Oak &Â Elm
Pavilosta Poet Huts
With the world filled with bustling cities, honking horns, and personal and worldwide chaos, it is vital for one’s physical and mental well being to take time away from the news and an everyday work setting to refresh their mind. Oak & Elm by Nina Squared Design is a place that allows for this, particularly for poets to go to when they need a place to acquire new inspirations for their work. Located in Pavilosta, Latvia, we have named the project Oak & Elm after two of the trees that are native and well known in Latvia. We felt the name provided a clean, green sound, and was fitting to our design as these two types of wood were prominent materials in our design.
These poet huts are specifically designed to make poets feel calm and one with the environment, on the retreat site consisting of huts, a terrace for an assortment of events to take place at, a common kitchen and dining space, a meditation space, and a house accommodation for the hosts. Other than the terrace being in the center of the five poet huts, each building is on a different island on our lake and is connected by wooden bridges. We chose to place the buildings on a lake as it provides separation from different activities. This was an especially important factor to consider as we felt the meditation space should have some sort of isolation for the ones wanting to focus on the present moment, hence being away from the terrace and dining hall which can hold lots of activity and distractions. We hope this design allows poets to connect with nature, collaborate with like-minded individuals, reduce personal stress, and develop a deeper appreciation for the luxuries that the world gives us.
Project Overview
Name Meaning
Inspired by two trees native to Latvia
Eco-friendly
Included systems such as solar panels and water resistors
Space to Live & Work
Space to meditate, work, get inspired, collaborate, and host events
Pavilosta, Latvia
Latvia is known as one of the greenest countries in the world. It was also conquered by German knights in the 13th century, resulting in many architectural styles being adapted into the regular construction of buildings. It consists of many small towns including Pavilosta, which is where our design takes place. Pavilosta has a vast mix of hills, fields, forests, and beaches, and currently has a population of 1,134 people. Walking through this town, citizens and visitors alike are able to experience the serenity of nature that the place brings. It is a popular tourist destination for its long sandy beaches and idyllic Baltic Sea waters. There are many cobblestone lanes, traditional houses made out of wood, and places for hiking, biking, and nature watching. It has many seaside views, supporting Pavilosta’s history of being used as a port for transporting stones, and is now used to accommodate fisheries, and sailing and windsurfing schools. The temperature consists of cooler summers and milder winters.