The New York-based platform Architizer, which manages submissions from over 80 countries and receives thousands of architectural projects annually, recently recognized the work of the Lithuanian studio “arches.” This award represents a notable acknowledgment, extending recognition both to the project’s creators and to the broader Lithuanian architecture community. The winning complex was intentionally named “SANCTUM,” a term derived from Latin meaning sanctuary, shelter, or safe place. The core concept behind the design was the creation of an environment where individuals could disengage from the pervasive stimuli of modern life.
The authors aimed to establish a refuge—a physical space that offered respite from the constant pace, digital screens, and informational saturation characterizing contemporary existence. According to Arūnas Liola, one of the project’s architects, the current state of architecture is increasingly valuing designs that promote deceleration rather than spectacle. He noted that contemporary design should function to ground the occupant rather than attempt to overwhelm or dominate.
This philosophy positions the work as a deliberate counterpoint to modern sensory overload. The success of this lithuanian endeavor highlights a growing global trend in architecture that emphasizes mindful experience. The emphasis is placed not on sheer technological novelty, but on fostering a restorative connection with nature and tranquility.
Topics: #lithuanian #architecture #not
