The house of Tulpė cooperative and Ragutis residential house were two architectural objects of the early Lithuanian interwar period, which probably best represented the “folk style” in the temporary capital. Having said that, Ragutis tried to convey its ethnic spirit through non-Baroque forms, whereas Tulpė looked for inspiration in folk art. The popularity of similar architectural solutions was definitely increased by folk art explorers and supporters. They were convinced that “national style” foundation represented folk art, since “a nation’s spirit and its ethnic originality occur mainly in folk works”. Tulpė cooperative’s house was designed in 1925. The concept of building’s architectural aesthetics was clearly based on historical ornamentation discourse, since traditional historical details are replaced by stylised Lithuanian art ideas. Ledges, cornices, window and door edges are designed according to the distinctive picture of “nationalism” held in the architecture’s mind.

Vaidas Petrulis