Multifuknkcinis gyvenamasis kvartalas — © Simas Prikockis / Wienerberger AB atstovybė

Contextuality is king

architectum edition #39

Residential & Business Complex, Quarter VI, Paupys, Vilnius

in Lithuania

Products used

Terca Agora Zilvergrijs WF, Pagus Bruin-Zwart WDF, Forum Pampas WF, Penter Red Kare

Contextuality is king

Once an abandoned industrial zone, a historic district of the Lithuanian capital has been transformed through extensive redevelopment. The brick architecture draws on Paupys’ industrial heritage while integrating contemporary functions and amenities.

A new neighbourhood for Vilnius

Industrial cool is the dominant vibe in Vilnius’ up and coming neighbourhood Paupys – blending urban lifestyle with a green, quiet habitat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The brand-new district east of the old town sits on the south bank of the small Vilnia river. This Paupys site once was the brewery of Ilya Effen Lipski. Later on, in the fifties, a factory for electrical measuring equipment was located here, which after six decades went out of business. The industrial buildings were left to decay until the reconstruction of Paupys into a multifunctional district became part of the Vilnius city municipality strategic plan “Architecture Park”, which began in 2010.

Old-town spirit with a modern twist

Breathing back life into this urban area was the big vision shared by an extraordinary team of creators, among them the renowned “Kančo Studija”, who designed Quarter VI, one of the building complexes in the area, completed in 2022. The architects’ key question: What conditions are needed today for a flexible, agile, and comfortable life? On an area of 28.500 sqm residents are offered a wide variety of housing space - from one-room studio apartments to light-flooded five-room apartments with spacious terraces and huge, floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floors. Open courtyards and playgrounds serve as meeting zones and community areas. Head architect Gustė Kančaitė and her team followed the idea of achieving historical and urban contextuality by translating the former industrial architecture into a new language.

Symbolizing drive and authenticity

To mindfully consider the character and material composition of the building the architects were also assisted by UNESCO experts. In their minds: a brick façade with a back-in-time character featuring a 21st-century urban colour twist. The architects ultimately opted for bricks in light grey, Terca Agora Zilvergrijs WF, a nuanced brown-black, Terca Pagus Bruin-Zwart WFD, and an elegant dark red and purple, Terca Forum Pampas WF. The chosen products not only fulfill the imperative requirements for durability, weather, and fire resistance but also incorporate timeless aesthetics. In harmonious correspondence with the façades, the paving features solid, bright red Penter Red Kare pavers, whose appearance is intended to evolve naturally over time. The eye-catching signature element of the building is a giant archway symbolizing drive and authenticity.

Sleek solutions, cool conversion

Developed by the JSC Darnu Group, the abandoned industrial area was transformed into a vibrant and buzzing quarter. Today residential and business complexes provide charming domiciles and inspiring homebases for creatives and young entrepreneurs. And even more: a cinema, a food court, as well as cycling and hiking along the river create a vibrant community spirit. Paupys has become a city within the city.