PROJECT DESIGN PART

1.1 Site analysis

1.1.1 Information about site

Būdvietis is a village in Lazdijai district municipality, 14 km north-west of Lazdijai, 5 km west ofAštrioji Kirsna, 4 km north of the Lithuanian border with Poland. The centre of the municipality.

Distance to Kaunas – 98 km.

Distance to Vilnius – 171 km.

There is a cultural center, a post office, a library, a Catholic church, a medical center. To the north of the village there is a pond called Būdvietis.

The fragments of the Būdviečio manor house are located about 15 km east of Lazdijai, 4 km from the border with Poland.

The village with selected site is located in the border of two county: Marijampole andAlytus.

The site covers an area of approximately 13.5 ha.

The address is the territory of the village of Būdviečio, Būdviečio region., including the area around the barn of Būdviečio (Liepų st. 6), around the pond of Būdviečio, and the adjacent area around the church of Jesus of Nazareth of Būdviečio (Bažnyčios st. 8).

1.1.2 Site analysis

Chosen village is located at the border of two districts – Marijampole andAlytus. The site is located at the northern part of the village, it is surrounded by natural environment and existing living structure.Also, there are a system of ponds and canals on the plot (fig. 16, 17). The greenery that is existing in a plot was the part of a homestead park

There are some surviving buildings on the site that are on the list of cultural values and are protected by law.

In addition, during the study of the area, it was found that presumably the pre-manor park belonged to the type of classical English park.

English garden in landscape design is an object with a clearly planned structure. Its basiswalking zones, routes which allow you to observe the change of decorative objects. Their set is strictly limited. In the projected area observed the following characteristic features of the style:

- a large green lawn;

- a garden made of fruit trees or ornamental trees;

- picturesque pond.

We dare to assume that near the residential buildings there were palisades or fountains, but they have not survived.

In addition, it was found that the ponds are at different heights. Unfortunately, no information was found about the time the ponds were created or whether they were artificial/natural. Perhaps it was an attempt to recreate a Chinese or Japanese garden if there are artificial

There is a church and community center directly next to the site. There are important cultural heritage on a site, which are at a small distance from each other.

In the analyzed town, all the buildings are at a distance from each other, the ponds are also at a distance, connected only by canals. This structure can be used for future design.

Unfortunately, there are no old, saved photos of the place. The oldest photo with location is dated 1995-1999. Here we can recognize several buildings that do not exist anymore.Also, we can guess that the place was used in that time. Other aerial photographs are dated from 2005 and from that date we can recognize situation as it is right now.

1.1.3 Natural environment

Lazdijai District is home to more than 150 lakes, the largest ones being Dusia, Metelys and Seirijis. Nemunas, the largest river in Lithuania, passes through the outskirts of the district, while the BaltojiAnčia and Seira Rivers flow along the southern edge of the district. The area is rich in beautiful landscapes with 21 mounds and two regional parks, named Meteliai and Veisiejai.

The forests are of mixed types (dominant trees are larch, birch, apple tree and poplar). There is a lot of agricultural land around. The soil of the selected area consists mostly of peat, crumbly sand, and floodplain meadows. In the northwest of the territory there is a swampy area. To the north of the territory, the forest is inhabited by wild animals. There is a pond on the territory, about 5 meters deep. It was created by damming an unnamed stream (a tributary of the Mockavėlė, Kirsna river basin) 1.7 km from its mouth. The length of the pond from south-east to north-west is 0,28 km and its width up to 0,13 km. There is a 5 a island.Altitude 131,3 m. The banks are low, dry. On the southern shore there is the homestead of the former Būdvietis manor. To the east is the village of Bilvyčiai.

1.1.4 The origin of the name of the place and traditions

The are several theories about the origin of the name of the territory:

1) Būda - a forest business enterprise in Lithuania in the 15th-18th centuries. Būda were established in large forests for the preparation of forest material and chemical products (e.g. resin) for export. They employed several hundred people living in temporary buildings. Some of the techniques eventually gave rise to settlements.

2) Būda – small shelter, sometimes is using as a dog’s kennel.

1.1.5 Photo fixation

Abarn, a chapel and an animal stall have been preserved from the time of the manor.

1.1.6 Municipality expectations

The site is state land, and the plot is undeveloped. The fragments of the Būdvėtis Manor are included in the Register of Real Cultural Properties. The manor and its farmstead were established in 1589. The most valuable building is a wooden two-story barn (1803), a unique structure and a valuable example of Lithuanian folk wooden architecture. The barn is managed by the Lazdijai district municipality on a right of use.

The general plan of the territory of the municipality of Lazdijai district envisages the area as a second priority urbanized and urbanizing area, and also includes a water zone.

The site and the manor house buildings are not open to traffic. Fragments of the manor house (the part of the site located in the northern part of the road) are included in the Register of Cultural Property. The site (south side of the road) contains the Būdvėtis Nazaretiečio Jesus Church.

The municipality offers architects to develop, conceptualize and plan the site in order to create attractive and functional space(s). To design an integrated functional visual identity for the whole area. Develop layout and architectural proposals for the site, including small-scale architecture, with a view to making the site and its buildings more attractive, creating a public space attractive to tourists and residents, and adapting the natural and cultural sites to the needs of visitors (including adaptations for the disabled). Proposals for the adaptation of the territory for the organization of mass events, festivals, performances, celebrations, zoned according to use, ranging from spaces for events to spaces for individual recreation. The improvement of the manor house buildings on the site should be envisaged: the barn (which could house a center for the development of ethno-cultural identity), the chapel (which could be used for baptism and wedding ceremonies, and which could be freely accessible to visiting tourists). The pond and its surroundings are also to be adapted for recreation and leisure activities. The infrastructure of the accesses, the infrastructure of the car circulation, parking, pedestrian and bicycle paths, the small architecture and the lighting of the territory are planned.

