Sanctum
Sanctum
Away from the noise of the city – a place where everything slows and settles.
Surrounded by raw, uncultivated nature, quiet architecture is created to help one slow down, feel, and simply be. A slow way of life, time spent in the fresh forest air, genuine human connection, and the sharing of experiences are the core aspirations of this project.
Sanctum is a contemporary retreat in nature, designed for people who value authentic connection, subtle sensory experiences, and unhurried presence—free from “screen noise” and commercial manipulation. Here, attention is returned to fundamental human needs: nature, emotion, and perception. The group of buildings is conceived as a safe refuge—a camp immersed in the natural landscape.
- Location
- Bezdonys, Vilniaus r.
- Purpose
- Recreational
- Authors
- Arūnas Liola
- Greta Gulbinskė
- Photography
- Leonas Garbačiauskas
The familiar silhouette of a traditional rural building is transformed by vertical extension. Shifting proportions and rhythm enter into a dialogue with the silhouettes of the treetops. Sunlight filtering through the buildings creates a living interplay of light and shadow, constantly changing and moving across the architectural volume. In the evening, as artificial lighting is introduced, the interior spaces reveal themselves—the buildings begin to glow like large lanterns at the forest edge.
A conscious effort was made to create a wide variety of spaces with distinct characters and multiple opportunities to spend time outdoors. Central to this idea is the semi-covered inner courtyard, partially sheltered by coffered timber structures with glazing that allows natural light to enter. This space hosts outdoor activities such as exercise sessions, yoga practices, and other communal programs.
The inner courtyard is directly connected to the main space of the complex—a transformable hall. This elevated space is filled with natural light and features panoramic glazing opening toward the forest edge. When needed, it can be divided into two smaller halls by an acoustic partition, with separate access points and direct exits to the courtyard.
Being in nature here means authenticity in every aspect. It is a place where everything can be touched and leaned against, where the emotional presence of wood can be truly felt. This is not decoration, but genuine wooden architecture. Pine timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are used throughout. Inside, the wood is softly whitewashed; on the exterior, naturally weathering, ecologically modified pine (using Kebony technology) is left untreated, requiring no additional maintenance. The timber is complemented by natural copper cladding, polished concrete, glass, and aluminum window frames.
