Painters'
Lake House

Competition introduction

Competition organisers

Buildner Architecture Competition Organisers are asking architecture enthusiasts to submit designs for a painters' residence to be located on the beautiful shore of Cernostes Lake, in one of Europe’s greenest countries, Latvia.

Latvia lies in Northern Europe, on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea and the north-western part of the East European Craton, with a mixed and diverse cultural history birthed from having at some point been invaded by almost every regional power. Latvia has yet to be properly discovered by large tourist crowds, with the capital city of Riga still being the country’s main tourism hub. The dynamic capital is a unique city that boasts beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, traditional cobblestone lanes, the historic Old Town, and steeples as far as the eye can see.

Latvia provides endless opportunities for both locals and visitors alike to enjoy the pristine natural beauty of this sparsely-populated country; providing an ideal setting for hiking, cycling, and nature-watching in a variety of natural settings.

Buildner Architecture Competition Organisers are asking architecture enthusiasts to submit designs for a painters' residence to be located on the beautiful shore of Cernostes Lake, in one of Europe’s greenest countries, Latvia.

The house that is currently on site was once owned by two brothers who lived there with their families. The current site owners are now looking to transform it into a prime example of a sustainable environment, which respects the basic principles of nature.

The new residence would need to function as a temporary home and workshop for painters. It would need to replace the current building and accommodate two painters who would move in with their families and live in the new house for three months. These artists would then vacate to make room for another two painters to replace them.

The wooden house that is currently located on-site was once owned by two brothers who lived there with their families and who owned and operated a linseed oil mill. The current site owners are now looking to transform it into a prime example of a sustainable environment, which respects the basic principles of nature.

The key space of the building would be an inspiring painters’ workshop that would need to be a versatile space that would offer plenty of natural light, with the option to be transformed from one large area to smaller, more private work zones if required.

The residence would need to offer a balance of privacy and interaction so that both families could live together comfortably for a prolonged period of time.

As winning designs will be put forward for consideration for construction, the jury will be looking for projects that focus on eco-friendly and cost-effective building techniques, in keeping with Latvia's reputation as one of the greenest countries in Europe.

Download the full competition brief for more information!

The competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English