Lvivo 38 International Invited Architectural Competition Entries
Architektūros kūrybinė grupė AKG
R. Bimba, G. Bardžiukaitė, R. Gudauskas, G. Zelenkauskaitė, R. Valionis
Aketuri architektai
M. Rekevičienė, G. Griušytė, K. Kasteckas, J. Karazo, S. Kazlauskas, L. Rekevičius
Arches
E. Neniškis, A. Liola, R. Liola, E. Minikavičiūtė, J. Jankauskas, G. Vasiliauskaitė, K. Žalytė, K. Smotkin, Ž. Urbas
Arrow architects
U. Rayssen, C. Pedersen, J. Gil, C. A. Riano, D. Pietruczynik, A. M. Canosa, M. S. Hassan
PLH Arkitekter A/S
S. E. Andersen, L. Bareikytė-Dumčiuvienė, K. Stachura, T. Sakkal, A. Gvildys
JDWA
J. D. Wachter, P. Mata, M. Konik, G. Hun, C. Meijerink, A. Klimentieva, L. Medniece, E. Kasakaitis
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Proposal #1: CUBE
Architektūros kūrybinė grupės (autoriai: R. Bimba, G. Bardžiukaitė, R. Gudauskas, G. Zelenkauskaitė, R. Valionis)
The urban composition, which is formed by the buildings on the right bank of the river, is visually evident in the layout and the multiplanarity of the hill when viewed from the city centre. The layout and perspective multiplicity of the building groups reinforces the visual perception of the volume of the ‘hill’.
The western side of the first plan of the urban hill is dominated by the commercial building, the bank building and the National Art Gallery. In the centre of the elevation, there are the bank building, the hotel and the administrative building under construction. The Eastern side of the first plan of the urban hill is dominated by a commercial centre and the Church of St Raphael with the monastery buildings.
The western side of the second plan is dominated by the Quadrum office building, while the centre is composed of 16- and 27-storey residential buildings. On the eastern side, there is the Vilnius City Municipality and a 20-storey administrative building under construction.
The composition of the designed building is chosen considering the third plan of the Urban Hill elevation, when viewed from the city. It fills the gap between the residential building “Arfa” on the west side and the 33-storey office building which is the main accent of the urban hill.
Viewed from the left bank of the river, the building is divided into two parts in order to emphasize the slenderness of the building and not to dissonate disturbingly in terms of scale with the existing buildings that form “The Urban Hill”. Additionally, this way of division meets the client’s requirements of the building’s total area. Therefore, the building’s functional layout and volume composition are designed by two vertical parts of 26 and 29 storeys that are shifted in relation to each other and oriented towards the city centre, from which the main view of the Urban Hill is taken. The height of the building, following the regulation of the detailed plan and the concept of the Vilnius City Urban Hill, is designed on the principle of ascending to the east, towards the dominant feature of the “hill”- a 33-storey administrative building.
CUBE panels
Explanatory note
Proposal #2: DOUBLE
UAB „Aketuri architektai“ (autoriai: M. Rekevičienė, G. Griušytė, K. Kasteckas, J. Karazo, S. Kazlauskas, L. Rekevičius)
Architectural aim of the project was to create a sculpture-like object with visual landmark characteristics without suppressing the context and still politely fitting the urban hill of Vilnius. Division of the proposed volume highlights verticality coded by its position as the second tallest structure in the urban hill. The duet of two slender rectangular silhouette reduces the overall volume weight of the structure and creates a refined image, which also vibrates the line of the perimeter and forms engaging Lvivo street perspectives.
Expressive silhouette of the tower is achieved by creating sharp architectural highlights on both volumes, marking the growth of the hill. The sloped planes at the top establish its distinct appearance as well as guide the best views from the building towards the old town and the city center.
Chosen material its color and details play a crucial part in the architectural execution of the design. Triangle grid of the façade gives building its unique identity but also provides intricate details in smaller scale. Cold green color tones are chosen to emphasizes fresh lightness of the building, letting it to stand out while simultaneously blending in with the hue of urban hill.
Program consisting of two very different functions calls for a different architectural expression however a unified façade solution was adopted to architectural integrity. To avoid horizontal divisions on the building and to protect residents from the harsh winds, balconies/terraces are planned inside the structure of the building covered with a single layer glass facades which also ensures privacy and comfort of the residents and visual external cohesion.
The mixed use building consists of two main functions: residential and office. Taking into account panoramic views from the upper floors, apartments are situated on the upper part of the towers while offices occupy floors 2 to 16. The ground floor is dedicated for separate residential and office lobbies and small commercial premises.
DOUBLE panels
Explanatory note
Proposal #3: SIGNUM
UAB Arches (Authors: E. Neniškis, A. Liola, R. Liola, E. Minikavičiūtė, J. Jankauskas, G. Vasiliauskaitė, K. Žalytė, K. Smotkin, Ž. Urbas)
The new complex is a true vertical city, because it ensures a possibility to live, raise children, work, enjoy food or just relax, observing the city panoramas or reading a book in the ‘sky square’. And, like every city, it is able to change, accept new functions, challenges of new times, while maintaining the solidity of its expression and the universality of the facade expression. The parterre part of the ensemble becomes an element of Lvivo Street public space system, adding to it a necessary intermediate point for pedestrians. Also, this new complex is located in the zone of the tallest buildings of CBD so it will become one of the height poles, stretching to the sky with all its elements. Visibility determines the requirements for the silhouette. Individual city skylines have their own characteristics and in each of them the building has to adapt uniquely. In the context of the historical city, it responds to the silhouettes of sloping roofs, in natural panoramas it becomes a narrow line, and in the context of the new city – a solid status building. All these signs in the complex merge into a single, elegantly solid ensemble that seeks dialogue with the environment and stands out at the same time – the new SIGNUM of the city.
