The House of Architect Antanas Jokimas

Address: Kauno m. sav., Kauno m., Minties Rato g. 2 / Vydūno al. 17

The house of A. Jokinas is one of the most unique wooden buildings of the 1910s in Kaunas. It is interesting to note that the building stands in the place, where a fragment of Kaunas urban expansion plan was executed. The plan was created by Danish architect M. Frandsen together with the owner of the house – Antanas Jokimas in 1923. Even though the urban place solution is close to the modern city-garden planning, the wooden, baroque-style representing house is definitely an example of “national style”. Back in the days this historic style was understood as a close style to Lithuanian soul, representing Lithuania’s spirit. Allegedly, Paulius Galaunė claimed that “Vilnius is not a baroque city, but the whole Lithuania is “baroque” style. Maybe the art characteristics conform to the characteristics of Lithuanian character? It is hard to tell, it is only possible to state what is substantiated by facts: here, the baroque style blossomed and was “own” for everyone.” Other architects and cultural activists agreed: M. Songaila, A. Mošinskis, V. Bičiūnas and others. Some inter-war period theorists considered the baroque to be similar to the landscape: “Historical baroque churches perfectly aligned, melted in the landscape of our country, in our nature’s soft and calm outline.

Vaidas Petrulis