“Hanzas perons” / Article / LSM.lv receives the 2020 award in Riga architecture

On October 5, World Architecture Day, the 15th Annual Award in Riga Architecture was presented. This year, “For an innovative approach and sophisticated architectural solutions, transforming the industrial heritage into a new cultural place in Riga” was awarded to the “Hanseatic Platform” and its authors: architects Reinis Liepiņš, Ilze Liepiņa, Ieva Landmane, Ieva Leja, Ainārs Plankaja, Mārtiņš Ostaņēvičs , To Girt Kula. In addition to the annual award, the Riga City Architect’s Office awarded 14 awards for excellence in the architecture of individual objects.

In a statement to the media, Riga city architect Guido Prince described the “Hanseatic platform” as a project that respects Riga’s history and is dedicated to the future: “The cultural object is implemented in a typical Riga architecture – using the historical and contemporary architecture, making it attractive and interesting. by voting and awarding the object the traditional “Public Appreciation”.

In general, the finalists of the show reflect a professionally versatile and high-quality contribution to Riga’s architecture and urban planning.

The jury has decided to award recognition to all finalists.

Also, following the current processes in the city, the jury especially notes the Anniņmuiža neighborhood and creative initiative association “Riga Annenhof” – “For activism in the preservation of the Anniņmuiža residential building and park as a cultural place of the neighborhood”.

“I would like to note the share of private investment among the finalists and highlight objects with an increased contribution to the quality of the urban environment, which demonstrate attitude and offer solutions to take care of a better quality of life for Rigans. Among the best are current housing projects, creating quality and diversity in Riga.,Said the city architect.

As usual in recent years, the award was symbolically presented in the building recognized as the best last year – in the apartment building “River Breeze Residence” at Kuģu Street 28. Last year the award “For balance between private and public outdoor space in an exclusive and innovative housing project” was given to its authors: architects Venti Didrihsons, Kaspars Laugs, Ivo Kalvelis, Līva Banka, Alise Jēkabsone; project manager Andris Gudiņš; landscape architects Helena Gutmane, Maris Bush and landscape technician Ruta Tobies.

The jury evaluates the objects nominated for the 2020 award in Riga architecture: representatives of the Latvian Architects ‘Union Andrejs Ģelzis, Ilze Mekša and Agnese Lāce, representatives of the Latvian Construction Engineers’ Union Raimonds Eizenšmits and Vilnis Puķis, the representative of the society Green House, Kristaps Ceplis Jānis Krastiņš, representative of Icomos, Juris Monvīds Skalbergs, representative of the Latvian Academy of Regional Architecture, Andris Stankevičs and Gints Krīgers, representatives of the Latvian Sustainable Construction Council, Viesturs Brūzis, representative of the Riga City Construction Board, and the Latvian Landscape Architect Association .

Buildings from the categories of office buildings, apartment buildings, educational institutions, cultural buildings, commercial buildings, transport infrastructure, health care institutions, as well as hotels were represented at the show.

Out of more than 750 construction objects put into operation last year in Riga, 33 buildings were included in the register of award participants and nominated for further evaluation.

The evaluation of the objects nominated for the award, with a team of jury experts visiting the buildings on site, took place throughout the summer. Together with industry experts, the best examples of preserving architectural values, ensuring the sustainability of the city’s living environment were sought and evaluated, focusing on the energy efficiency of buildings, environmental accessibility and universal design principles, evaluating the achievements in the historical center of Riga and its neighborhoods and neighborhoods. in the field of architecture. Also this year, special attention was paid to the intellectual and economic contribution of the objects not only in the context of Riga, but in the whole of Latvia. It should be noted that, in accordance with the regulations, only those objects that were put into operation in 2019 could be applied for the exhibition of architectural works.

Views of architectural achievements are organized by the municipal agency “Riga City Architect’s Office” in cooperation with the structural units and partners of the Riga City Council. Participants – buildings and their authors – could be exhibited by the Riga City Architect’s Office, state and non-governmental institutions and organizations, as well as any legal and natural person.

In order to highlight and popularize the achievements in the architecture of Riga, promoting the development of a high-quality urban environment, and to identify the achievements of architects, a show of the latest objects has been organized since 2006. Its aim is to stimulate a professional discussion on the values ​​of urban architecture and criteria for assessing a quality urban environment and to promote public demand for quality living space, thereby increasing awareness and participation and creating demand for quality services in the field of architecture.

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