Set amid the pine-laden outskirts of Jūrmala, Latvia, Villa Guna stands as a contemporary statement of light and verticality. Conceived in the early 2000s by Meinhard von Gerkan of the German practice GMP, the residence occupies 635 sqm on a sloping site that opens toward the Baltic forest. Its most eye-catching feature is a 15-metre observation tower that pierces the canopy, offering a secluded platform that hovers above the treetops. The house’s white façade is wrapped by sweeping, curved balconies that echo the surrounding woodlands, while the overall layout follows a crisp U-shape, deliberately oriented south to maximise forest views.
Form and setting
The architectural logic of Villa Guna is rooted in a dialogue between structure and nature. The U-shaped plan creates a semi-enclosed courtyard that frames the forest horizon, allowing sunlight to spill into interior spaces from multiple angles. Curved balconies, clad in a seamless white skin, glide around the perimeter, providing shaded terraces that blend indoor and outdoor experiences. Rising from the roof, the 15-metre tower acts as both a visual beacon and a functional observation deck, reachable via a discreet staircase that continues the building’s graceful lines. From this height, occupants can gaze over the pine canopy, experiencing the Baltic landscape in an almost cinematic perspective.
Interior flow and leisure spaces
Inside, the house unfolds across a series of split levels linked by gentle ramps and stairways, encouraging a fluid movement reminiscent of the surrounding hills. Daylight pours from a central skylight, cascading down through the vertical core and illuminating each tier. The main living area spans two levels, anchored by an open fireplace and framed by expansive windows that dissolve the barrier between interior and forest. A curved internal balcony mirrors the exterior’s rhythm, offering a perch to admire the view from within. On the lower tier, a luxurious indoor swimming pool is bordered with turquoise glass mosaic, while a sunken hot tub nestles beside it, creating a spa-like retreat that contrasts the crisp, white architecture with vibrant colour.
Awards, protection and market status
Villa Guna’s design quickly garnered international attention, earning the International Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum in 2008. Two decades later, the Latvian register of state-protected cultural monuments added the villa to its list in 2023, recognizing the building as a significant work of contemporary architecture that enriches the nation’s built heritage. Despite its protected status, the residence remains on the market; the original owner is offering the three-bedroom home for sale, with price available on request. Adjacent listings highlight the region’s appeal, such as a timber cabin just outside Stockholm priced at $260,000, underscoring the growing demand for architecturally distinctive retreats in the Baltic area.
