The Konrāds Quarter in Cēsis possesses countless layers of time and history characteristic of an old town. These could be perceived as significant constraints. Yet, here, these limitations have provided an opportunity to create a fresh, high-quality architectural space that complements the historic environment and infuses it with new energy.
The architecture of the Konrāds Quarter is remarkably honest. Historic elements within the old buildings have been masterfully preserved and highlighted, while the new - represented by the newly constructed "Draugu Nams" (Friends' House) - is clearly added as a layer of our own time. It integrates seamlessly with the scale and spatial logic of the old town’s built environment. The tones and textures of the cast-in-place concrete allow the building’s volume to blend into the historic context, harmonising diverse historical styles and architectural languages into a unified narrative.
The synergy between the open galleries, roof terraces, and the green courtyard, set against the backdrop of the quarter’s multi-layered architecture, is striking. The courtyard draws visitors in like a magnet with its natural appeal, while the roof terrace offers expansive views of the Cēsis Castle Park.
This is a beautiful example of how contemporary architecture can be simultaneously new, historic, and even ancient—above all, it speaks to and of its own time.
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Do you remember such a trend as Throwback Thursdays? Yeah, we also haven't seen this for a while. But that doesn't. mean that we can't dust it off and bring it back into the light. So here it is - OUTOFBOX' Throwback Thursday!
We wanted to throw you back to 2021. To the KIMMEL competition, which we never published. We were not among the winners; we were exhausted, maybe a bit pissed. We never received the jury's verdict - quite a typical thing in Latvian architecture, so we didn't know - what was good or what was bad. And there were some other big projects on the plate and... yeah, KIMMEL was left on the shelf.
So... 5 years later - we received a building permit for another industrial site, another brewery - Radošā rūpnīca Veldze! And time and time again, we started to look back on what we did with KIMMEL. And with each day, the feeling grew stronger - GOD DAMN! THAT WAS ONE NICE PROJECT!
This feeling got stronger and stronger, especially after several visits to KIMMEL. You might know that the proposed office development hasn't come to life. It's just a bunch of small, vibrant cafes and restaurants. And our vision of the space between the buildings would blend in perfectly.
And, yes, it's THURSDAY. And we're throwing in our competition proposal for KIMMEL QUARTER. Less focus on buildings, more attention to the space between them. Fewer square meters, more quality of each space. Less generic block architecture, more nuanced volumes on different levels, following existing topography.
Design team: OUTOFBOX Architecture + Landshape + IE.LA inženieri. Year: 2021
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Konrāds Quarter - 1 of 16 finalists. The continuation of memories - that's the motto for this year's Latvian Architecture Award. And we nailed it - look into the future of the past - that's the motto of Mājas Cēsīs project! Fingers crossed till october - that's when the international jury will arrive and make their decision and name the winners.
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Another day, another piece of good news - On Tuesday, the winners of the best projects competition were awarded at the annual Baltic Real Estate (RT) Investment Forum, organised by Verslo žinios.
At the twelfth Baltic Real Estate Awards, experts evaluated the residential, office, retail, industrial, hotel and conversion projects completed last year.
Thank you, Magdelēnas kvartāls, for your trust in us! And being such a wonderful place to be.
More info: www.vz.lt/statyba-ir-nt/2026/06/02/apdovanoti-geriausi-baltijos-saliu-nt-projektai-585587
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Architecturally, the building harmoniously fits into the urban fabric of Old Riga, with a façade defined by historical materials and details, including a dolomite portal, wooden doors, decorative finishes, and a rhythmic window composition. Inside, restored features - wooden staircases, panelling, tiles, and wall paintings - create a cohesive spatial narrative that merges historical substance with contemporary functionality.LA 183. Nams Mārstaļu ielā 6 ir atguvis vēsturisko pievilcību. Gadsimtu uzslāņojums kārtu pa kārtai saudzīgi atsegts, atsijājot nevērtīgo un atstājot tikai to, kas patiesi būtisks. Vecrīgas nams augstuma un apjoma ziņā iekļaujas ielas kopējā apbūves ritmā. Fasādē nolasāmi trīs stāvi ar mansarda jumtu, skatam slēpts mūra pagrabs ar velvēm un augsti bēniņi ar koka sijām. Latvijas Nacionālajam rakstniecības un mūzikas muzejam ar tik lielu krājumu šis ir visai pieticīgs apjoms, taču tieši šaurības dēļ radošajai komandai nācās meklēt oriģinālus risinājumus ekspozīcijas koncepcijas realizēšanai. Tas kļuvis par vienu no atraktīvākajiem muzejiem Latvijā. Autori arhitektu birojs Krasts, OUTOFBOX Architecture, Anna Heinrihsone u.c Plašāk Inara Appena, Ansis Starks
Architecturally, the building harmoniously fits into the urban fabric of Old Riga, with a façade defined by historical materials and details, including a dolomite portal, wooden doors, decorative finishes, and a rhythmic window composition. Inside, restored features - wooden staircases, paneling, tiles, and wall paintings - create a cohesive spatial narrative that merges historical substance with contemporary functionality.
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