Leonas Garbačauskas
Situated on a picturesque lakeside site in Lithuania, the architectural firm YCL has crafted a strikingly unconventional countryside residence. Named Villa O, this 237-sq-m (2,550-sq-ft) home departs from traditional design norms, embracing a circular form punctuated by four sunken garden courtyards that seamlessly integrate nature into the architecture.
Radial Layout with Panoramic Views
Rejecting the standard rectangular layout, Villa O features a radial floor plan centered around a cross-shaped core, dividing the structure into four distinct living zones. Conceived by Lithuanian architects Tomas Umbrasas, Aidas Barzda, and Tautvydas Vileikis, the home occupies the site’s highest point, offering uninterrupted vistas in every direction.
The interior follows a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Two of the home’s wings contain bedrooms, one serves as guest quarters, and the fourth is dedicated to a private spa. At the core is a fluid communal area where the kitchen, dining, and living spaces converge into a single, light-filled central hub. Each axis of the cross opens onto a different surrounding landscape—lake, forest, fields, and road—enhancing the connection to nature.
Leonas Garbačauskas
Integrated into the structure are four partially enclosed sunken courtyards, which serve multiple purposes: they flood the interior with daylight, ensure privacy, and bring the outdoors in without compromising the home’s circular form.
Natural Materials and Sculptural Design
Externally, Villa O features a refined mix of thermally treated wood and concrete. Sloped concrete walls add a sculptural dimension, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior while casting dynamic shadows throughout the day. This slight inward tilt enhances the feeling of openness within the living spaces.
Leonas Garbačauskas
While the home’s design is visually compelling, it also introduces practical considerations. Its circular footprint may pose challenges for arranging conventional furniture, and maintaining the sunken courtyards during Lithuania’s harsh winters could prove demanding.
Leonas Garbačauskas
Even so, Villa O stands as a bold architectural vision—one that prioritizes harmony with its surroundings. Instead of dominating the landscape, it embraces it, allowing natural light, the terrain, and stillness to define the living experience.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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