World-class architecture nestled within a green pine park near the Baltic Sea, in Lielupe, at 145 Bulduru Prospekts.
Villa Guna has received several architectural awards for excellence and gained worldwide recognition in 2008 when it received “The Chicago Athenaeum” International Architecture Award — one of the world’s most prestigious honors for outstanding architecture. This architectural work by architect Meinhard von Gerkan (gmp · von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects) blends harmoniously into its surroundings, featuring a fifteen-meter-high observation platform overlooking the surrounding landscape, while the balconies on the southern side of the villa face the central U-shaped volume of the residence, where the principle of contrast creates an additional refreshing tension within the interior spaces.
Villa Guna’s architect, Meinhard von Gerkan, is the co-founder of Germany’s largest architectural firm, gmp Architekten. gmp is also one of the most internationally recognized architectural practices, responsible for creating numerous architectural masterpieces. The building’s distinctive expression gives it a memorable and powerful identity.
Villa Guna incorporates three different modes of circulation — a system of inclined ramps, staircases, and an elevator.
Upon entering the villa, visitors arrive in the vestibule. The central ramp connects the entrance area with split-level floors, where movement upward and downward continuously reveals both the interior and exterior architecture. The glazed skylight atrium creates a dynamic scenography filled with natural light. The two-level living room is accentuated by a sculptural S-shaped balcony, while fireplaces are integrated on both levels of the living room (gas and wood-burning). A high-tech sound system ensures acoustic comfort throughout the villa. Steps integrated into the eastern façade wall lead to the second level of the living room.
The first level of the living room is surrounded by a spacious terrace, while the upper façade level extends into a small irregularly shaped balcony designed for breakfast and late-evening dining. The heart of the home is the double-height living space with an open fireplace — panoramic windows offer views toward the southwest-facing terrace. The private area with three bedrooms and dressing rooms is located on the upper floors of the western wing of the house.
The professionally equipped kitchen area is complemented by two dining spaces — one designed for dining by the fireplace and another ideal for breakfast. The kitchen, featuring a Bulthaup b3 built-in kitchen system, combines anodized aluminum and warm Mexican rosewood finishes with stainless steel surfaces and is equipped with a Gaggenau teppan grill, steam oven, electric cooktop, dishwasher, refrigerator, and wine cooler. An elegant detail is the elevated kitchen cabinetry platform, lifted above floor level to emphasize a highly technical and functional design aesthetic.
Arriving at Villa Guna’s rooftop garden creates the feeling of entering a green oasis, where free-growing plants immerse the space in fresh air and tranquility. The rooftop garden, suspended between earth and sky, features evergreen junipers, ornamental grasses, hydrangeas, and light summer furnishings.
At Villa Guna, everything is unexpected and extraordinary — a fluid, constantly evolving, and experience-rich living environment. Both the architecture and interior spaces are characterized by lightness, openness, and spaciousness, while simultaneously functioning as a sculptural work of art that guarantees its residents an exceptional lifestyle.
When sunlight illuminates the villa, the essence and architectural concept of the residence become fully perceptible. Especially during summer, the house transforms into an open living environment that allows uninterrupted enjoyment of the surrounding nature. Spaces adjoining the ramps, such as the north-facing library and kitchen, are oriented toward the illuminated atrium. The representative entrance garden is enlivened by the sound of flowing water. Around the outdoor swimming pool grow plants imported from various countries — magnolias, miscanthus grasses, heucheras, and large flowering bulbs.
The indoor swimming pool, finished in turquoise-green glass mosaic, invites swimming throughout all seasons. Its sculptural form follows the contours of the façade and visually connects the interior with the surrounding garden and forest through expansive glazing.
The bright wall and floor finishes in Vicenza stone, combined with turquoise Bisazza glass mosaics surrounding the pool area, create an inviting spa atmosphere. Adjacent to the pool is a large recessed jacuzzi equipped with integrated lighting, massage equipment, and a rain shower. The lower ground floor accommodates a garage for two vehicles and technical utility rooms.
Villa Guna’s diverse terraces and open spaces are among its defining architectural features, allowing residents to maintain a close connection with nature. In the northwestern corner of the villa rises a fifteen-meter-high observation tower whose form fully reveals its sculptural character. At sunset, this becomes the most contemplative place in the house, where the presence of the sea can be subtly sensed through the treetops.
“Everyone — both residents and guests — experiences the architecture in its entirety as a ‘promenade architecturale’, a spatial journey whose perception depends on movement through space. As a result of this staged interplay, the boundaries between artificial and natural space dissolve both inside and outside, merging transitional points into one unified whole,” states Meinhard von Gerkan.
Villa Guna’s interior design has been created in refined timeless tones, with carefully selected furnishings and interior objects.
This outstanding architectural masterpiece is fully furnished with pieces by renowned Italian manufacturers including Poltrona Frau, Armani Casa, B&B Italia, and Cappellini.
Villa Guna embodies luxury-level comfort and style, offering its residents the highest quality seaside living where architectural elegance intertwines with the beauty of nature.
General technical specifications:
3 bedrooms
5 bathrooms
Elevator
Air-conditioning system
Gas heating
Video surveillance
Integrated audio system throughout the house
Home cinema equipment
Indoor swimming pool
Spa jacuzzi, rain shower, water bicycle/trainer
Garage for 2 vehicles
Lighting design: Metis Lighting (Italy)
Landscape design: Marko By (Italy)
