House 61 / Sampling Architects

Architects: Sampling Architects
Year: 2020
Photography: Madara Kuplā
Materials: Reinforced concrete, aluminum window frames, glazing
City: Jūrmala
Country: Latvia

House 61 is a single-storey residence located within the pine forests of Jūrmala, Latvia, designed by Sampling Architects and completed in 2020. The project explores the architectural potential of exposed concrete by reversing the conventional construction sequence: insulation is placed on the interior, allowing the load-bearing concrete shell to remain fully visible on the exterior. The house is organized as a series of linear volumes with slightly varying heights that correspond to the internal spatial arrangement. Integrated rainwater gutters and elongated roof planes above the entrances emphasize the sculptural qualities of the structure while maintaining functional clarity. Window openings of different proportions and geometries respond to both practical interior needs and the surrounding forest landscape. Carefully detailed construction, including precisely planned formwork seams and embedded aluminum frames, reinforces the building’s monolithic character while highlighting the tactile qualities of concrete. The project demonstrates a disciplined approach to material expression and was recognized as a finalist for the Latvian Architecture Award 2021.

Concrete is kind of the only shelter that protects somebody from being inside and outside. I remember the moment when the shadow of the trees was cast on the concrete — suddenly the concrete started to be alive. So it’s not a dead material.
Interview with Liene Jākobsone and Manten Devriendt of Sampling Architects

The residence appears among the pine forests of Jūrmala as a restrained yet deliberate architectural object whose identity is shaped by structural clarity. Sampling Architects approached the project with the intention of aligning construction logic with visual expression, allowing the load-bearing material itself to define the building’s architectural language. Rather than relying on applied finishes or decorative layers, the design emphasizes the physical presence of concrete, producing a monolithic structure that sits quietly within the natural landscape while maintaining a strong material character.

A key conceptual move in the project is the reversal of the typical construction sequence used in residential architecture. In most buildings, insulation and finishing layers conceal the structural frame. In House 61, insulation is placed internally so that the structural concrete shell becomes the exterior façade. This decision required a high level of precision throughout the design and construction process. Detailed drawings specified the exact placement of formwork seams and clamps so that the traces of construction would contribute intentionally to the visual composition of the building.

The massing of the house directly reflects the internal organization of its spaces. The building is composed of several elongated volumes arranged in a linear sequence, each slightly different in height. This articulation creates subtle variation in the roofline while maintaining the overall clarity of the structure. Long, slender roof planes extend above the entrances, forming light horizontal elements that contrast with the solidity of the concrete walls. Rainwater gutters are integrated directly into the structural system, turning a functional necessity into a visible architectural component.

Openings in the façade introduce variation within the otherwise solid concrete envelope. Their placement, dimensions, and forms respond to both aesthetic considerations and specific interior functions. Several openings are defined by sloping concrete planes, which contribute to the distinctive appearance of the façade while increasing the amount of daylight entering the interior. In the kitchen, a north-facing window projects outward to form a small alcove where occupants can sit and observe the landscape.

Interior spatial experiences are also shaped by carefully framed views and controlled visual connections. In the living room, a low and wide opening positioned approximately 1.6 meters above the floor frames the surrounding pine forest from a seated perspective. Along the hallway, a row of slender concrete columns partially blocks views toward the other wing of the house, redirecting attention toward the filtered light moving through the trees outside. Together with carefully embedded aluminum window frames and the deliberate omission of elements such as parapet caps and window sills, these details reinforce the project’s focus on material authenticity and the sculptural qualities of exposed concrete.