Contemporary Residence in Vilnius
LOCATION
Vilnius, Lithuania
TYPE
Private Villa
SIZE
216 m2
STAGE
Built
YEAR
2022
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Ignas Vengalis
ARCHITECT
Arūnas Proberkas
PHOTOGRAPHER
Norbert Tukaj
AJ Residence is a single-storey house positioned on a gently sloping plot in Vilnius. The building is organized as a clear U-shaped volume, allowing the architecture to nestle into the landscape while maintaining a low, horizontal profile. Its geometry is deliberate and restrained, defined by precise lines and controlled proportions.
The plan opens toward the inner courtyard and surrounding greenery, balancing openness with privacy. The house is conceived as a continuous sequence of spaces where interior and exterior are closely aligned. Material contrast between light surfaces and darker stone elements reinforces the clarity of the form and its relationship to light, shadow, and terrain.
The architecture of AJ Residence is defined by clear geometry and horizontal continuity. A single-storey volume is shaped into a U-form, allowing the building to embrace the landscape while forming a protected inner courtyard. This configuration establishes a strong relationship between built form and open space, without fragmenting the mass.
The front façade presents a composed and legible expression, where solid planes and recessed openings articulate depth. The building rests naturally on the sloped terrain, avoiding vertical dominance and reinforcing its grounded presence. The geometry is intentionally minimal, relying on proportion and alignment rather than complexity. This disciplined approach ensures that the architectural idea remains readable from all viewpoints, both from within the site and its surroundings.
Arrival follows the natural slope of the site. Subtle changes in level guide movement toward the entrance, allowing the building to reveal itself gradually. The recessed entry is not announced, but discovered, reinforcing a controlled transition between ground, architecture, and interior space.
Materiality is limited to a small, carefully selected palette. White surfaces emphasize the building’s geometry, while black stone elements introduce weight and contrast. Together, they clarify the architectural composition and its relationship to light.
Large roofed terraces extend the interior spaces outward, creating shaded zones that respond to changing daylight. In the evening, artificial light reveals the depth of the façades and the thickness of the roof plane, reinforcing the house’s horizontal character.
At the center of the composition lies the courtyard, formed by the U-shaped plan. This space acts as both spatial and environmental core, bringing daylight deep into the house and structuring internal circulation. Each wing of the building addresses the courtyard, reinforcing visual continuity and a sense of enclosure.
The courtyard mediates between interior rooms and the surrounding landscape. Large, openable glazed façades blur the boundary between inside and outside, allowing daily life to extend naturally into this protected open space. Light, shadow, and vegetation define the atmosphere without the need for additional architectural elements.
Boundaries dissolve through alignment, proportion, and controlled openness.
The plan follows a clear and logical structure. Living spaces are arranged along the courtyard, ensuring consistent daylight and visual connection to the exterior. Private functions are positioned to maintain privacy without isolation. Circulation is direct and legible, reinforcing the calm spatial rhythm of the house.
AJ Residence reflects an architectural approach grounded in restraint and clarity. Through precise geometry, controlled material contrast, and a strong relationship to landscape, the project achieves a calm and enduring presence.
