city design & architecture lab

HELLO.We are architects, urbanists and designers who create unique design and ideas for your investments and development. From home interiors and buildings to large scale developments - we combine innovation, planning and outstanding design ideas to make your places more welcoming, engaging and attractive.

Our team has been collaborating on various projects since 2005 until recently joining forces together with founding of YCL studio – a design and consulting company. Now we can offer exclusive professional services to our clients with knowledge and experience brought from UK, Sweden and Lithuania.

With the office based in Vilnius we work on projects internationally. This small book is designed to give you a taster our key projects to date. We are constantly updating it. You are welcome to contact us for new commissions and collaborations.

Our clients are successful developers, private investors and public organisations, such as MG Valda, Birmingham City Council, UAB “Invalda Real Estate”, UAB „CPIO Gulbinai Gardens Holdings“ and others.

To find out more please visit www.ycl.lt, alternatively contact us by email: info@ycl.lt

Have fun!

URBAN DESIGN

BIG CITY PLAN 7

T-09 URBAN AREA 9

GREATER ICKNIELD PORT 11

LITHUANIAN FILM STUDIOS 13

BUSINESS TRIANGLE 15

SPORTS & CONGRESS HALL 17

MISSIONARY GARDENS

(LT) 2011 Client: Vilnius Municipality

Created with: Ineta Naujalyte

Historicaly important Misionary Gardens are dated back to the 17 - 18 centuries.

YCL team took part in a public tender proposing revival of the gardens through connecting its two parts and creating attractive environment for variety of user types - residents, tourists, seniors, youth, families, professionals and others.

At present gardens sits between the old town and ‚Montmartre‘ of Vilnius. It has three neglected ponds, shrubs and is cut into two parts by a wide and busy road. The area could be revived through complex planning of connections and uses. YCL team created a proposal for ‚Experience Park‘ with connected network of the four key themes based around:

Views – city observation and panoramic points, History - around monestary complex, Senses - garden with smells, raw surfaces, sounds and vivid coloursMeeting – social interaction in the market, community garden and community centre

The team was awarded commendation and special prize.

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“Is the Big City Plan an inspiring document? Yes.” The Birmingham Post, 2010

“This is the most readable planning document, I’ve ever seen” Stephen Hughes, chief executive of Birmingham City Council

“This is the first time I’ve seen clear suggestions creating a fantastic, workable city.” Glenn Howells of Glenn Howells Architects.

BIG CITY PLAN (UK) 2010

Client: Birmingham City Council

Created with: Waheed Nazir Richard Cowell, David Lloyd

Andrew Round, Nigel Edmondson Henry Cross, Fiona Walker &

Andrew Buckerfield

Big City Plan (BCP) is the most ambitious, development project ever undertaken in the UK. This masterplan sets out a clear vision for the future growth and defines how more than 800 ha of land in city centre will be developed over the next 20 years.

One of our founding partners was invited to join the City Centre Development Team at BCC to take a leading role for design of the Masterplan. It was was based on 5 key elements, which will create a successful and competitive city centre: • Innovation & skills; • Economic & cultural diversity; • Connectivity; • Place quality; • Strategic Decision Making.

The masterplan is not just the city council’s vision, but one owned by a range of public and private sector organisations. It does the following:

• Identifies city’s priorities for main transformational areas.• Identifies over 65,000 m² of public spaces, 28 km of enhanced walking and cycling routes.• Sets out a movement framework transforming connectivity. • Explores the evolution of land uses, locations for tall buildings and the role of heritage. • Sets out visionary proposals for each of the city centre quarters.• Fully integrates sustainable development as part of the transformation of city centre.

The document is available for download on www.bigcityplan.org.uk

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T-09 URBAN AREA

(LT) 2010 Client: UAB „CPIO

Gulbinai Gardens Holdings“

Created with: Petras Dzervus Audrius Sakas & Agne Bilkyte

The area of 13.5 ha is to be developed as low to medium density residential area accommodating 1000 new households. T-09 site is situated in developing area of Vilnius near Verkiai Regional Park.

The urban concept is largely based on sustainable development principles incorporating mixed typology of buildings; pedestrian and cycling priority; high quality open spaces and buildings. The area is close to four lakes, forest and is within national cycling network with great public transport connections to the city. The area will provide a healthy family orientated living environment. As such, our and APF Grafo design teams were focusing on a high quality place-making, where unique spaces and contemporary architecture would work in balance with natural environment and green infrastructure within the site.

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The city of Birmingham anticipates its population growth by 10% in next 20 years. One of the strategic city’s growth areas to the West of the city centre is to be transformed to sustainable urban neighbourhood called Greater Icknield Port. The 400ha area will provide 6000 new homes and has a tremendous potential due to its ‘blue’ infrastructure – 28ha reservoir and 2 loops of canal system.

