Following Vitruvius: Thoughtful Spaces by Barbara Bula Arhitekti

What were your first projects, and how did they shape your path in architecture?

My initial projects were basic layout drawings for gas stations — not particularly creative work. Soon after, I was invited to work at "Vincents Būvniecība," developing some impressively large-scale projects. There, I was thrown into an environment where a fourth-year student may not fully understand what needs to be done, but it was an invaluable learning experience. Sometimes it's even more beneficial to learn what not to do than only to focus on what to do. At 25, I was already managing projects and working alongside German architect Meinhard von Gerkan, whom I consider one of my mentors.

Later, while working with another studio led by Rudolfs Dainis Šmits, I handled even more expansive projects, including a hotel in Old Riga, where the Pullman Hotel is now located. It was my first significant project, which required collaboration with engineers and multiple teams.

My first independent project was a five-star spa in a historic building in the Hotel Latvia quarter. Our team was truly international, with guest designers from Ireland and engineers from Sweden, Norway, and the UK, along with local architects. It was a learning opportunity and a fresh perspective—a chance to see beyond the local market.

How do you achieve harmony between functionality and aesthetics in your projects?

We consider this balance from the beginning, finding synergy between both components early on. If we look at a building only from the perspective of how it will appear in an architecture magazine, we might face unresolved issues that are hard to fix later. There are three essential elements: durability, functionality, and beauty—we call them our "holy trinity."

This approach is closely tied to our work with architecture and interior design. When working on projects like theatres, schools, or libraries, one must have a complete vision of how they fit together, inside and out. Architects have a highly developed sense of spatial thinking, and it wouldn't make sense to focus only on the façade without considering the building's "internal organs." Architects design spaces that are three-dimensional, and all elements work together.

Sometimes, a client hires you just for the exterior and another professional for the interior, leading to discrepancies in the final outcome. Many architects design interiors because they know how to connect the inside with the outside seamlessly. Louis I. Kahn once said, "Architecture is the thoughtful making of spaces. It is the creating of spaces that evoke a feeling of appropriate use," which also resonates with our philosophy.

What sparks your creativity? Can you walk us through your imaginative process, from the initial idea to the further stages of the project?

Inspiration comes when you're not preoccupied with other things. Inspiration needs space. I must clear my mind, disconnect from other issues, and I find that nature helps me. There's a place in Latvia where I go regularly to "air out" my mind. Sometimes, inspiration hits out of the blue — a sudden realization of how things should be done. But usually, it's more about concentration and focusing on a specific goal. The more you concentrate, the more precise the result becomes.

Aesthetically, it's hard to separate yourself from everything happening in the world — there's so much out there. I love traveling, which is a source of inspiration for me. Ideas can come from completely unrelated things, and the concept starts forming in your mind. Once you have that concept, it's easier to shape it into space, to build around it. You know the rationale behind your actions, which helps you confidently communicate your vision to others.

How do you perceive the current state of architecture in Latvia, and what are your thoughts on its future development?

Latvian architecture heavily depends on investments, especially from abroad. The most visible projects are large residential areas, offices, banks, and public buildings funded by the state. Many projects are still just ideas waiting for funding. I'd like that funding to come through, allowing us to create more. An architect can't always realize their vision due to financial limitations. It would be great to see beautiful and functional architecture bloom in the country, creating spaces where people want to stay and feel at the center of the world.