After Polish structure agency KWK Promes received a contest in 2016 to design a luxurious single-family house in suburban Vilnius, Lithuania, a regulation slashed the allowable constructing footprint in half. Whereas the consumer noticed this as a cause to maneuver the challenge to a different web site, KWK Promes noticed the issue from the distinctive view of architects – the place constraints aren’t obstacles however important drivers of innovation. Thus, the placing triangular kind that will be referred to as the Trim Home was born.
The unique design was a remarkably luxurious rural house that centered round an atrium to maximise mild. This got here all the way down to intelligent stacking. By elevating the construction one degree, it might double the sky publicity of the central courtyard.
This design positioned the general public and residing areas downstairs with the bedrooms elevated above the bottom ground quantity. It was the proper mix of privateness with out dropping the connection to the backyard. When the brand new regulation got here in 2017, it threw a curveball on the challenge that would have value the structure agency years of labor.
Jakub Certowicz
On the time, Lithuania had a newly elected authorities that went on to cut back the permissible constructing protection by 50%. The rules additionally pressured the driveway, which allowed for web site entry, to chop by what was meant to be backyard house. To persuade the consumer to remain, KWK reduce 40% of the ground space, and to the consumer’s shock, this ended up enhancing the home. It meant extra backyard house, main to raised lighting situations for having fun with Lithuania’s northern latitude and tree-covered setting. So the consumer stayed.
The Trim Home spans 299 sq m (3,218 sq ft) and has an uncommon triangular footprint. The geometry is kind of dramatic too, particularly the place the constructing narrows to a pointy level (recognized on the planet of architects as a flat-iron situation). Concrete and glass meet at sharp angles, whereas a curved courtyard wall softens the harshness.
Jakub Certowicz
As for the within, an area design and structure firm saved the finishes to a minimal. A white spiral staircase serves as the point of interest. A lot of the house is adorned with impartial colours, however the kitchen island – with its patterned marble floor – is a standout.
A lush pine forest surrounds the construction. The bedrooms on the higher degree have a terrace overlooking these timber whereas being excessive sufficient to offer privateness from the road. Beneath, residing areas open on to the courtyard, which acts as an out of doors room that brings daylight deep into the home.
Jakub Certowicz
The Trim Home was accomplished in 2025 with no compromises made because of regulatory constraints. KWK Promes has demonstrated this precept earlier than with tasks like Open House and Quadrant House, however Trim Home’s backstory is especially compelling: when rules pressure your hand, redesign and current the brand new plan to the consumer with conviction.
Supply: KWK Promes
