executed with entirely contemporary means.

Functionally, the building layout is clear and efficient. The underground level is dedicated to parking (84 spaces), storage rooms, and technical facilities. The ground floor accommodates representative lobbies, flexible office spaces, and a few apartments. The upper floors (2–5) are exclusively residential, comprising 77 apartments of various sizes, all with private balconies. The corridor-type plan, organized around a central communication core (stairs and two elevators per volume), ensures rational circulation and accessibility throughout the complex.

The building’s architectural expression is most clearly conveyed through its facades, where the dialogue with history becomes tangible. The main exterior surface is a modern, high-performance façade system of aluminum profiles and glass panels – a light, transparent, technologically advanced “skin” that intentionally contrasts with the massive, rough texture of the old red brick. This contrast is further enhanced by vertical Corten steel pilasters – a key design element often interpreted as a “veil” or “curtain” draped over the glass surface, creating a powerful link between the new and the old.

Corten steel, chosen for its natural oxidizing properties, speaks to the passage of time through its evolving patina. Its warm, earthy color and rough texture resonate abstractly with the warmth and materiality of the historic brickwork, while maintaining a distinctly industrial and contemporary character. The vertical rhythm of the pilasters echoes the order and monumentality typical of military architecture, lending the new building a sense of solidity and structure. Functionally, the “veil” also shields the balconies, enhancing residents' privacy without obstructing views, and forming more intimate living spaces.

The entire architectural language is built on the deliberate juxtaposition of smooth, cold, reflective glass and the warm, coarse, evolving surface of Corten steel. This contrast becomes the main tool for engaging with history – not through imitation or nostalgia, but through the tension and dialogue between two different architectural eras. It’s a respectful yet independent contemporary response to context.

Sustainability was an integral aspect of the design. The building meets the A++ energy efficiency standard, achieved through high-quality materials, effective building systems, and an advanced facade solution. This reflects a responsible approach to the environment and ensures long-term building value.

The residential complex at A. Juozapavičiaus Ave. 11 stands as a powerful example of contemporary authorial architecture that successfully integrates into a historically valuable environment. With its clear volumetric composition, rational functionality, and especially its conceptual facade design – where the Corten steel “veil” enters into a nuanced dialogue with the heritage of the Šančiai barracks – the project creates a distinctive, memorable, and high-quality architectural ensemble. This is architecture unafraid to be of its time, while simultaneously interpreting the spirit of place with sensitivity and intellectual depth.