Located on the south bank of the Nemunas River, Nemunaičiai is an emerging neighbourhood being planned in multiple phases by developer SBA Urban. Catalysed by a pedestrian bridge that is soon to connect to Kaunas’ historic city centre, the new neighbourhood is notable for its mixed-use, urban qualities. Until now, this side of the river has been characterised by industrial uses along the riverbank – some of which are replaced by the new neighbourhood – and the sprawling, suburban Aleksotas district. Nemunaičiai therefore represents a critical moment in the development of Kaunas, as the city’s urban core expands to the other side of the river.

Tvistas sits on the north-west of Nemunaičiai’s second phase, next to the buildings of the first phase and close to the soon-to-be-built pedestrian bridge. The design features a plinth containing restaurants, cafés, and shops. A sweeping curve along one corner of this plinth invites pedestrians into the neighbourhood via a plaza, which features at its centre a reminder of the site’s industrial heritage in the form of a historic water tower. The roof of the plinth slopes down towards this curved corner, creating a tribune staircase. This tribune provides access to the public green roof of the plinth; split into public and private sections, this green roof provides a playground and communal garden for the residents, while the public portion includes a café terrace and a viewpoint by the river. The tribune also makes the building a centrepiece for the community, providing a place to relax and look out at the water and, in summer, a way to activate the plaza, with a ready-made grandstand from which to watch events.