It’s been 10 years, since DOME Hotel, redeveloped dwelling house of the 17th – 19th century, was opened in Old Riga, Miesnieku street 4.

The hotel (rooms and restaurant) 'blends' within the existing structure of the building, preserving its historical substance, wall finish, windows, doors and details. A new Vertical Garden and a new four-storey extension are arranged in the courtyard.

During these years, the hotel has gained recognition and discreet reputation for local and foreign guests as restrained and charming space. The hotel has been enjoyed by businessman and top officials from all over the world; hosted those seeking for quiet romance, and also being chosen by such an icons as Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails.

The building is the architectural monument of State importance and is a part of the Archaeology complex. Although the building itself is dated around 17th-19th century, there are basement structures discovered from 15th-16th century. When we started research works, we unveiled a significant number of artistic finishes on 1st and 2nd floor of the building.

Therefore, the concept of reconstruction was created as follows:

- By maintaining the existing wall network and historical finishes, create 15 apartments of the hotel and design them (especially bathrooms) imperceptibly “infiltrating” into the existing structure of the building. Lime plaster with white veneer performs as a leitmotiv, highlighting individual historical fragments of paint. Important aspect was daylight in every room.

- Division between 4th and 5th floor was reshaped and lowered, achieving larger spaces in the attic. The existing roof structures are exposed in the interior thanks to the fact that another, double-roofed roof structure is placed on the existing one, hiding insulation and tiling. Therefore 14 full sets of roof tendrils in the Room 501 could be saved, including the damaged tightenings. Also, in rooms, located in 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor, we managed to keep the original ceiling shape and height.

- A separate ventilation system was established for each floor, assessing the quality and historical values of each room.

- A green wall, vertical garden, was created in the courtyard.

Similar approach has also been carried out in ad adjacent building on Miesnieku street 6, where the hotel will be extended with the connecting element, a bridge between buildings on the 2nd floor level. Principle of conversion of existing rooms – reuse of existing materials.

More pictures and experiences:
Web: www.domehotel.lv
Instagram: www.instagram.com/domehotelriga

Design / Construction / Supervision : 2005-2009

Bureau: Reinis Liepins / Sudraba Arhitektūra
Team: Reinis Liepiņš, Ilze Liepiņa, Ainārs Plankājs, Roberts Valdmanis, Normunds Kagainis, Rihards Vietriņš. Interior: Reinis Liepiņš, Ieva Leja, Renāte Pablaka.
Photo credits: (c) Sudraba Arhitektūra
Client: “Dome Hotel"