Greater Icknield Port will show the way for high quality design and sustainable community living in Birmingham. It aims to address a wide range of social, economic and environmental sustainability needs through its land use, environment and open space proposals.

One of our partners was appointed to work with Birmingham City Council’s team to create the urban design vision for the area. The idea for the area is that urban life and activities will be organised in a structure that is closer and denser. This new community will be supported by a wide range of local shopping, credible urban spaces, community facilities, working opportunities, and open spaces as well as accessible public transport and walking options to reduce reliance on the car.

This urban vision will inform the Development Framework to form the base guidelines for future developments.

GREATER ICKNIELD PORT

(UK) 2010 Client: Birmingham City Council

Created with: Patricia Gomez Simon Delahunty-Forrest & Fiona Walker

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The 1st prize was awarded for our solutions for 1ha of former film studios site, which is to be converted into the first eco-neighbourhood in Vilnius. The area is a 10min bicycle ride from the heart of the city with great public transport connections.

We were working in collaboration with 2T & EGL design teams to create an outstanding quarter with residential, commercial functions all glued with exciting green infrastructure for outdoor activities, play areas, cycling and pedestrian path network. This site is a germ for the ones looking for a place to hide from intensive lifestyles within the city.

The main principle for sustainable solutions was to re-use the existing natural features to manage rain water and waste, as well as produce energy from renewable resources. Therefore medium to high density housing with green roofs or solar panels were grouped in clusters of 2-3 units with careful orientation for optimal sun light. 10,500m² of commercial use were designed along the main road working as a barrier from traffic pollution as well as creating architectural landmarks and gateway to the area.

LITHUANIAN FILM STUDIOS

(LT) 2008 Client: MG Valda

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BUSSINESS TRIANGLE

(LT) 2008 Client: MG Valda

17This urban design competition project was acknowledged with a special prize for remarkable and original ideas for business improvement district in central Vilnius.

The competition brief asked for design proposals for 70.000 m² mixed use development, which shows clear reorganisation and re-structure of the existing urban mess. It sought to improve area’s identity and become ‘friendly’ to its built environment.The main issues to be dealt with, were:

_The area was overloaded with cars_Nobody is left in the area after 6pm.

Working together with 2T & EGL teams we have looked at the options how to integrate the ‘Business triangle’ quarter into the city-centre-wide cycling, walking and river transport network.

The driver of our design was a continuous flow of quality public and private spaces creating a journey of different experiences from the riverside to the city. The aim is to improve the riverside so it becomes a magnet and inspires people to leave their vehicles and enjoy peaceful walking, cycling or boating through the area. Consequently these spaces would trigger more diverse economy, which functions throughout the day-evening-night attracting a variety of people and activities into the area. The architecture would function as a bond between spaces and set a backdrop for public realm.

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LEISURE

MEMORIES

ACTION

TO WORK

HOME

OLD TO

WN

NEW TOWN

SPORT & CONGRESS

HALL (LT) 2008

Client: Ukio bankas & Vilnius Municipality

This was our 1st international urban design competition where I was working with 2T studio and EGL design teams on one of the most strategically important areas within central Vilnius.

The area accommodating the Sports Palace and the largest city’s football stadium of Zalgiris was to be transformed into the area as a Sports & Congress complex. It includes the iconic Sports Palace built in 1971, which is an example of Soviet Constructivism and Brutalist architecture, remarkable for its vessel-like exterior. The Palace is one of the architectonic icons of Soviet Vilnius now listed for its cultural values.

Our aim was to infuse the urban life around the magnificent structure of Sports Palace by introducing new themes leading into and out of the city centre, home and work places around the area. This site is on the crossroads of many potential roads, which now pass around rather than through the area.

In addition the area accommodated 65.000m² of residential, retail, office, hotel and other uses.

The scheme was awarded with 2nd prize for outstanding urban design solutions creating continuous urban landscape within old town preservation environs; systematic and functionally integrated network of public spaces; sustainable architectural solutions; transport and pedestrian links to the adjoining areas.

ARCHITECTURE

MOLETAI CULTURAL HOUSE 23

MODERN ART CENTRE 25

TURNISKES QUARTER 27

SUPER SANATORIUM 29

DRUSKININKAI VILLA 31

UDENS IELA 33

VEISIEJAI COUNTRYSIDE 35

23Working with APF Grafo team we were commissioned to reconstruct the Cultural House in Moletai (LT), where the existing library, theatre and museum will be brought back to life and adapted for 21st century performances and use. The current building is well used and loved by local community, thus we are challenged to create architectural and functional solutions that are extremely subtle and sensitive to the context of existing built environment - a combination between local culture and contemporary architecture.