SIGNUM panels
Explanatory note
Proposal #4: THE HILL
Arrow architects (Authors: U. Rayssen, C. Pedersen, J. Gil, C. A. Riano, D. Pietruczynik, A. M. Canosa, M. S. Hassan)
The possible volume to be built on the site is relatively large to the context and compared to the surrounding slender tall elements. We studied the different typologies already built within the urban hill and felt that going with a volume that emphasised the verti- cal and slenderness could bring an elegant addition to the skyline of the urban hill. The volume is therefore sliced in equal vertical elements with a growing height towards the culmination of the urban hill and towards the Old Town and the city views. This creates a series of tall slender volumes side by side.
The stepping of the volume brings the building down to the scale of the park to the west. Here the last volume of our composition, a canopy that extends the ground floor and outdoor urban life of the building and connects the building in a natural way to the park and the city. From this double height ground floor the building grows step by step culminating at its highest point to the East. Each section of the steps offers south and west facing terraces for the usage of the building. These can both be semi-public or private for either the residential or office usage.
Each section of the building has a common double height ground floor and varying heights. An architectural expression that is very close to each other that works both as a residential facade and as an office façade was considered too. This approach has been chosen for the flexibility and reversibility of the design. This allows over time for the flexibility in the evolution of the building to have either more or less offices/residential floors. We believed an expressed difference in the design would fix the building and make it non flexible to future evolution. Likewise building like the Shard in London or other tall building in America or in Asia do not express the different usage they contain, many have both offices, hotel and residential together but one expression to the outside to keep that flexibility over time. vThe differences in the facade expression described elsewhere in the presentation offers a more subtle approach to the visual difference asked for in the brief. We believe this experience especially of the openable winter-gardens of the residential units together with their slightly more closed facade will create a visual difference during the day but especially at night where the buildings usage will create a more distinct difference between the functions, as one closes down and the other comes to life.
Our distinct ground floor, set back from the site boundary, meets the city through its open corners and the retail units are located there. These units connect to the West to the park and can become a natural outdoor destination in the area. The units there can open towards the building ́s lobby and create a connected space offering a more fluid lobby/coffee experience or simply have the flexibility to have larger events.
THE HILL panels
Explanatory note
Proposal #5: THE RIDGE
PLH Arkitekter A/S“ (Authors: S. E. Andersen, L. Bareikytė-Dumčiuvienė, K. Stachura, T. Sakkal, A. Gvildys
The Ridge lies in the central part of Vilnius CBD district, where the Urban Hill reaches its peak. The design of the building intents to complement it in the urban intentions for the area and it ́s focus is to create an attractive, exciting and comfortable work and live environment for the future of a modern Vilnius, based on sustainable principals.
Architectural concept of The Ridge aims at breaking the big high-rise volume into smaller, more human-scale volumes, with cracks between them functioning as green terraces. By doing that we can extend a very limited on the ground floor green space into upper levels of the building, while visually slimming down the tower and gaining views towards the most symbolic parts of Vilnius: Gediminas castle, Old town and Neris river.
The stepping motion of the volume is reflected on the ground floor as well. The fringe edge not only visually follows the street line and keeps the perimeter, but at the same time creates local pockets for cafe tables and greenery on site, with a pocket pack on the western side of the plot as the main feature.
The overall building design can easily accommodate to a different functional program if needed. Floor plan layouts, both in the office and residential part are designed to be flexible and easily adapted for several different tenants ́ needs.
Soft and hard factors are taken into account in order to create a pleasant, unique and sustainable work and live environment. We embrace well being by e.g. providing access to a green lounge area on any level in the building. At the same time, we work with circular and regenerative systems as rainwater collection, setup for optimal daylight control and a unique photovoltaic panel sculpture on a tower top, that shows weather forecast in different colors, making the tower unique and at the same time giving something back to any citizen of Vilnius
THE RIDGE panels
Explanatory note
Proposal #6: VILNIUS’ STEPS
JWDA (Autors: J. D. Wachter, P. Mata, M. Konik, G. Hun, C. Meijerink, A. Klimentieva, L. Medniece, E. Kasakaitis).
WE CREATE COMFORTABLE AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND WORKING SPACE MATCHING THE AMBITION OF THE VILNIUS CBD.
The aim of the project is to realize high quality housing and comfortable working spaces where the wellbeing of
the dwellers and users is the first goal. Secondly, the building itself will be a sustainable and iconic addition to the Vilnius skyline and the Urban Hill concept of the CBD. And finally, the project will add liveliness to the cityscape of the business district by providing public and commercial program on the ground floor and the other publicly accessible floors of the building.
The location in the heart of Vilnius’ business district is very special. It’s sits in the middle of a large area that undergoes a huge transformation at the moment. Many buildings in the direct surroundings are under construction, others are in the planning phase. Therefore, our project shows maximum respect for its surroundings (present and future) and aims to be a contemporary, but contextual addition to the city. In essence, the building presents itself in the context as a simple volume fitting within the boundaries of the zoning plan envelope. But subtle transformations or setbacks in the west and north facades result in a contextual and intriguing volume matching the scale and size
of surrounding buildings. Where the shape of the building changes, we offer attractive inbetween levels with different (public or collective) programs, charging the city not only on street level, but offering “action” also on the upper levels of the building. Because of the different steps that change the buildings’ shape, the final volume of the project refers to surrounding buildings in height and mass. Like this our proposal relates to the high-rise buildings around but also to the street scape of the CBD.
VILNIUS’ STEPS panels
Explanatory note
