House of the Flying Trees / Open AD

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Garden, CourtyardHouse of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Facade, Windows, GardenHouse of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Interior Photography, Living RoomHouse of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Interior Photography, LightingHouse of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - More Images+ 31

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House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Courtyard
© Klavs Loris

Text description provided by the architects. An apartment complex in the historical center of Riga, HOFT comprises the remaining 19th century Art Nouveau facade building (by architect Karl Johann Felsko) with two additional floors and a seven-story travertine-clad new volume. Every one of the 42 apartments (ranging in size from 76 m2 to 232 m2) has its own balcony overlooking a central courtyard.

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Klavs Loris
House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Image 30 of 36
First Floor Plan

While today it’s not uncommon for courtyards to function as car parks, at HOFT the architects directed traffic into a freshly constructed underground parking lot. The outdoor haven is therefore reserved for residents to enjoy and connect with each other. The lobbies and common rooms reflect this idea and provide space to meet and mingle on shared ground.

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Klavs Loris

The ‘flying’ bonsai trees are both an homage to Art Nouveau with its nature-inspired motifs and an innovative way to enhance the presence of greenery in the city. They ‘fly’ at many levels in specially designed boxes to be visible at all times, and provide comfort and inspiration to residents and their guests. The trees are at the heart of the building’s identity and are reflected in the logo, graphic design, and the entrance gates into the courtyard.

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Garden
© Klavs Loris

Thanks to its location, HOFT is lucky to face some of Riga’s most striking examples of Art Nouveau, and the architects made sure to embrace this. All front-facing rooms benefit from large windows, so the facades across the street contribute to the atmosphere, becoming an integral part of the interior. In the indoor communal areas, Art Nouveau is interpreted in the choice of shapes, materials, and the overall flow of the space. Where possible, interior features were kept intact. Interiors are completed with original artwork by local artist Klavs Loris.

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Interior Photography, Living Room
© Klavs Loris
House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Interior Photography, Living Room, Chair
© Klavs Loris

HOFT illustrates that city centers 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.

House of the Flying Trees  / Open AD - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa
© Klavs Loris

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Address:Riga, Latvia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "House of the Flying Trees / Open AD" 09 Apr 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/979087/house-of-the-flying-trees-open-ad> ISSN 0719-8884

© Klavs Loris

飞树公寓 / Open AD

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