STRUCTUM: "Duonos Kalnas" – a creative manifesto in the hills of Vilnius

Good news for those seeking a unique home: the first stage of construction for the individual housing development „Duonos kalnas“ in the hills of Vilnius has been completed. This project serves as a creative manifesto, revealing both the courage of personality and a refined sense of aesthetics.

"Together with the architects, we can offer a distinctive yet rational individual home with long-lasting architectural and engineering solutions. But just as important are the neighbors. That’s why one of the core principles in developing “Duonos kalnas” was not a stand-alone project but a full residential community—where the overall vision and the individually anticipated needs of future residents and the wider community were carefully considered,” says Paulius Lavrukaitis, partner at Bolds Property Partners, the creators behind “Duonos kalnas.” He emphasizes that the vision of a good, high-quality home includes several elements, including its surroundings and community.

"The Lithuanian construction sector is seeing a rise in investment in innovative architecture. We are saying goodbye to identical, dull buildings and the remnants of the Soviet era. The new wave of architecture connects the past with the present and future, brings freshness to the environment, and reflects modern trends. “Duonos kalnas” is a prime example of this positive shift," says Juliana Stanišauskienė, project sales manager at NU:MO, representing the project's developer.

A Residential Quarter of Cohesive Architecture

The “Duonos kalnas” development is a thoughtfully designed blend of concrete, aluminum, and wood that naturally merges with the surrounding landscape.

The A++ energy-rated homes offer universally planned, highly functional layouts that cater to the needs of most families. The homes are sold either unfinished or partially finished – allowing each to become a unique structure full of originality and inspiration.

Windows are oriented to ensure privacy while maximizing views of the hilly terrain. Each home includes a geothermal heating system and other sustainable solutions.

Spacious plots (8 to 13 ares) feature retaining concrete walls, stairways, and architectural details that seamlessly blend with both the house and the landscape. The shared space will include automatic entrance gates with powered mechanisms, video-intercom entry gates, and lighting along the paved access road.

The neighborhood's urban layout was also meticulously planned – from using the terrain's natural slopes to shape the plots creatively to the integration of greenery – everything is designed to highlight and preserve nature while offering functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces.

A Neighborhood with Architectural Character

“Designing a residential neighborhood is not difficult. The real challenge is designing one with character—where buildings and surroundings strike a balance between distinctiveness and rationality and add long-term value,”says architect Dominykas Kalmatavičius from the architecture firm “G. Natkevičius ir partneriai.”
“The expressive topography and natural surroundings of the “Duonos kalnas” site provided both inspiration and challenges. From the very first sketches, we envisioned sculptural yet soft and minimalist forms, like boulders organically settled into the terrain.”

The architects aimed to avoid unnecessary details or over-complicated compositions.

“The buildings are essentially D-shaped volumes. One floor faces one direction, the other floor another. This simple twist creates various angles of view. Even though the houses follow a consistent architectural language, the neighborhood does not feel monotonous. It creates intrigue. In our view, clean, pure forms reveal themselves best in nature, where the contrast highlights both the human-made and the natural," adds Kalmatavičius.

Though “Duonos kalnas” isn’t in a forest or field, it’s located in a rapidly developing part of Vilnius surrounded by buildings of various styles. This makes the neighborhood’s tranquility and conceptual unity stand out and elevate the overall area's value.

Though private and enclosed, the plots within the community avoid traditional fencing.
“We chose low hornbeam hedges and various greenery to maintain the natural, green character of the location and avoid rigid boundaries. The buildings themselves are also oriented in a way that maximizes privacy while maintaining openness,” the architect explains.

The home interiors emphasize space and light.
Priority was given to an open-plan first-floor space – a living area with dining and kitchen – connected to the second floor via sculptural stairs. Curved walls soften and define the space while allowing for practical and efficient bedroom layouts.

The exterior expression follows a principle of contrast – combining natural, textured materials with sleek, reflective surfaces. For example, classic vertical-facing klinker bricks form a relief pattern by alternating between recessed and protruding surfaces – evoking the texture of tree bark, in contrast to the smooth glass and metal.

Custom Brickwork with Unique Structure and Form

The developers and architects selected Belgian-made “Wienerberger” TERCA Tolus Tan Grijs ECO RF façade bricks for their rough, unpolished, matte surface, handmade character, and ideal fit with the project’s aesthetic.
By slicing the bricks into tiles of varying thickness, a 3D façade pattern was achieved.

TERCA bricks come in a wide range of colors – from deep browns to light reds, yellows, and whites – and offer diverse textures and special corner and shaped options for original designs inside and out.

According to Wienerberger’s Lithuanian office, this broad selection allowed the team to find the perfect match for the project.
As one of the world’s leading ceramic materials producers, Wienerberger prioritizes high-efficiency, eco-friendly construction solutions, all meeting international quality standards.

Cutting-Edge Insulation for Comfort

The “Duonos kalnas” homes use Ceresit Ceretherm Ceramic – an advanced exterior insulation system designed for variable climates, offering durability and easy maintenance for optimal indoor comfort.

According to Arūnas Mingaila, Ceresit’s representative in Lithuania, EU regulations require certified insulation systems – and Ceresit Ceretherm meets those standards.
Its advantage lies in its Fibre Force technology, which uses a 3D matrix of reinforcing fibers for stronger adhesion and reduced microcracks under seasonal temperature shifts.

This system supports the project’s goals for authentic design, high quality, and long-lasting appearance, perfectly complementing the premium Belgian façade bricks.

Striking Glass Façades as a Defining Feature

The design, production, and installation of the glass façade elements were entrusted to Tranela, a specialist in the field.

“We are a small but professional team, always attentive to client needs and always looking for the best solution,”says company head Raimondas Bartkevičius.

The chosen system – ALUPROF MB-SR50N EFEKT – allows factory-fabricated aluminum profiles and fastening elements to be assembled on-site. The structural glazing uses silicone-filled joints without visible caps, creating a sleek, seamless look.

Main doors and windows were designed with ALUPROF MB-86N, and sliding terrace doors with ALUPROF MB-77HS, including anti-intrusion systems and enhanced insulation versions.

All operable parts are built flush into the façade, preserving visual continuity.
A key requirement was ensuring visual uniformity between transparent and opaque glass sections, which required custom solutions with the glass supplier, including internal surface coatings to manage heat retention and light reflection.

Technical Challenges, Unique Solutions

Although the façade appears seamless, the project required complex custom integration of curved and flat surfaces, especially at intersections and endpoints. Each component was tailored exclusively for this project.

PROJECT: “Duonos kalnas” – A Unique Individual Home Community

Duonos Kalno g., Fabijoniškės, Vilnius
Developer: Bolds Property Partners
Architects: G. Natkevičius ir partneriai – Gintautas Natkevičius & Dominykas Kalmatavičius
Sales Representative: NU:MO