This property in Lithuania is shared by “the real owner of the area,” a rescue dog named Brownie. According to the architects at Arches, the firm responsible for the sustainable home remodel, the calm dog was the first to greet them when they initially came to visit the site.
Apparently, Brownie had been there longer than the current owners. Years ago, the former owners noticed a lost stray on their property and decided to feed and shelter the dog while letting him come and go as he pleased. When the owners sold the home and moved away, Brownie stayed loyal to the place, even sticking around waiting patiently through the construction period. Brownie has since become a beloved and well-known dog in the area, and he has remained on-patrol on the property with the new owners, helping to greet visitors.
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The project focused on reconstructing the existing older buildings to better compliment that picturesque landscape. There is a main residential house located in the upper area of the site as well as a separate storehouse sitting on the lower part. A granite pavement connects the two with some newly planted pines to continue the undergrowth of the former trees.
Only ecological and sustainable materials are used in the project. The facades, made from natural cedar, are what help give this project its name of Cedar House. The window and door details are made from copper. The materials offer a traditional and reliable option by giving long-lasting protection. Pinewood is used for the main construction of both buildings, and the designers chose natural wood wool for the heat insulation. Clay plaster, a locally sourced material, covers the inner walls. Cedar House requires minimal interventions and helps celebrate the natural context of its surroundings, including Brownie the loyal watchdog.
Photography by Norbert Tukaj via Arches