The current building is out-dated and has no clear architectural style due to various extensions and parts were built in different periods. The building structure will consist of three parts – two lifted volumes at the sides will frame the middle part, which is highly appreciated by local community for various reasons. As such, this part will be only re-plastered and most external changes will affect the side parts. These side volumes will be covered with perforated copper sheets forming new rhythm and ratio between the openings and solid parts of facade.

As per new proposal, the front entrance to the theatre will stand out as a lifted volume, which will act as a landmark feature of the building highlighting the importance of the building as well as providing clear access to the interior. This feature will create a clear visual link and reinforce the compositional axis between the church and the main city square, as well as respecting the visual connection with the church.

MOLETAI CULTURAL

HOUSE (LT) 2011

Client: Moletai Culture House

25The competition for the Modern Art Centre was announced to introduce vitality and activate thefrontageto the river Neris in Vilnius.

The right side of river Neris accommodates a variety of public and commercial buildings, such as National Art Gallery, Swedbank headquarters, Forum Palace, Hotel Lietuva and so on. This creates a very complex urban context, where the river frontage is overlooked by iconic stand-alone building typology. As such our team was challenged to create a piece of contemporary architecture, which is sensitive to the waterfront and surrounding structures.

The following three ideas are behind the newly designed building. The first is the continued sequence of existing open spaces. As such organic flow was extended with new entrance square and small forest, which spills inside and outside of the building. The second is the volume of the building consisting of three boxes, which is a mirrored representation of the listed building of the National Art Gallery. And thirdly, the orientation and location of the building within the site was carefully selected, so it shows up as a contemporary extension and contribution to the listed building rather a competitive structure.

MODERN ART CENTRE

(LT) 2011 Client: VI”Modernaus meno centras”

Created with: Petras DzervusAudrius Sakas & Agne Bilkyte

27The area of Turniskes next to the River Neris is one of the most prestigious areas in the outskirts of Vilnius. Although surrounded with forest and the most gorgeous views, the site was used for storage and warehouses built in Soviet times. Only recently the permission was given for luxurious residential villa type development to be incorporated into the precious landscape.

The idea for the quarter is to keep the soft flow of the landscape by shifting villas along the street to create multilayered vistas. More density is concentrated next to the forest and it becomes less dense closer to the slope. Colours and materials were carefully selected to reflect the stillness and tranquillity of the place.

Two types of the buildings – 2 storey semi detached and individual villas – are well incorporated into the landscape with car parking enclosed within the hilly topography. Subtle minimalistic architecture creates a sanctuary for exceptional clients wishing for splendid oasis in the forest.

TURNISKES QUARTER

(LT) 2010 Client: UAB “Tukompa“

Created with: Audrius Sakas & Agne Bilkyte

29Our team has been previously involved in many investment project proposals where we have mostly worked with APF “Grafo” and other architectural studios to visualise and present their architectural solutions.

One of such investment projects was the 5ha former pioneer campus near Minsk that has been privatized to create a “Super Sanatorium” area for holiday homes and leisure. This commercial project will include 367 (40,000m²) high density residential units. The harbour area was designed as a boulevard with docks for yachts and commercial areas built as light construction pavilions, cafes and restaurants.

SUPER SANATORIUM

(BY) 2008 Client: APF “Grafo“

31Together with 2T studio team, we were commissioned to design this funky block in South of Lithuania. The client asked for trendy intervention with a dash of historical response to city heritage. As a response we have designed a contemporary version of a region’s characteristic wood dominated architecture with modern interpretation of carved elements and copper roof cladding.

The building is located on the lake side within the city centre of the most graceful resort in Lithuania - Druskininkai. The 5 house blocks are ‘skewed’ with communal gallery space and staircase access. This volume gives human scale to the block and flirts with historical environment. Ground floor will be filled with mixed activities, while the secured play area is enclosed at the back of the site.

There are 15 residential units varying in size between 60 to 95m² per unit. All the living spaces have balconies or terraces overlooking the lake and park on the Southern side. The underground car park with 18 parking spaces is accessed from internal courtyard where we have introduced special wooden landscape details to improve the quality of living environment.

DRUSKININKAI APARTMENT

BLOCK (LT) 2008

Client: Re&Solution Lithuania

33UDENS IELA

(LV) 2007 Client: APF “Grafo“

An urban redevelopment project of former industrial area in central part of Latvia’s capital Riga. The site of 4ha is just a small part of a factory complex where rapid conversion of the area is taking place. The site is to be redeveloped into high quality residential apartments mixed with commercial use and attractive open spaces in close proximity to the canal sides.

Due to poor technical conditions and lack of architectural character, the existing buildings will be removed and replaced with four to nine storey high apartment blocks providing 880 housing units for families and young professionals.

