Residential complex Ciekurkrasti
Residential complex Ciekurkrasti is located in Adazi – a suburb of Riga (capital of Latvia) 20 minutes drive from the city center. It
is made up of three joined blocks facing lake Baltezers to the south and framing a wide courtyard to the north west. The blocks
are positioned so that most residences have a terrace with a direct view of the lake. The residences vary from compact one
bedroom apartments to spacious 4 bedroom lofts, wide open to their environment, extended by vast exterior surfaces.
The plot was severely degraded during the Soviet period. It was revitalized by turning the desolated waterfront into a public
beach and constructing a boating pier for the use of local residents.
The accentuation of natural surroundings was at the forefront of our design process. So we had to be very careful to integrate
the sizable volume into the existing environment. We covered the whole building with black wood thus connecting it with
natural surroundings and giving it a natural but noble look.
Voids and openings to the landscape create terraces and tunnels. Circulation areas outside the building feature sculptural
concrete stairs that rise through openings in the volume and connect the courtyard to the lower laying waterfront.
There are four storeys in total, including a basement with one side buried underground. The structure is built from reinforced
concrete.
Parking and storage areas in the basement are connected to the levels above by lifts that open onto spacious staircases with
large windows allowing natural light to enter the interior. Exposed concrete surfaces on the ceiling and walls are interspersed
with wooden cladding. The floors and stairs are polished concrete.
Each staircase has an entrance from the courtyard. The main entrance lobby is connected to the communal areas. There is a
gym, a spa with a pool, a restaurant facing the lake and a roof terrace to encourage socialization of the residents.
In 2008 housing complex Ciekurkrasti project was commended at the Mipim Architectural Review Fututre projects awards in
residential category.
