The Kairiūnaitis Villa, which was one of the most famous inter-war residences in the area, has been revived in Ponyun – a resort on the outskirts of Kaunas. Dating back to the 1920s, the building has been painstakingly restored, regaining its former beauty and prestige. This place, located on the bank of the Nemunas River, was famous years ago as a luxurious spa where the city’s residents relaxed, received rehabilitation treatments and enjoyed the beauties of nature.
The villa at 28 Gailutės Street, built in 1926, was the residence of the well-known pedagogue Liutaurs Kairiūnaitis. The two-storey building was located in the heart of a villa estate, which was established in the interwar period, in close proximity to the well-known A. Smetonas Avenue and the Nemunas coast, where there are areas conducive to active recreation and rehabilitation. The villa’s façade is adorned with two turrets with domes, serving as architectural accents, with glazed galleries between them and an open balcony in the attic. The moorland landscape of Poniemunia surrounding the house and the proximity of the Nemunas made this place a true oasis of peace and relaxation.
According to researchers of wooden architecture, it was the most magnificent summer house in the area. Until 10 years ago, Kairiūnaitis’ villa was still inhabited, but later the building succumbed to fires several times, which destroyed its interior and facade, bringing it to an emergency state. It was then feared that the once magnificent villa would not last long. However, in 2017, the new owners decided to restore it to its original state. The restoration process took seven years and was overseen by a team of architects – Ugnius Vasiliauskas, Aurelia Daugėlaitė and Tomas Jonaitis.
The biggest challenge for the architects was to combine the requirements of modern building regulations with preserving the historical character of the building. Due to its poor condition after the fires, the villa was stripped down to its foundations and rebuilt with materials much more durable than wood. Although from the outside the building still looks like a wooden structure, it is actually now a brick building that meets all safety standards. As part of the work, the historic appearance of all the facades was restored, with great attention to detail, including the preservation of the wooden decorative elements.
The interior of the villa has undergone a complete metamorphosis. There are now 10 flats with areas ranging from 30 to 64 square metres. There are two- and three-bedroom units, with those on the ground floor having their own patio and the penthouses on the top floor having open balconies. The villa’s surroundings have also been carefully renovated and landscaped. The courtyard has been paved with clinker pavers, ornamental plants have been planted that relate to the character of the architecture, and a specially designed outbuilding houses six garages. In addition, parking spaces are provided for residents.
The reconstruction of this inter-war residence has not only contributed to restoring its former architectural splendour, but has also become an important element in the rebirth of Poniemun as a luxurious suburb of Kaunas. The reconstructed building blends harmoniously with the historical buildings, while offering modern living conditions to its residents. The Kairiūnaitis Villa, with its imposing turrets and greenery-filled surroundings, symbolises a return to the best traditions of Kaunas architecture.
Source and photos: entrinka.lt, klaipeda.diena.lt
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