Studio
An architecture of restraint.
Studio archive — Rīga
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Founder
“A building should say one thing, clearly, and then be silent long enough for people to live in it.”
Mels Ambrozs Founding architect
Mels Ambrozs studied architecture in Rīga and Copenhagen and worked in Oslo and Barcelona before founding the studio in 2008. His work has been exhibited in Venice, Helsinki and Tallinn.
Today the studio is a team of fourteen architects, interior designers and model-makers, working from a converted printworks on Tērbatas iela.
Four principles
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Site first
Every building starts with a long walk. Topography, light, wind and history set the rules before we draw a line.
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Few materials
We limit each project to a handful of honest materials and let them meet with precision.
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Light as structure
Openings are placed as carefully as walls. Daylight is the one ornament we allow ourselves.
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Built to age
We design for the fiftieth winter, not the opening day. Patina is part of the brief.
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Recognition
| Year | Award | Distinction | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Liepāja Maritime Museum Competition | 1st prize | Baltais Vilnis |
| 2024 | Latvian Architecture Award | Grand Prix | Kāpu Māja |
| 2024 | Dezeen Awards | Longlist — House | Ziemeļu Kabīne |
| 2023 | Mies van der Rohe Award | Nominee | Betona Pagalms |
| 2021 | Bienal de Valencia | Public pavilion | Paviljons Nº17 |