UAB PALEKO ARCHSTUDIJA

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory

VU BOTANICAL GARDEN LABORATORY

Paleko Architektu Studija

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

ARCHITECTS IN CHARGE
R. Palekas, B. Puzonas, V. Lingė

CONTRACTOR
UAB Rekreacine Statyba

CLIENT
Vilnius University

MANUFACTURERS
Schindler, Knauf

PHOTOGRAPHS
Norbert Tukaj

AREA
1000.0 m2

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Kairėnų g. 43, Vilnius 10105, Lithuania

CATEGORY
Other Facilities, Refurbishment

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

IDEA: BUILDING – PLANT

Before reconstruction laboratory building contrasted with manor complex buildings. The former building was not creating homogeneous composition with manor buildings due to its small adjunctive elements such as chimneys or roof exit, as well as moral architectural qualities.

Proposed architectural idea: building – plant. In order to implement this idea, new elements are designed to create integral rectangular volume.

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

The staircase, elevator and greenhouse are attached to the southern wall and whole volume is encircled by the “green” facade.

The volumetric solution of reconstructed laboratory building is calm; the height is leveled to the manor buildings. Due to the planted facade, the space on the roof becomes familiar to the strong natural botanical garden environment.

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

„GREEN“ FACADE

Volume of the reconstructed building is encircled by 1,3 m width metal construction, on which the composition of planted elements is fixed.

Composition consists of three rows of columns which are formed out of metal net and special substrate for plants. Composition consists of three rows of columns which are formed out of metal net and special substrate for plants.

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

The columns are of the same height and fixed to the horizontal constructional elements together with the service bridges.

All columns are designed as mobile elements, that can be removed or relocated if needed. In this way, a possibility to regulate the insolation of the premises and provide maintenance for the plants is created.

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

The characteristic of plants changing through the seasons was taken into account. In the summertime lushness of the plants reduces gaps between columns, thus protects premises against overheating. And in the wintertime columns keep the pursued architectural image.

THE MAIN DESIGN SOLUTIONS

A new staircase, an elevator and a greenhouse are attached to the southern building facade, creating integral rectangular volume.

The required greenhouse was designed as a rectangular glass box with direct sunlight form east, south and west. Orangery is located above the greenhouse. The roof is used as a recreational overlook area, where whole manor complex can be observed.

VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
© Norbert Tukaj

Two staircase volumes on the roof divides roof space into three parts: the middle one – open space, southern – terrace covered by metal roof, northern – garden with long bench. The roof perimeter is encircled by glass fencing.


VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Elevation
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Elevation
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Section
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Section


VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Site Plan
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Situation


VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Diagram
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Detail
VU Botanical Garden Laboratory
Sketch

UAB PALEKO ARCHSTUDIJA
T +370 5 2619035
UAB PALEKO ARCHSTUDIJA
J. Jasinskio g. 14a-13, Vilnius, 01112 Vilniaus m. sav., Lithuania