OUTLOOK / PROMO
Text BY Evija PuKe - Jansone
The Feel of a Weekend Morning
The Gypsum Factory’s second stage apartments have hit the bull’s eye – architecture
and interior design of the highest class and a unique view, just a few minutes’
drive from the center of Riga. Living in this environment is like eating in a fabulous
restaurant, tasting fine wine or sipping real Italian espresso.
Every apartment is created prêt-à-porter,
which means ready for immediate
habitation; they are fully finished,
featuring furniture and accessories from
the world’s best brands. “We’ve made the
apartments such as we’d like to live in
ourselves. Everything is real – wood, stone
or brick. Every detail of the interior has
been taken into account,” says Zaiga Gaile,
one of Latvia’s most talented and
acclaimed architects.
In its entirety, the project features
58 apartments of varying size and shape
(starting at 44 m2 and up to 250 m2) – airy
lofts (some with two floors), studio-type
apartments, penthouses (a stand-alone
house on the roof of the building) as well
as four wonderful villas right on the bank
of the Daugava River, each one at a size
of 290 m2.
74 / AIRBALTIC.COM
Added Value Every Step of
the Way
The river-side building complex has
been completely rebuilt from scratch, in
coherence with the Gypsum Factory’s first
stage – the complete reconstruction of an
industrial complex – which stands right
next to it.
Views from the windows of English-type
building of the stage-one still stay in vivid
memory. The glowing lights of the Old
Town and their reflection in the river’s
water automatically placed the Factory
on the list of the world’s most romantic
and fascinating apartment complexes.
The first stage apartments were sold out
within five months. Inhabitants from
various nationalities have created a
friendly community, having barbecues and
enjoying the cultural programs held in the
Factory’s courtyard.
This time, in stage II of the Factory, the
buildings’ geographical location has been
brought into even fuller effect: notably
broad windows – in places even whole walls
made of glass, and a maximum of terraces
and balconies. In fact, you won’t find a more
impressive view of the Old Town’s panorama
than the one that can be seen from the roof
apartments of this red brick building and
river-side villas.
The Manifestation of Brick
The perimetric edifice is composed of four
different buildings, centered by a verdant
courtyard and playground. Four villas of black
brick form the river-side of the complex,
functioning as three-story private houses
with autonomous two-sided entryways and
a separate lift from the underground parking
OUTLOOK / PROMO
garage. Similar buildings lie parallel to Ogļu
Street, but each of these are divided into
three smaller apartments.
The red brick building of the complex brings
to mind a ship, and fits in with the location’s
harbor theme. Across the way stands a
yellowish brick building with an industrial
facade, representing the factory it once
contained. Although it wasn’t possible to
authentically reconstruct it, historical effects
were implemented, such as the original
windows, doors with decorative wooden
paneling and a concrete domed ceiling on
the first floor.
Bricks of various hues – not painted, but
specially fired and processed in a factory in
Belgium – were used in the construction of
the buildings. The black bricks have been
not only used in the facades, but also boldly
feature in the interiors of the apartments
on Ogļu Street, creating an effect of the
facade’s continuation into the interior and
adding a taste of an industrial atmosphere.
“The black brick walls are like velvet, they
absorb lights and shadows, and form
delicate interior nuances. The white ceiling
panels, the built-in kitchen and various
design accessories will ensure contrast,” is
how the architect describes the functional
role of the finish. Other interiors of the
complex also sporadically exhibit expressive
red and white brick walls.
A distinctly architectural experience can
be had in the exclusive penthouse on the
roof of the red ship building. The structure’s
cylindrical shape organizes every-day life
here in a circular motion, breaking down all
preconceived notions of a typical floor-plan.
The interior is an ode to Riga’s panorama,
which can be seen in its entirety from
practically every spot in the penthouses.