A special focus was paid to the spaces in between the buildings where organic and slender landscape silhouettes were created to break the severe character of the place and create comfort and refuge for urban dwellers. Due to high density housing and high car parking requirements, the vehicles were hidden under ground claim the above spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

A 500m² private commission for a multi functional venue located on a former site of manor house estate in South Lithuania. The area is located within one of the most beautiful peninsulas of the lake Veisiejis.

Subtle design of the building was influenced by its majestic setting of centuries-old oaks and water surrounding the island from three sides. The building is constructed from re-used bricks, timber and stone. At the moment it is used as a conference, wedding, meeting and celebrations venue and is capable to accommodate up to 70 people on its first floor.

Our involvement included all parts from conceptual design to technical detailing and interior design of the building. More information about the venue and services to be found in www.kotrynossala.lt

VEISEJAI COUNTRYSIDE

(LT) 2006 Client: Private owner

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INTERIOR DESIGN

LOBIS HOUSE 39

GUEST APARTMENT 41

ROLANDAS FLAT 43

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This interior for 200m² house was a great opportunity for our design team to experiment with natural materials and textures. The 4 bedroom house will accommodate a young family with 3 children, where both of the parents are busy lawyer and a doctor. As such the idea is to keep their spaces functional and practical, but full of aesthetics and natural materials; encouraging children’s creativity through senses and exploration of raw finishes and textures.

The ground floor works as a communal space for all family members and guests. Here the open plan areas are distributed around the metal washroom box covered in rusted metal finish creating a warm and earthy feeling.

Another key experiment is the huge concrete table in the kitchen. The versatile properties of concrete allow a variety of textures and bring slender character to the environment. Combined with light top and wooden chairs it creates an elegant and sophisticated contemporary space.

The upper floor functions as a private area. The light tones and special finishes allow children to constantly re-create their interior by allowing drawings on the walls and similar flexible decoration.

LOBIS HOUSE(LT) 2009

Client: Private client

41

An interior for flat of 60m² was designed to reflect client’s subtle taste and works for several types of people. The client decided to use this flat as a ‘guest room’ for his business partners and frequent guests visiting Vilnius. As such we have created a neat and practical environment where the open plan kitchen and living area works as a representative meeting space.

The idea is to create a type of environment were the base parts of the flat, such as walls, floor and ceilings, would give a durable and subtle background for ever changing details. Due to the size of the flat daylight is critically important. As such white finishes gives an airy feeling and floods space with light. Wooden floor gives a cosy and warm feeling, so everyone would feel like home.

GUEST APARTMENT

(LT) 2009 Client: Private client

Created with: Audrius Sakas

43

The interior was created to suit the new-age bachelor’s lifestyle. Our client is an energetic show man, who needs home to unwind. As such we have turned a 55m² flat into a stylish minimalistic interior, which gives light and spacious environment. Furniture works as a wall extension rather than a stand-alone object, therefore leaving rooms free of clutter.

An artist was involved to create custom decorated ceilings in the living area. In this case concrete was painted with several layers of light and dark tones to create wood texture. Instead of being cold, concrete creates a cosy and warm backdrop for a light room. The other materials in the apartment are limited to very few, such as glass and wood to allow transparency and leave a light sensation.

ROLANDAS FLAT

(LT) 2010 Client: Private client

THANK YOU none of this would have happened without:

studio@ycl.lt / www.ycl.lt

Alvydas Jatkialo, Mantas Umbrasas, Marius Jakstas, Paulius Maskoliunas, APF “Grafo”, “5 Iela”, EGL studio, Tomas Jakovlevas, Petras Dzervus, Tamara Celombijeva, Agne Bilkyte, Audrius Sakas, Romualdas Sakas, Tautvydas Vileikis, Ugnius Urba, Rokas Kontvainis, Valdukas Ryzabarzdis, Andrius Pekarskas, Agnius Tamosaitis, Algimantas Gedgaudas, Ricardas Pruskus, Antanas Krutulis, Sigitas Butkevicius, Kiril Sinica, Rolandas Mackevicius, Solveiga ir Vygaudas Cekanauskai, Ingrida Umbrasaite, Andrius Steponkevicius, Arentas Butkus.

Birmingham City Design and City Centre Development Teams - in particular Nigel Edmondson, Andrew Round, Waheed Nazir, Richard Cowell, Patricia Gomez, Simon Delahunty - Forrest and the rest of great team; Mike Rawlinson, Jason Smith and all City ID team, Glenn Howells, Claire Greenwood, Alan Chatham and Mark Billingham from former Birmingham Developments Ltd., Ian Standing and Matthew Gower from Associated Architects, MAKE Birmingham, Neil Rami from Marketing Birmingham, Argent Group Ltd. JKLJS Team.

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UK: