Magnus Residence (g-47), Lithuania
13 september 2021
Project: Magnus Residence (G-47), Vilnius | Lithuania
Architect: Plazma Architekturos Studija, Vilnius | Lithuania
Fabricator: UAB LR Group, Vilnius | Lithuania
Installer: UAB MEDE, Vilnius | Lithuania
Façade System: Tray panels on bolts
Year of Construction: 2017
Product: ALUCOBOND® PLUS naturAL Zinc
Photos: Evaldas Lasys
SYMMETRY IN SEPIA
If the past can never be repeated, and if architecturebecomes a mere replica of the original whenit does use repetition, what are the building optionsin a historic environment? The constructionindustry in the rapidly growing city of Vilnius isfaced with this very question. Vilnius has a longcultural history, primarily characterised by a baroqueand classical heritage, but also featuringStalinist and modern buildings. What is more,the baroque Old Town is also a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site. This means new building projectsare a controversial subject both here and in therest of the city. The new-builds, whether they behistoric replicas or progressive architecture, canquite easily turn out to be total mismatches. Toavoid such problems when constructing this residentialdevelopment, the architects turned theirattention to the principal features unifying thestyles found in the neighbourhood: proportion,materiality and colour. They selected a classicalbuilding configuration: a taller ground floor forthe retail and entrance level, four main storeysabove and, finally, a mansard loft level at the top.In line with the adjacent buildings, they createda symmetrical façade, mirrored projecting andrecessed building parts along the central axisand even made reference to the typical squarebalconies. However, the architects designed thefaçade based on a purely abstract interpretationof these historical elements and employed theutmost care. Instead of classical stucco decorations,they have used rigorously linear plasterjoints to form a grid on the façade. In contrast, inthe inner courtyard, they kept the façade smooth,only applying slender joints in the beige renderingto create better proportions. The materialsused in the building indicate its modern status:balconies and roof terraces surrounded by delicateglass balustrades, slender metal shop windowframes, and the mansard loft level clad inALUCOBOND® PLUS naturAL Zinc, again withaccentuated joints for better overall proportion.Seen from the road, the building appears ratherunderstated until the sun touches the galvanizedand the zinc-coloured details to refract in nostalgicsepia.