An unusual project has been completed on the Latvian Baltic coast, in which former Soviet bunkers have been converted into a summer cottage for a multi-generational family. This bold concept was realised by the OAD – Open Architecture Design studio, which utilised the existing concrete structures to create a new development with an impressive floor area of 780 square metres.
Former bunkers reborn
The future owners of the property discovered four bunkers, overgrown with grass and in a state of considerable disrepair, amongst the coastal dunes. After purchasing the plot, they managed to transform them into one main holiday home and two guest cottages, all with the help of the Riga-based OAD studio. The location right on the Baltic Sea, where strong northerly winds shape the local landscape and contort the old pine trees, had a significant influence on the chosen concept. The design was intended to ensure comfort for a family spanning three generations, whilst respecting the very delicate and picturesque coastal landscape.
“In our project, we wanted to examine the role of shelter that it plays in the local natural environment,” says OAD’s founder and lead architect, Zane Tetere-Sulce. “The calm, steadfast attitude of the local community became the central theme of the concept, which binds the remnants of the past with the ever-evolving needs of our times, presenting a contemporary interpretation of the local, challenging history.”
A house that respects local tradition
The main structure is defined by a distinctive gable roof, which complies with local building regulations and folklore, whilst receiving a contemporary interpretation through the use of fibre-cement panels. The material references the aesthetics of local Soviet-era architecture. Houses were then covered with asbestos cement or corrugated sheet metal. A challenging issue for the designers was the placement of a massive roof over a fully glazed façade. To this end, a bespoke steel structure was developed, serving both a load-bearing and visual function. The entrance to the building is situated below the main floor, which is located at first-floor level. This layout allowed the living area to be raised above the sea horizon, providing spectacularly beautiful views.
Bunkers transformed into a contemporary home
The house’s structure has been set atop the foundations of two former bunkers, creating a sort of bridge. This ingenious solution has made it possible to increase the usable floor area whilst minimising the impact on the site. The guest cottages, inspired by the original form of the shelters, have retained their compact volumes and green roofs. Covering them with vegetation benefits the local fauna and further integrates the new development with the natural landscape. The relationship between the elevated section and the one sunk into the ground is the most important and distinctive element of the entire concept for the seaside complex.
Austere interiors and relationship with the landscape
The interiors have been designed with a minimalist aesthetic, emphasising the raw quality of the materials and the simplicity of the details. Wood, concrete and distinctive textures feature here, highlighting the project’s unusual location, practically on the Baltic beach itself. The building’s layout supports the daily rhythm of life. The living area is bathed in the morning sun, whilst the owners’ bedroom takes on an amber hue at sunset. The glazed façade allows one to feel a tangible connection with nature.
“One of our main objectives when designing this seaside retreat was to minimise its impact on the landscape. It is a house that does not dominate its surroundings, but functions within them in the least intrusive way possible,” sums up architect Zane Tetere-Sulce.
design: OAD – Open Architecture Design
project name: SAR
location: Saraiki, Latvia
year of construction: 2024
total area: 780 sq m
lead architect: Zane Tetere-Sulce
photography: Alvis Rozenbergs
Read also:Holiday home | Latvia|Minimalism | Concrete|Glass|whiteMAD on Instagram
