arches cantilevers wooden house in lithuanian valley

lithuanian practice arches has recently completed the valley villa on the sunny side of a valley near the small lithuanian town of raguva.

lithuanian practice arches has recently completed the valley villa on the sunny side of a valley near the small lithuanian town of raguva. set in a highly regulated natural area almost completely secluded from the urban center, the project finds an architectural expression to meet the clients modern tastes while adhering to stringent zoning regulations. the structure’s stacked L-shaped floor plan serves various functions both in plan and in section, taking advantage of the unique shape to control light, views, and external aesthetic.

the bottom level is buried partially into the hillside, clad in a dark slate that almost disappears under the home’s shadow. a living room, bedroom, and office enjoy glass walls that open up onto the valley. a small perimeter stone walkway expands into wooden decks that reach out onto the site and create opportunities to connect with the surroundings. an indoor and outdoor stairway connects to the upstairs level which sites partially on a higher grade and features a drastic cantilever over the valley. the primary bedrooms and master suite occupy one wing of the second story which is inverted to the orientation of the level below. tucked back into the dense vegetation, these spaces enjoy the most privacy. the primary living area and kitchen project out over the landscape on the other wing of the home. full-height glass walls surrounding the entire space immerses the interior in the green environment. natural timber planks make up the facades of this volume, which seems to float above the darker structure below.

the stacked forms natural create overhangs and pockets which provide shading and control the passage of natural light. outdoor patios both enjoy the cover of the cantilevered areas but are also created