OFFICE BUILDING. COMPETITION ENTRY

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More abaout the project HERE

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CURRENT STATUS, LOCATION

 

The building is located at the prestigious and diverse Žvėrynas district in between Kęstutis and Sėlių streets.

Assessing the context, the situation can be perceived on two different points of view. On one hand, the site’s location at Žvėrynas could be characterized as sensitive spotted building. On the other hand, Kęstutis street has been intensively filling up with commercial buildings. 

At the moment,  there is a small masonry building at the site. The building is not included in the Register of the Cultural Heritage Real Estate. 

 From the North side of the site to the South side there is a small slope. What has to be considered is that a building located next to the site borders with the western edge of the site. 

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URBAN AIM

 

The essential urban aim and task behind the project is: scale, proportions, contextuality, function and social aspects working together in all urban senses. 

Despite the district being densely staged, one of the most important challenges is to maintain its characteristics. 

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BUILDING

 

The two-volume building is being formed, parallel to street lines, as it is typical for the area. This way, the inner space is separated from intensive transport lines in between noisy and polluted Kęstutis and Sėlių streets. 

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BUILDING HEIGHT

 

The building is designed with respect to the adjacent buildings height. Roof slopes are orientated towards Žvėrynas’ old town, which reduces the volume of the building. The roof slopes is dictated by the seeming line between the adjoining buildings, which creates the gradual descent to the old side of Žvėrynas. 

 

SOCIAL IDEA

 

OPEN, INCLUSIVE BUILDING

 

The building is not limited to its primary purpose. It also serves as a gathering place for the district. This is ensured by specially designed functions and communications. 

The first floor is based on availability to the public. On the commercial premises, it is proposed to build open-kitchen type cafes, boutiques and a common space used as a community center. 

The building is arranged in a way for the public to come in and not to just pass through. 

During the building’s work hours the community and the visitors are invited to explore the exploitable roof area.

 

THE SITE 

 

There is a small slope from the North to the South sides of the site. In order to deal with the different ground levels such measures as stairs, amphitheater, ramps are designed.

Project zero 0.00 = 107,5.

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SITE – “OPEN DOORS”

 

The layout of the building is aimed at provoking the society to come in. The arch incorporates the pedestrians moving towards Kęstutis and Sėlių streets. Public functions are available from the inside as well as from the outside of the building. 

 

INNER YARD

 

There is a green space incorporated in the inner yard. The reason for it facing the West side is to protect it from overheating. Moreover, it provides the public with the opportunity to enjoy the greenery without having to endure intense sunlight. 

Further plans on the inner yard provide access to food trucks. This will fuse the inside and the outside of the building by complementing open kitchen areas with additional catering spaces in the inner yard.  

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GREENERY

 

The detailed plan sets a task: to create a spacious area for the plants. The design of the yard accomplishes the given task with the help of hard and soft surfaces as well as various trees, bushes and greenhouses for growing fruits and vegetables. The remaining space could be used for 1m2 plant beds. 

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ARCHITECTURAL AIM

 

The meaning of the architecture today has grown out of the box and into truly broad concepts. Thus, before coming up with the architectural solution the main design aims have to be formulated. 

Therefore, main architectural solutions emerge: integrity, sustainability, social environment, innovation, and esthetics of the building.

 

BRICK

 

Brick as the primary material could be explained through the following aspects. 

First of all, it predominantly is a contextual solution. Both old and newly built objects around Žvėrynas area consist of brick or clinker facades. 

Second of all, it is a natural and sustainable material that goes hand in hand with being eco-friendly. 

Last but not least, brick is an example of a strong come-back in contemporary architecture worldwide.

 

IMAGE OF THE BUILDING

 

The building has two faces. This is a conscious choice of contrast. 

The building is designed in such a way that at the first glimpse it could create the natural, ecological impression, to become iconic. 

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INNER YARD

 

Between the monumental, regular corps of the building, a lyrical, green life is being created, which is open not only to those who work here, but also to people who fall in love with the place. 

An amphitheater, green areas are formed here. Greenhouses and beds are intended to be here for growing vegetables. 

The inner yard is a communal space for creativity, communication, work and leisure.

 

THE EXPLOITABLE ROOF

 

There is a terrace designed on the roof of the building with an opportunity to overview the panorama of the old part of Žvėrynas from the East to the West. Here it is provided to be functions of catering, work places or gardening. 

 

VOLUME

 

The volume of the building – very laconic, clear, agreeing with the neighboring building by its high-weight proportions.  The two volumes of the building conceal its size and divide it into parts. The central part of the building seems to disappear; it is not participating in the relationship with the streets. 

The roofs with its inclination are oriented towards the south, thus also performing as the solar collecting function.  Here the solar collectors are installed. 

 

FUNCTIONAL PLANS OF THE BUILDING

 

UNDERGROUND FLOORS

 

Parking lot is designed in the underground floors. It provides space for loading an electric cars.

 

FIRST FLOOR

 

A public function is provided on the first floor. Although the premises have the free plan, it is suggested to install here the open kitchen type space.

The space is designed with the amphitheater, which is open to the public and all the community of Žvėrynas. 

 

SECOND - FOURTH FLOORS

 

On the second - fourth floors – office space. 

This space has a free plan. The central part is suggested to be used as a leisure, meetings and cooperation zone. 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

There are two lifts planned: one for the visitors, and the other one for the office staff and guests.

Expressive staircase is designed for visitors and employees. 

 

MATERIALITY OF THE BUILIDING

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BRICK

 

Brick as the primary material could be explained through the following aspects. 

First of all, it predominantly is a contextual solution. Both old and newly built objects around Žvėrynas area consist of brick or clinker facades. 

Second of all, it is a natural and sustainable material that goes hand in hand with being eco-friendly. 

The brick is used as a structural element, as a tracery [with spaces], as a control from overheating and as a facade decoration. 

 

TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN SOLUTION​

 

The building is designed in such a way that it can be connected with the existing transport and pedestrian connections. The existing connections are supplemented by the new ones. 

 

Connections are presented in the scheme.

 

GREEN BUILDING | A++ ENERGY CLASS |  LEED BREEAM WELL

 

The building is designed as a green, self-contained A++ energy class building.

The use of renewable energy is estimated. 

 

The use of renewable energy can be seen in the scheme.

 

The preliminary solutions of energy assessment is provided.

 

The building is designed to be certified as LEED, BREEAM OR WELL standards - from comfortable work space to environmentally-friendly materials. 

It is really important that the constructions of the building, elements of the facade, decorations can be provided in Lithuania, thus implementing the task of standards.