Architectural idea of the complex was formed by the same environment in which it become an integral part as a result. The system of historic urban spaces on the Dane waterfront presupposed a composition of volumes that folded in the plan, which organically interprets the curves of the river and the character of the historical urban structure. A binary architectural composition is formed, which consists of a stylobatic part with higher volumes at the ends of the complex and the linear volumes of residential buildings arranged on it. Volumes are arranged to ensure and preserve the cross-visual interaction with an exceptional historical buildings on the Northern Cape waterfront. The proposed composition of continuous interior spaces also provide views of the old town and the lagoon not only for the residents of the complex, but also for the arriving ships. The binary is also coded in the facades: the facades of the plain glass with the wooden panels behind it contrast with the textured volume structure of the residential corpus. The latter interprets the structures of Lindenau’s eling, Klaipeda-based fachwerk in its forms and texture. The screening of the end facades of the “truss” volumes are highlighted. The main balconies of the apartments are installed here in order to complete the composition of the buildings. Such a solution allows to create the image of the solid and united ensemble, even without building the volume on the southern part of the plot.
While deciding the main principles of architectural design, it was vital to maintain a clear relationship between the old and the new, avoiding simulation, leaving clear division between different elements.
Since it is the city‘s first access to the water it is full of historical features. In such a context, this complex combines a full range of functions, creative industries, recreation and entertainment. The openness of the building to the environment should be highlighted using the whole arsenal of architectural solutions: pull-in spaces on the ground floor are formed, thus expanding the waterfront area, cross-connections through the complex are provided, a semi-closed amphitheater space is created. The latter space helps to create a connection between the existing building site and the new structures, while maintaining a respectful relationship between the architectural ideologies of different eras.