AKETURI ARCHITEKTAI’S HOUSE IN TRAKAI IS A CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY RETREAT

An unpretentious home that provides the perfect structure for connecting with nature

Lithuanian architecture firm Aketuri Architektai is out to prove to their compatriots that the days of “roughing it” in the countryside are long gone. The House in Trakai is a bright, modern country home that adopts all the comforts of a year-round residence.

Located just west of Vilnius near the idyllic wooded village of Trakai, the home is seemingly an archetype with its peaked roof and four walls, but one wall breaks the mold. The patio-facing wall lightly recedes beneath the roof, creating a shady overhang for the patio. The roof and sides are clad in a uniform grey with slate shingles from top to bottom. A light Thermowood patio surrounds ground floor and contrasts with the somber shale. Both materials were chosen for their durability and low maintenance requirements.

The interior is bright and open with a double-height living and dining area that connects directly with the outside patio. This central living space is bordered by two walls of floor-to-ceiling glass that blur the line between interior and exterior, allowing for uninterrupted contemplation of the wooded surroundings. In contrast, the two remaining walls are mostly closed-off to maintain intimacy.

Above all, the architects create a simple framework for connecting with nature: “We tried to have a fresh look at the country-house. Everything that a family might need to relax in the natural surroundings fits into a modest archetypical volume with no sacrifice of comfort.”