latvian studio NRJA (no rules just architecture) has shared its winning proposal for an architecture competition in riga that sought suggestions for the development of an 893 square meter plot of land on the city’s kr. barona street. entitled LEDUS (ICE), the proposal features a modulated façade of pixel-like window projections and houses both an apartment hotel and restaurant. 

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
the proposal features a modulated façade of pixel-like window projections

 

 

NRJA took care in suggesting its concept for the site: the broader context of the project is recognised as UNESCO world heritage site, with the historic city centre of riga marked as a protected zone. sitting on a corner block enclosed by two busy streets, the design process was suspended due to a number of adverse economic circumstances but was resumed at the end of 2013. to respect the building’s notable surroundings, the color scheme was changed and the amount of glass panelling reduced. this re-birthed concept was renamed RED ICE by NRJA, a name evidenced by the buildings multi-faceted crimson envelope. 

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
the broader context of the project is recognised as UNESCO world heritage site

 

 

originally intended as an apartment building, the revised design transformed RED ICE into an apartment hotel, with a reception and restaurant on the ground floor and kitchen and technical premises in the basement. the generous windows of the building’s façade permit light deep into the establishment’s individual rooms, with corner wrapping panelling providing panoramic views of the city centre. black lace-like latticework adorns the terraces of the building, while the underside of the cubic modules are illuminated by warm tube lighting, lending a futuristic hue to the cityscape at night.    

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
the design process was initially suspended due adverse economic circumstances

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
warm tube lighting lends a futuristic hue to the cityscape at night

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
the generous windows of the building’s façade permit light deep into the hotel’s individual rooms

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
black lace-like latticework adorns terraces of the building

 

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
concept mock-up of the building 

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
general plan

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
1st floor plan

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
2nd floor plan

NRJA's apartment hotel in riga is punctuated by pixelated glass panels
top floor plan

 

 

project info:

 

client: SIA barona īpašums
architecture: NRJA
constructions: sketch project— ig kurbads, technical project — štāls un šteinbergs
engineering: sketch project — plazma studio, technical prject — iag projekti
general contractor: LNK industries
photography: gatis rozenfelds.
plot area: 893 m²
building area: 706 m²
courtyard area: 185 m²
inner courtyard: 136 m²
light courtyard: 49 m²
floors: 6 + loft
total area: 4574,6 m²
apartments: 40
apartment area: 3228 m²
commercial area: 497 m²
parking spaces: 9

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom

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