Behold - The design of an experiential lodge.

01 - What was the concept behind the project?

A space for people to reconnect with nature and themselves in a building that reconnects with history and culture.

02 - What inspired the project?

Inspired by the vernacular of the region, rolling landscapes and local artists, the lodge design captures elements from the above mentioned and celebrates them in the best way possible.

From the street edge, the low ground voluminous roof reads as an element that takes on the form of a traditional shed that grows from the earth from natural materials which is punctuated by contemporary gables ends.

As the building grows from the ground it opens up creating a court yard feeling that is closed by the surrounding landscape. The large openings of the private rooms embrace the view and the beauty that is on offer.

03 – How were the materials chosen?

There were three main priorities of concern, a historical approach to construction methodology, ecological impact and maintenance.

The focus was on 17th and 18th century construction which predominantly used timber structures with thatch roofs. This construction methodology is not commonly used in Latvia now and so deciding to embrace this construction is important in order to preserve what was.

There were many advantages to building out of such natural materials, the materials are widely available and easily replenishable. They offer a low ecological impact and high sustainability qualities. The timber and thatch have high insulation values which aid in the retention of heat in winter and creating cooling spaces in summer. Repair and maintenance can be done on site by local workers where materials would be readily available.

04 – How was the programme decided?

The main factors that dictated the programme was the height restriction of six meters and room / bed requirements. The buildings horizontal axis was important as it gave the much-needed space for additional beds which allowed for a comfortable head space. The shed roof form is traditionally quite wide with a low eves which creates a deceptive scale. One would be able to read the building from the street as a normal ‘A’ frame roof  while in fact sharing more characteristics with a mansard roof.

It was decided that two wings would be created for the private rooms that created a clear separation between public and private spaces.

The entrance opens up to a lobby with clear sight of the reception and lounge on the one side of the axis and the restaurant on the other. The public spaces were kept in the core of the building with a clear direct sight of the outdoor space.

The ‘L’ shape of the building allowed for the private rooms to capitalize on the views and for the public spaces to be central to the design acting as the heart of the space.