OPEN AD

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Latvia’s historical centre of Riga is celebrated for its rich Art Nouveau (or Jugendstil) and nineteenth century wooden architecture. It is in this city, where Open AD’s latest apartment project lies, holding the jigsaw piece that makes up one part of the rich history of the city’s prized possession of Art Nouveau architecture. 

Shared between a father and son, the three bedroom and four bathroom apartment is majestically sized at 442.2 m2, flowing almost unceasingly over two floors. Open AD were commissioned to architecturally redesign the space with both residents in mind living separately but within one unified residence. The architects did exactly that by providing each resident with their own separate living quarters, occupying their own floor; the father occupying the first, while the son occupying the second. This apartment is by far no residence for a regular family affair, but is fittingly designed as a gentleman’s abode that one could imagine as being the residence of Mr James Bond himself.

Historically the floor plans involved the front-facing interiors to preside as the extravagant section of the apartment that would be the first point of reveal, whilst the posterior section was reserved to conceal the staff quarters. In keeping with this traditional layout, the architects chose to preserve this concept as they programmed the shared living quarters to be located towards the street facing view. Thus allowing the space to profit from the natural light and scenic town landscapes received from the grand arched windows that ornament the rooms. The intimate quarters, however were then reserved towards the rear of the apartment to retain a certain degree of privacy. 

A personalised sense of identity was created within the apartment for both residents in which the architects ‘ensured a change in atmosphere and aesthetics between both floors’. A centralised palette consisting of dark rich marble and wooden textures paired with a predominately monochrome palette, designed to help not only conjure a strong masculine expression, but also helped to establish a sense of uniformity between the two levels.

The central staircase constitutes as a theatrical showpiece within the apartment, as it gives ‘the impression of levitating and guides between the two levels both physically and psychologically.’ 

Subtle architectural details such as the curved silver bathroom walls on the upper floor in contrast to the linear walls on the lower levels, as well as the shift in colour tones, were employed to mark the point of difference between the two different living quarters within the shared apartment. The silver bathroom on the upper level was inspired by a spaceship, drawing on the analogy of ‘fresh landings in a historic setting’. The ultimate height of bathroom luxury is attained with the spa experience featuring the residence’s own sauna.

On the upper floor, the apartment benefits from not only an outdoor terrace, but also a tower that has been designed as a ‘man cave’ with views of the city. This is den is not akin to any other, with its luxurious fittings and fixtures that consist of red velvet coverings across the walls and the curved lounge, which are illuminated under a stunning chandelier centrepiece.

Apartment Yos offers a gentleman’s residence that is sophisticatedly urbane, elegant, and possess a strong degree of confidence. Open AD have delivered with certainty a resolve to bring two respective residences into one abode in a seamless polished design.

PHOTOGRAPHY | ALVIS ROZENBERGS