1.1.7 Overall view of the selected territory

The place has small slope, around 5 meters in each direction. The selected plot is surrounded by private houses with a number of 1-2 stores. There are gardens in all the yards in each house. There are also buildings on the territory that are not used in any way at the moment.

SectionAAgoes from the West to East, section BB goes from the North to the South. Analyzing sections, we can see relationship between greenery and waterbodies. We can mention that the massifs of trees form a “green wall” between living private houses and the plot. The plot is surrounded by trees and buildings, that form boundaries.

1.2 Preliminary design process

1.2.1 Target audience

The target audience of the chosen area is local residence. The local residence has different youth groups, well, during project process we need to keep in mind that the place should be accessible by everyone.Also, tourists from Poland and around Lithuania will visit this place, especially during summertime while people have vacations. Also, here architects and municipality can combine the manors into a single scenario and connect them, since the distance between the buildings is not so big and potential visitors can visit all the manors in a few days.

1.2.2 Design strategy

For my experimental research I will implement such kind of strategy:

• Opinion of the locals and municipality

• Flexibility

• Questions and answers

• Create strategy

• Follow traditions

• Look for innovations

• Scenario writing

• Brainstorming

• Sketches

• Organization of design

• Best findings

1.2.3 Program

The final size of the new building is expected to be around 1300-1500 m2

Moreover, the design should have parking lots, service paths for cars, pedestrian zones, pleasant landscape design and some outdoor urban spaces (i.e. squares, amphitheaters and etc.).Also, the designed building must be accessible for people with limited mobility, must comply with the explosion and fire safety, noise protection, comply with all construction rules and regulations, fit into the surrounding development and not spoil the aesthetics of the authentic appearance of the surrounding buildings.

1.3 Concepts

The shape of the plot is almost strict with angles 30-90 degrees.Also, for built-up area I suggest to use space between saved buildings of manor (the chapel on the north and barn on the south).

This place is the best not only because of the view on pond, but it is also near entrance and the built-up area is using as connection nod for all the surrounding. I would like to preserve the existing structure of the territory, but just make it more modern and suitable for people of all social groups and ages.

Due to analyzing the territory I have find some problems or weak points of the location.

Problems:

- Inaccessible area with bushes and trees that can be removed in future (because it is not a protected forest);

- The condition of surrounded buildings is really poor;

- No documents or photos of what the estate looked like before;

- The quality of streets and sidewalks;

- No parking space for potential visitors;

- Abandoned buildings around;

- No pleasant access to waterbodies;

- There are swamps on a territory;

- Private housing is located on the territory.

So for the future design we have to make complex work to satisfy all these points and find the right solution.

1.3.1 Concept 1

The first concept has working name “traditional”. The main idea is to follow traditions of the region. First of all, the basic shape is taken and cut to smaller pieces. Then the volumes are moved and on them are putting traditional gable roof. Then we need to connect back big volumes and make them as an auxiliary spaces and entrances to the inner yard, where collective gardens will be situated.

The main principle here is to create all the places as important places, to open private zone which is represented as private 1-2 floors living houses and old ruins of the manor house. The entrance to the site is suggested to be keep as it is right now. The conceptual idea suggests creating a semi-public zone (collective gardens) for separation the building is located between the chapel and barn. The parking lot is situated near new building.Also, I suggest creating a small pier and make pond as a place for visiting.

To sum up, the main concept here can be also named as “back to base” because I suggest to use old fashioned principles but following the needs of modern people.

1.3.2 Concept 2

The second concept is called “the loop”. The main idea is to firstly take the ideal circle, but then change it to the shape of a pond (not a perfect circle), to change its volume and rotate it.Also, this shape follows a semi-circle of larch trees behind the chapel.

This concept creates an inner courtyard that can be used by visitors as a multilayer terrace. It offers a beautiful view of ponds. The roof can also be used partly as a terrace and partly as a green roof area.

Also, this kind of shape gives an architect an opportunity to bury (as an existing ice housing on a plot) a building or play with its rotation. The entrance to the site is suggested to be kept as it is right now. The conceptual idea suggests creating complicated shape that is not follow the idea of traditional ways of architecture here. The parking lot is situated on a place of abandoned building in the south-east of the plot.

1.3.3 Concept 3

The third concept is round shaped building with a ramp which is going on roof. The shape was inspired by water ways and paths of English landscape park, traces of which are still recognizable.

After the consultation with landscape specialists, I discovered that the main building most likely was standing behind the chapel. Also, there are larch trees which are standing in semi-circle. Previously manor houses were located near trees. I suggest leaving that location for new building as a symbol of previous building.

1.4 Conclusion of the analysis and summaries

The chosen topic is given a lot of opportunities for the next design.As it is a historical site, architect should think about aesthetic, historical background.

To sum up, the territory is good enough to integrate different projects and try different ideas in that territory. It is very important to include natural and landscape solutions and integrate the proposed building with them. But on the other hand, the territory is tricky because there is no saved information how it looked before.