Restored retreat

Almost forgotten, this gem on the Curonian Spit in Lithuania has been carefully restored with brick, transforming it into a peaceful retreat that offers an escape for residents and visitors alike. The Curonian Spit, a long and narrow stretch of land in the Baltic Sea, is a treasured natural reserve and a popular tourist destination in Lithuania. In the small village of Nida, a recreational centre from the 1960s found new life as an apartment building after a thorough renovation in 2023. Chief architect and founding partner of Lithuanian DO ARCHITECTS Andrė Baldišiūtė was tasked with the redesign.

The “Velvet Dunes” are a spatially generous building complex. How did you approach this project?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Initially, the plan was to build a completely new structure. However, we realised that achieving a new, high-quality space didn’t require us to demolish everything. We wanted to retain the layers of memory, which always have a deeper, more authentic beauty.

These elements feel closer to people. Little by little, we proved that the same modern, high-end quality could be achieved by working with the existing building – through new layouts, larger apartments, and thoughtful structural updates.

You entered the project in 2017. By then the former recreational centre had already been abandoned for quite a while. What did you find when you first looked at the building?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: All the spatial configurations and exterior walls were in relatively good condition, so we were able to preserve the entire structure. The wooden elements had to be replaced as they are usually the first to deteriorate. Fortunately, we could replicate the original wooden structures, allowing us to restore the building while maintaining its authenticity as much as possible.

Would you say you prefer renovation over building something new?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Yes. We really love renovations. Transforming abandoned buildings into something meaningful brings us a lot of joy. For clients, it’s often hard to believe that it’s possible – that a building deserves a second or even third life. As this building was designed by modernist and postmodernist architects during the Soviet era, the spacial public-private configuration was unique – we were happy to preserve and renew that.

How did you adapt the modernist era aesthetic with today’s tastes?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Modernist buildings often provide a certain contradiction with nature, as they tend to stand apart from their surroundings rather than blend in. Our goal was to change that by creating harmony between the building and its surrounding nature.

This approach guided our material choices. The area has a lot of sand, with grass and various plants naturally growing from it. So we selected a brick colour that reflects the natural palette of the landscape, which is a mix of sand and pine trees.

The building has a long history and has seen several different architectural epochs. How did you preserve that in the redesign?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Our goal was to create something that serves the present while respecting traditional elements. Blending the different architectural epochs with each other was a clear aim which is visible on the roof, for example. The flat clay roof tile clearly shows that the renovation took place in the 2020s, yet it still fits seamlessly with the surrounding environment and reflects the building’s heritage. The roof plays a significant role in complementing the overall style of the building. Particularly when viewed from above, it’s a nice balance between modern and traditional.

„Modernist buildings often provide a certain contradiction with nature. Our goal was to create harmony between the building and its surrounding nature. This approach guided our material choices." - Andrė Baldišiūtė, Chief architect and founding partner of Lithuanian DO ARCHITECTS

Will the new residential and recreational centre attract more tourists? Is this an aim of the region?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: The recreational centre has always been open to the public and the client wanted to preserve that concept. The Curonian Spit is a nature reserve, and only a limited number of visitors are allowed. The region would like to attract more tourists while protecting it from becoming too mainstream. A solution was to extend the season with a spa centre. By adding a public spa centre and heating the water of the outdoor pool, we made the region more attractive even for a winter visit.

Why did you choose to clad the building entirely with clay bricks?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: The climate in this area is quite harsh, with high moisture levels due to the surrounding water and strong winds. So, we needed materials that would age well and remain stable over time. One of our core beliefs is that if you build with clay bricks, you’ll renovate it rather than replace it, ensuring longevity. That’s why we chose brick for the façade. It’s a material that can withstand decades of weathering while maintaining its integrity. Also, it is quite simple to renovate, allowing the building to remain as it was originally envisioned even after being adapted to new uses and technological demands.

Is clay brick a traditional material in this region?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Yes, both brick and wood are traditional materials here. However, the sandy-coloured brick we used for this project is not the typical choice. Traditionally, bricks in this region are more of a classic red. But despite the colour difference, brick itself has long been a fundamental building material in the area.

For the façade, you used Virtua bricks. Did you use the same bricks for the outside and inside?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: Yes, for the inside spa areas we wanted to create a cohesive look that mirrored the outside public spaces. That’s why we used the same Virtua bricks in the same colour on both the façade and inside. The large hallway, which we inherited as part of the structure from the previous architects, was also significant to us. We wanted to preserve it as a powerful central space so the choice of materials reflects that intention.

How did you decide on the Virtua brick?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: We made a colour palette with all the materials and impressions we had in mind, but at first, we couldn’t find a brick that matched our palette. Then we discovered the Virtua bricks from wienerberger. When we introduced them into our palette, they blended in perfectly. We feel we were lucky to find the right bricks. We have a great relationship with wienerberger and frequently use their products in our projects. They offer a wide range of special, luxurious brick types – especially long bricks, which aren’t commonly produced by many manufacturers.

Why did you choose the format of 4 by 40 cm?

Andrė Baldišiūtė: The format helped us to create this unique feeling on the façade. We came across this format during the design process while searching for materials and testing different combinations. We really liked the atmosphere these long bricks created. They reflect a similar vibe to the surrounding forest: the long trunks, branches, light filtering through the trees, and a lot of horizontal and vertical lines that resonate with the natural environment. We liked that.