The building seeks purification and is a place where sunrises and sunsets can be seen. It is minimalist and supplements the horizon of the sea. It is a place for clear thoughts and the ability to concentrate on what is essential. The building is organic between the sea, the skies and the rocks. The thinking of architect Zaiga Gaile means that the building is a global jewel of architecture that has attracted attention from all around the world.
In 2005, Zaiga and Māris Gailis purchased a crumbling Soviet-era building in Kaltene. The building was located on an artificial peninsula stone breakwater 300 metres from the shore. During the Soviet era, the building was intended to be a pumping station for a salmon cannery, but was never used for that purpose. The couple transformed the building into the “Easter Island” weekend house, and for a decade it has been seen as one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in the world.
The "Nautilus" swimming hall is behind the main building and on the beach. It is finished with stainless steel and looks like a submarine. There is a sauna in the hall.
In front of the house is a helicopter landing pad with a concrete slab surface.
A yacht port has been established next to Easter Island, which is registered in the international register of ports as a private seasonal yacht port.
Port coordinates:
latitude: 57 degrees 27 minutes 06 seconds N
longitude: 22 degrees 54 minutes 08 seconds E
"This is a very special place, and I can compare it to a museum or a temple. The island is surrounded by the sea, which excites me and creates the special feeling that I am not on the shoreline, but also not aboard a ship. I'm somewhere in the middle of the sea."
The layout of the building
The building has three parts. At the centre is a big hall, which has a two-storey flat for the owners at one end, and then four two-storey guest flats at the other end.
Floor:
1. 2.
Click on a room to learn more.
-
Garage
Garage
The garage has 43 m2 of floor space, with plenty of space for two cars.
-
1st floor living room
1st floor living room
The main living room has 152 m2 of floor space and is divided up into a leisure zone with a cosy fireplace, a working zone with a large and comfortable table, and a kitchen zone.
1st floor living room
The main living room has 152 m2 of floor space and is divided up into a leisure zone with a cosy fireplace, a working zone with a large and comfortable table, and a kitchen zone.
1st floor living room
The main living room has 152 m2 of floor space and is divided up into a leisure zone with a cosy fireplace, a working zone with a large and comfortable table, and a kitchen zone.
1st floor living room
The main living room has 152 m2 of floor space and is divided up into a leisure zone with a cosy fireplace, a working zone with a large and comfortable table, and a kitchen zone.
-
2nd floor bedroom
2nd floor bedroom
The owners’ bedroom has floor space of 28 m2, offering a lovely view of the sunrise in the morning and then wonderful views of the sunset in the evening.
2nd floor bedroom
The owners’ bedroom has floor space of 28 m2, offering a lovely view of the sunrise in the morning and then wonderful views of the sunset in the evening.
2nd floor bedroom
The owners’ bedroom has floor space of 28 m2, offering a lovely view of the sunrise in the morning and then wonderful views of the sunset in the evening.
2nd floor bedroom
The owners’ bedroom has floor space of 28 m2, offering a lovely view of the sunrise in the morning and then wonderful views of the sunset in the evening.
-
Kitchen zone
Kitchen zone
In the kitchen zone combined with the living room, the very latest domestic appliances are installed to make the running of the house as smooth as possible
Kitchen zone
In the kitchen zone combined with the living room, the very latest domestic appliances are installed to make the running of the house as smooth as possible
Kitchen zone
In the kitchen zone combined with the living room, the very latest domestic appliances are installed to make the running of the house as smooth as possible
Kitchen zone
In the kitchen zone combined with the living room, the very latest domestic appliances are installed to make the running of the house as smooth as possible
-
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
Leisure zone with a fireplace
Here you will feel most cosy in enjoying leisure with elegant design furniture, an authentic fireplace that can be moved around, or a television set.
-
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
-
4 guest flats with bedrooms on the 2nd floor
4 guest flats with bedrooms on the 2nd floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
4 guest flats with working areas on the 1st floor
There are four two-storey guest flats in the building, two of which have a floor space of 27 m2, while the other two have 32 m2 of floor space, where guests will feel undisturbed. There is a work room on the first floor and a bedroom on the second floor.
-
“Nautilus” swimming hall
“Nautilus” swimming hall
The two-story swimming hall has floor space of 52 m2, and is comparable to an underwater structure. It offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a sauna, with an outdoor balcony that offers a view of the sea. There is a bathtub on the balcony.
“Nautilus” swimming hall
The two-story swimming hall has floor space of 52 m2, and is comparable to an underwater structure. It offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a sauna, with an outdoor balcony that offers a view of the sea. There is a bathtub on the balcony.
“Nautilus” swimming hall
The two-story swimming hall has floor space of 52 m2, and is comparable to an underwater structure. It offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a sauna, with an outdoor balcony that offers a view of the sea. There is a bathtub on the balcony.
“Nautilus” swimming hall
The two-story swimming hall has floor space of 52 m2, and is comparable to an underwater structure. It offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a sauna, with an outdoor balcony that offers a view of the sea. There is a bathtub on the balcony.
-
Residential space for personnel
Residential space for personnel
The building manager and other members of staff have a residential area with a separate entrance.
Overall territory
Crosscut
Information about the project
The house has a garage for two cars, the manager’s flat above the garage, five bedrooms (one master bedroom and four guest rooms), five work rooms (one in the manager’s flat and four in the guest rooms), and a living room with a kitchen and leisure zone.
Design: 2006 – reconstruction of fish farm pumping station
Construction: 2007–2010
Construction company: SIA “PS Serviss”
Land: 10.067 m2
Floor space of weekend home: 514.2 m2
Floor space of swimming hall: 52.45 m2
Village of Kaltene, Roja Parish, Talsi District
Architects: Zaiga Gaile and Agnese Sirmā
Client: Māris Gailis
Technical specifications
Electricity
- Three-phase cable with 120 A of power.
- Back-up 32 kW power generator that switches on automatically.
- A diesel fuel lighthouse (1 m3) ensuring generator operation for one week.
- Permission to use excise-free diesel fuel.
Communications
- “Lattelecom” optic cable, telephone, high-speed Internet connection, interactive TV.
- Security and fire alarm system, as well as video surveillance.
- Connection to “Evor” security control panel and a rapid response security base 8 km away.
Water
- Delivery from a 60-m artesian well. Usage of 3 l/sec.
- Equipment that mechanically filters water, decontaminates it from various metallic impurities, as well as softening it.
Heat and hot water
- A 40 kW heat pump.
- Hot water pipes in the floor.
- Hot water prepared with the heating pump and, during the summer, solar panels, with the panels supporting heating during the spring and the autumn, thus reducing electricity consumption.
- Hot water in the sauna prepared with an electric heater.
Sewage
- Biological purification system that pumps purified water on the island.
Ventilation
- Natural ventilation in each room, mechanical ventilation in lavatories.
- Air flows into the living room along a 100 m underground pipeline, heating up during the winter and cooling down during the summer.
Location
Kaltene is a village in the Roja Administrative District by the sea. It is located on the western shore of the Gulf of Riga, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Kaltene is 119 km from Riga and 7 km from the nearest town, Roja. Kaltene beach is a unique place, where one can relax undisturbed throughout the year. In winter, Kaltene beach is especially quiet – one rarely encounters holidaymakers here, and in summer it is a true leisure oasis. The fresh sea air and view of the broad horizon generate a sense of freedom than one cannot enjoy in the big city.
Gallery
Exterior
The "Nautilus" swimming hall
Interior
Leisure zone
Interior
Kitchen zone
Interior
Master flat and guest flats
