Villa O by YCL Studio: A Circular Lakeside Retreat Blending Architecture with Nature
Location: Trakai, Lithuania
Year: 2024
Area: 237 sqm
Photography: Leonas Garbačauskas, Norbert Tukaj
Key Architects: Tomas Umbrasas, Eidas Barzdas, Tautvydas Vileikis
Structural Engineering: Capital Designers, UAB
Construction: Level, UAB
Manufacturers: Brolis Timber, Doletta
A Harmonious Dialogue Between Form and Landscape
Designed by YCL Studio, Villa O redefines lakeside living through its bold circular geometry, seamlessly integrating with the natural surroundings of Trakai, Lithuania. The 237 sqm structure rejects conventional residential templates, opting instead for an organic, sculptural form that responds to the site’s panoramic views. Four sunken courtyards punctuate the design, blurring boundaries between indoors and outdoors while framing distinct landscapes forests, open fields, the lake, and a serene pathway.
Spatial Clarity and Functional Zoning
The interior revolves around a central cross-shaped core, dividing the circular plan into four quadrants: two for bedrooms, one for guest quarters, and a dedicated spa area. The heart of the home unites the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, emphasizing spatial continuity and natural light. Each quadrant opens to a unique vista, ensuring every room engages with the environment. A slightly inclined concrete wall adds dynamic tension, enhancing the home’s volumetric expression.
Material Palette: Contrast and Simplicity
The exterior combines thermally modified timber and raw concrete, creating a tactile contrast against the lush backdrop. This restrained materiality underscores the architects’ commitment to formal simplicity while allowing the landscape to take center stage.
Light, Views, and Architectural Purity
Oriented to the four cardinal directions, Villa O maximizes daylight and sightlines. Private spaces nestle along the periphery, while the central zone remains open and transparent a deliberate move to embody what the architects call “architecture in its purest sense.”
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
Villa O by YCL Studio exemplifies how circular geometry can dissolve the barriers between built and natural environments, offering a meditative retreat anchored by panoramic views. While the design’s sculptural form is visually striking, the reliance on a central core risks limiting flexibility in spatial use future iterations could explore adaptive layouts for evolving lifestyles. Nevertheless, the project’s mastery of light, material contrast, and contextual harmony sets a benchmark for residential architecture that prioritizes both aesthetics and environmental dialogue.
Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences
ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural newsworldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven
