YCL Architectural Studio has designed something extraordinary on the shores of Lithuania’s countryside. Villa O is a 237-square-meter circular residence that ditches conventional rectangular forms for something far more intriguing. The architects—Tomas Umbrasas, Aidas Barzda, and Tautvydas Vileikis—positioned this sculptural home at the highest point of its lakeside plot, creating panoramic views that stretch across all four cardinal directions.
The circular footprint organizes itself around a central plus-shaped configuration, dividing the residence into four distinct living zones. Four semi-enclosed sunken courtyards carved directly into the structure flood the interior with natural light while maintaining privacy from neighboring properties. These courtyards serve as transition spaces between interior and exterior, bringing nature inside without disrupting the home’s geometric integrity. The design encourages natural flow and openness, with each room connecting seamlessly to outdoor spaces through carefully positioned openings.
Designer: YCL Architectural Studio
Thermally modified wood cladding wraps the exterior alongside concrete elements, creating a palette that weathers gracefully against Lithuania’s seasonal changes. The gently sloping concrete walls add sculptural quality both inside and out, their subtle tilt expanding spatial perception while creating dynamic shadows as sunlight moves throughout the day. This material combination ensures the structure ages beautifully while maintaining its architectural presence across seasons.
The circular form presents both opportunities and challenges for contemporary living. Traditional furniture placement requires creative solutions, pushing inhabitants to think beyond conventional room arrangements. The sunken courtyards, while visually striking, demand careful maintenance considerations during Lithuania’s harsh winters when snow accumulation becomes a factor.
Winter photography reveals Villa O’s most stunning transformation. Snow coverage renders the structure almost invisible, creating an ethereal quality that showcases the home’s integration with its natural setting. The circular form disappears into the landscape, becoming part of the site’s topography rather than dominating it. This seasonal camouflage speaks to the architects’ understanding of how buildings should respond to their environment across different weather conditions.
Villa O is an impressive representation of how residential architecture can be pushed beyond standard typologies. It uses circular planning to build a unique living experience while maintaining a connection to natural surroundings. The home functions as both a private retreat and an architectural experiment, utilizing an innovative form to enhance daily living. Through careful attention to site placement, material selection, and spatial organization, Villa O establishes new possibilities for contemporary homes and how they can engage with the landscape while providing functional modern living spaces. Although the four separate courtyards will require ongoing landscaping and drainage maintenance, they still make a unique and captivating addition to this modern home, which offers a refreshing approach to lakeside living.
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