House of the Flying Trees Strēlnieku iela, Riga apartment complex, Latvian property photos
House of the Flying Trees
3 August 2021
House of the Flying Trees (HOFT)
Architects: Open AD architecture bureau
Location: Strēlnieku iela 5, Riga, Latvia
Photos by Klavs Loris
House of the Flying Trees Riga
CONCEPT
HOFT combines a respect for Riga’s built heritage with an appreciation for contemporary architecture, and a wish to bring more nature back to the city. The seven-storey apartment complex in the historical centre of Riga comprises a 20th century Art Nouveau building with a brand new volume.
Every apartment has its own balcony of no less than 1.80 m in width, most of them overlook the shared courtyard where residents are invited to spend time together. Attached to the facade are planter boxes with bonsai trees, which give the complex its name.
The trees are both a contemporary interpretation of Art Nouveau’s nature-inspired themes, and a smart way to add greenery to the city. They provide not just a sense of identity, but also calm.
HOFT illustrates that city centres can still be very liveable in the 21st century and that living in an urban apartment can be combined with having access to the outdoors and community.
DETAILS
HOFT comprises 42 apartments varying in size from 76 m2 to 232 m2.
The facade of the new volume is clad in travertine. Planter boxes and balcony partitions are made of glass.
The original, street-facing facade building has been restored to its former glory, including the authentic door. Two levels have been added, finished in glass, which lift the building to the same height as its neighbours.
Public interiors – the lobbies, stairs and common rooms – are an homage to and interpretation of Art Nouveau. Where possible, original features have been preserved.
As per Open AD’s philosophy, the building is full of individually crafted details and furniture. Even elements like the brass door plaques are special orders. Artworks are original pieces by local artist Klavs Loris.
House of the Flying Trees – Building Information
Client, developer: R.Evolution City
Creative architecture: Open AD – Zane Tetere-Sulce, Kristaps Sulcs, Dins Vecans, Undine Linde, Zane Legzdina
Technical architecture and management: KROKS – Dita Lapina, Edmunds Slavinskis, Ilze Rudzate, Ritvars Krastins
Site area: 1212 m2
Address: Strēlnieku iela 5, Riga
Status: complete
Construction: Velve
Construction supervisor: P.M.G.
Tree installation: Labie Koki
Engineering: Inženieru birojs Būve un forma
OPEN AD
architecture bureau
www.openad.lv
instagram.com/openad.architects
Photographer: Klavs Loris
House of the Flying Trees images / information received 030821 from
Location: Strēlnieku iela 5, Riga, Latvia, Baltic region, Eastern Europe
New Latvian Architecture
Contemporary Latvian Architectural Selection
Riga Architecture Designs – chronological list
Kimmel Quarter, Riga
Design: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
image from architecture office
Kimmel Quarter Buildings
Thermal Bath, Liepāja
Design: Steven Christensen Architecture
image from architect
Thermal Bath in Liepāja
The Dune House, Pape
Architects: ARCHISPEKTRAS
photograph : Juozas Kamenskas
The Dune House
Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art Design Competition Winner, Riga
Design: Adjaye Associates + AB3D
image © MRC/Adjaye Associates (UK) and AB3D
Museum of Contemporary Art in Latvia
Pavilion of Nature Concert Hall 2017
Design: Didzis Jaunzems Arhitektūra
photography : Maris Lapins, Eriks Bozis, Marika Latsone
Pavilion of Nature Concert Hall
Comments / photos for the House of the Flying Trees Riga apartments design by Open AD architecture bureau page welcome