Maximum Comfort
Almost all of the apartments have opposing
outside walls, so that they receive both
morning and evening sunlight, creating the
wonderful effect of throwing both light and
shadows on the exotic Brazilian cherry and
African walnut flooring.
The interiors feature modern, slightly
spartan furniture from such design grands
as Cassina, Alia, Vitra and Bonaldo. It fits
in with the conceptual character of the
lofts, but won’t oppose a piece of vintagestyle furniture, either. For organizational
optimization, large shelving units and walkin closets have been provided. Practitioners
of active forms of relaxation will be grateful
for the separate storage spaces, while
owners of private libraries will appreciate
the built-in bookshelves; in the case of the
villas, they are built next to the staircase,
providing easy access to every shelf.
The kitchens have been created as true
gastronomic laboratories and take center
stage in the modern living spaces. They
are outfitted with the best offerings of
time-tested, outstanding brands such as
Bulthaup, Poggenpohl and Boffi: largescale refrigerators, extra-large dishwashers
and the most powerful cooker hoods.
Little extras abound, like built-in coffee
machines, wine racks and even a television
that lets you combine the practical with the
pleasurable.
The best of German traditions and
craftsmanship can be found in the
bathrooms’ Donrbracht brand water
dispensers and Keramag and Duravit
sanitary fixtures. In accordance with
the latest trends in sanitary facilities,
uncharacteristic, specially processed
moisture-proof materials such as stone,
artificial stone panels and brick have been
used in place of the usual tile.
Technophiles will be pleased by the
functionality of the apartments, which
feature automated lighting, thermostats
and outdoor shades. Thanks to heated glass,
comfortable relaxation in a bathtub next to
a glass wall will be a joy even in winter.
To ensure that the inhabitants enjoy
a comfortable and stress-free life, the
developer will provide decidedly untypical
services – dry cleaning, apartament
cleaning and even firewood delivery for
fireplaces, restaurant-table reservations and
calling for taxis.
countryside, or at the least, a small-town
feeling, instead of its true location in the
center of Riga. “Everything is green and
blooming; the cherry trees in the gardens
are full of fruit”, is how the architect Zaiga
Gaile, who lives in Ķīpsala herself, describes
her feelings. It’s quite unbelievable that in
just five minutes, you’re over the bridge and
in the crowds of the Old Town!
Just like the old factories, some of the old
wooden buildings are getting a second
chance at life – a great restaurant has
opened within the territory of the Factory,
with a summer terrace right on the water’s
edge. The area also features a dock for
yachts and the city’s largest swimming
pool is nearby, as is the spa and fitness
complex. A bit further is a shopping center
and a skyscraper devoted to banking, next
to which even newer, excessive high-rises
are being erected. In addition, Ķīpsala’s
historical buildings have been classified as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. BO
Not Riga, But a Small-Town
Ķīpsala island, area, where Gypsum Factory
is located, is a place of success stories –
deals of the century are forged here,
foreigners are taken on visits, emotional
feelings are revealed and proposals for
engagement are made. Situations take
on a life of their own – peacefully and
unhurriedly. The nearness of the river, with
its cries of gulls and yacht dock, brings a
feeling of weekend mornings.
In the previous centuries, Ķīpsala was known
as both a fishermen’s village with low-story
wooden buildings, and as an industrialized
part of the city. It has seen a renaissance
in the last ten years, attracting people
with its unique view of the Old Town, its
wooden buildings, cobble-stone streets and
green zones. These create an aura of the
Information:
The territory: developed, landscaped and
enclosed, with 24-hour security and an
underground garage with space for 80 cars.
Completion date: end of 2012. Demo-versions
of four fully-furnished apartments will be
available for viewing at the end of this year.
Apartment and villa reservations:
SIA “Ģipša Fabrika”
Baznīcas iela 20/22
Riga, LV- 1143
Tel: +371 29 44 00 33
E-mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.gipsafabrika.lv
BALTIC OUTLOOK / AUGUST 2011 / 75