Dialogue on the hill. Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects
28/11/2022.
[Ventspils] Latvia
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
The Science and Innovation Centre designed by Audrius Ambrasas Architects is a building located on the west coast of Letonia, in Ventspils city.
The beginnings of the science centre date back to 2015 when an international design competition was announced. A total of 15 candidates from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Germany competed. The winner was the design created by Audrius Ambrasas from Vilnius (Lithuania) was recognised as the best one.
The beginnings of the science centre date back to 2015 when an international design competition was announced. A total of 15 candidates from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Germany competed. The winner was the design created by Audrius Ambrasas from Vilnius (Lithuania) was recognised as the best one.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Site plan. Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects.
Ground floor plan. Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects.
First floor plan. Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects.
Second floor plan. Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects.
Audrius Ambrasas Architects designed the silhouettes of the Science and Innovation Centre in Ventspils and the hill merging into a new public space, an open roof terrace and a viewpoint available to all visitors. The western part houses the vehicle access and parking areas, while operational traffic enters the building – separated from visitor access – from the south.
The hill leads to the roof terrace with access to the public facilities (café, conference hall and main lobby) on the first floor. Further development of the building continues along the roof slope towards the observation deck, which offers impressive panoramic views.
The building itself is also divided into two parts for functional reasons – the science centre forms the lower part of the volume, while the innovation centre occupies the 6 floors of the upper part.
The façade of the building is made of glass with copper finishing sheets. In order to prevent the copper from losing its dark golden tone over time, these metal sheets have been specially treated by means of a technique used for the first time in Latvia. The lobby floor of the science centre was made of more than 600.000 Murano glass mosaic tiles, the floor of the lobby is designed as a world map with a total area of 365 m². Ventspils is located in the centre of the map. At this very spot, beneath the ground, there is a time capsule with a message for future generations built in the foundations.
The hill leads to the roof terrace with access to the public facilities (café, conference hall and main lobby) on the first floor. Further development of the building continues along the roof slope towards the observation deck, which offers impressive panoramic views.
The building itself is also divided into two parts for functional reasons – the science centre forms the lower part of the volume, while the innovation centre occupies the 6 floors of the upper part.
The façade of the building is made of glass with copper finishing sheets. In order to prevent the copper from losing its dark golden tone over time, these metal sheets have been specially treated by means of a technique used for the first time in Latvia. The lobby floor of the science centre was made of more than 600.000 Murano glass mosaic tiles, the floor of the lobby is designed as a world map with a total area of 365 m². Ventspils is located in the centre of the map. At this very spot, beneath the ground, there is a time capsule with a message for future generations built in the foundations.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Science and Innovation Center VIZIUM by Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Photograph by Norbert Tukaj.
Project description by Audrius Ambrasas Architects
Science and Innovation Centre in Ventspils was designed as a union of architecture and landscape. Instead of proposing a landmark on the bridge axis, we leave it open and inviting. The silhouettes of the building and the hill osculate here. New public spaces such as the science hill mounting up from the plain, an open-air roof terrace and an overlook spot are designed for both the locals and city guests.
The building design divides the site in two. The Western part accommodates vehicle access and parking, while the technical transport access is separated from the arrival of visitors – it gets to the building from the South.
The Eastern part of the site is shaped by the hill, which is a place for picnics and open-air events, providing views of the river. The hill leads to the roof terrace with access to the public facilities (café, conference hall, and access to the main lobby) zone on the first floor.
The further cognition of both the building and the city is continuing along the sloping roof towards the overlook opening panoramic views. The building is divided in two for functional reasons – the Science Center makes the low part of the volume, whilst the Innovation Center takes the 6 floors of the rising part.
More information
Architects
Audrius Ambrasas Architects. Lead Architect.- Audrius Ambrasas.
Project team
Audrius Ambrasas, Vilma Adomonyte, Jonas Motiejunas, Viktorija Rimkute, Justas Jankauskas.
Collaborators
Local Architects.- Juris Poga birojs.
Area
6,653 m².
Dates
International design competition.- 2015.
Completed.- September 2021.
Completed.- September 2021.
Location
Rūpniecības Street 2, Ventspils, LV-3601, Latvia.
Manufacturers
TECU®
Photography
Audrius Ambrasas, Rasa Ambrasienė, Vilma Adomonytė, Olga Savickienė, Justas Jankauskas, Karolina Galvydytė. Audrius Ambrasas Architects
The Audrius Ambrasas Architects is an arquitecture practice based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The studio is composed by Audrius Ambrasas, Rasa Ambrasienė, Vilma Adomonytė, Olga Savickienė, Justas Jankauskas, Karolina Galvydytė.
They work with a vision of Architecture as a puzzle. Imagine an equation with many unknown variables and no formulas to solve it. Investors, public needs, architect’s ambitions, location, environment… Architecture is all about finding a solution. If all goes well, the architect controls those variables and condenses them into an artistic vision. Whereas the society probably understands architecture, first and foremost, in terms of its physical form. But from the inside, architecture is just like solving a puzzle.
Engineers strive to design cars that move. Likewise, architects seek to design buildings that are functional and alive.
They work with a vision of Architecture as a puzzle. Imagine an equation with many unknown variables and no formulas to solve it. Investors, public needs, architect’s ambitions, location, environment… Architecture is all about finding a solution. If all goes well, the architect controls those variables and condenses them into an artistic vision. Whereas the society probably understands architecture, first and foremost, in terms of its physical form. But from the inside, architecture is just like solving a puzzle.
Engineers strive to design cars that move. Likewise, architects seek to design buildings that are functional and alive.
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