Processoffice

Latvian Museum Of Art

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

LATVIAN MUSEUM OF ART

Processoffice and Andrius Skiezgelas Architecture

ARCHITECTS
Processoffice and Andrius Skiezgelas Architecture

PHOTOGRAPHS
Norbert Tukaj

CITY
Riga

AREA
8249.0 m2

PROJECT YEAR
2016

LIGHTING CONSULTANTS
Moduls, Think Light

COUNTRY
Latvia

 CATEGORY
Museums & Exhibit

LANDSCAPE
Ainavu arhitekti, Daiga Veinberga, Liga Valdmane

MANUFACTURERS
RHEINZINK, Cemex, GLASSBEL, Guthrie Douglas

PROCESS OFFICE
Vytautas Bieksa, Rokas Kilciauskas, Marius Kanevicius, Giedrius Spogis

ENGINEERS’ OFFICE BUVE UN FORMA
Janis Praulins, Janis Krasts, Kaspars Snore, Olga Opolcenova, Solvita Snore, Maris Gravitis

CLIMATE, WATER SUPPLY AND SEWER SYSTEMS
Engineers’ office Buve un Forma, Jelena Uspenska, Tatjana Grava, Sergejs Pivovarovs, Rasa Vilka

FIRE SAFETY
Juris Smits, Genadijs Kuzmins, US&L, Alina Kavalera UG Projekts 

ARCHITECTS IN CHARGE
Vytautas Biekša, Rokas Kilčiauskas, Marius Kanevičius, Andrius Skiezgelas

ELECTRICAL AND LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS 
Daina EL, Ingus Mozalevskis, Eduards Lusis, Ilgvars Kozlovs, Viktors Grincuks Lafivents, Andris Krumins, Nikolajs Bogdanovs, Igors Musijenko

Three Aspects of the Reconstruction Strategy for the Building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

Considering the unique architecture of the building, its representational importance and significant contribution to the cultural heritage, the proposed extension strategy is based on:

- retention of the existing building capacity and authentic details;

- Need For Renewal And Extension Of Museum Functions In The Clearly Expressed Modern Volume And Subtle Minimal Design Of The Additional Spaces;

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

- Redesign Of The Functional Strategy Of The Existing Building Enabling More Efficient Use And Ergonomic Integration Of The Extension.

Based on the following aspects, we offer a functionally and aesthetically balanced design project for the restoration, reconstruction and extension of the building of the Latvian National Museum of Art preserving the existing building as a historical urban landmark and ensuring its modern functionality.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

ASPECT OF HERITAGE

As the current museum building is regarded a national architectural monument and listed building of the state significance No. 6530, it is one of the most representative architectural objects in Riga.

According to the project, its restoration is intended with the maximum preservation of the functional building elements, use of the modern technology and maintenance of the original decorative details.

ASTHETIC ASPECT

To solve the problem of shortage of the exposition space, we offer the adjustment of the existing unused building space, additional functions, as well as formation of new exhibition spaces concentrated in the new extension, which is designed below the ground level.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

By such placement of the new extension below the ground level it is possible to maximize the preservation of the building as the historical urban landmark.

Next to such exceptional position of the museum building, only the neutral concrete courtyard with an amphitheatre in brass is added.

FUNCTIONAL ASPECT

Working on modernization of the museum building, we have concentrated on the development of the functional strategy, also drawing attention to redistribution of space and logical classification, grouping and connection of the existing and future museum premises and functions. In response to the needs of the museum, we have come to the following functional approach:

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

- Leaving the site free of any new ground-based volumes, we propose to construct the space for temporary exhibitions, storages with restoration workshops and ancillary facilities in the new extension below the ground level.

- Above the underground extension, in between the park and museum building, we suggest a square – stylized social space with an outdoor café, video projection, art installations in the open air and other public events.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

- The ground floor is adapted for administrative and public functions of the museum - classrooms, cafeteria/ restaurant, conference hall, children's education classes, which can be accessible both, from the street and park side. New stairwell in the central part of the building connects the ground floor with the new extension and the main hall on the first floor.

- In addition to the existing exhibition space in the old building, we propose to use the cupola and part of the currently unused attic as the exposition spaces. To comply with the requirements for the exposition space, we propose to install skylights with natural light control.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

- For convenient and practical use we suggest to redesign the part of the roof in a way that it could accommodate a terrace with picturesque panoramas, while allowing the natural light in on the second floor exhibition galleries through the original skylights. The impressive cupola space could be used for temporary installations and for access to the roof terrace

EXPOSED ARCHIVES AND WORKSHOP

The new extension is clearly distinguished from the historic building and hosts primarily the technical and ancillary premises of the museum.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

Walking through the public access loop (the entrance ramp) to the exposition halls visitors can observe the previously and traditionally invisible inner premises of the museum, such as archives of art collections.

The restoration workshops can be observed both, from the exhibition hall in the glass covered atrium and from above, while walking on the glass floor. The large 12,0 x 3,5m lifting platform for exhibition delivery transport is integrated into the open air patio and provides natural light and occasional view for the visitors in the lobby of the new extension.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj
Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj

PUBLIC SQUARE

Main purpose of the square is to serve as a platform for public gatherings thus extending the museum’s possibilities to display art objects. The monolith concrete surface proposed for easier functional use also exposes the iconic shape of the old museum as a sculpture and clearly marks the new volume of the underground museum extension.

In the middle of the square, we propose an amphitheatre with the 9 X 9 m glass covered atrium at the bottom for the visitors to watch through it observing the everyday life of the museum, while also functioning as a skylight for the exhibition space.

Latvian Museum Of Art
© Norbert Tukaj


Latvian Museum Of Art
Elevation
Latvian Museum Of Art
Elevation


Latvian Museum Of Art
Section
Latvian Museum Of Art
Section


Latvian Museum Of Art
-2 Floor
Latvian Museum Of Art
-1 Floor

Latvian Museum Of Art
Ground Floor

Processoffice
T +370 5 2610221
Processoffice
Kražių g. 25, Vilnius, 01108 Vilniaus m. sav., Lithuania