Reconstruction project of the wooden building at Lāčplēša str. 55 (built in the beginning of the 19th century and now housing Riga Design and Art School) was designed in 2002 by initiative of the foundation “Latvia Nostra”. The original idea of the project came from international cultural heritage protection organization “Europa Nostra” which proposed assistance to Riga City in renovation of one wooden building in the city centre and donated for initiation of the project 20 000 EUR. Aim of the international project was to draw public attention to conservation of wooden heritage and to present an example which shows qualities of wooden architecture of Riga and most important – contemporary way of thinking in restoration of old wooden buildings. More…
The house was built between 1819 – 1820 as a school building. It is a typical example of wooden log buildings common in the historical outskirts of Riga. Its project is based on an Empire Style model drawing representing version of Classical style in Russia. The building originally has served for two functions – as premises for the school needs and as apartments for the stuff. This makes the building a unique specimen as there is no evidences about similar cases. The volume of the building has survived almost in its original appearance with high degree of authenticity. The original layout of the rooms can be easily reconstructed, the original windows and doors have also survived.
The main objective of the restoration project is to renovate the architectonic image of the 19th century school building as close to the original as possible. Renovation concept envisages to maintain the original and present function of the building, to renovate the original wooden volume of the building by demolishing backyard extensions of later periods, to renovate the log facades in their original look without the planking, to maintain stove heating, to renovate the roof with S shaped clay tiles and painted roofing iron.
The inner walls of the building will be partially left without plastering, as well as display wall decorations of different periods of time. The historical main entrance will be renovated and the central hall will again function as the main room. The original layout of the house will be restored where the art study rooms will be delicately incorporated.
Restoration of the building is partly funded by European Regional Development fund.
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Reconstruction of the wooden building
Riga, Lāčplēša str. 55
Architects: Zaiga Gaile, Liene Griezīte, Ingmārs Atavs,
Ineta Solzemniece-Saleniece, Dāvis Gasuls, Kristīne Riba, Romans Siņicins
Client: Foundation “Latvia Nostra”,
Riga Design and Art School
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Project: 2002, 2009 - 2013
Implementation: 2011 - 2013
Construction firm: “Abora” Ltd.
Total area of the house: 897 sq.m
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