Colony of Artists

IDEA /BRIDGE from tradition to conceptuality.

Creative centre bridge-colony of Vilnius Art Academy. It is conceptually sought to combine archetypical architectural forms of the landscape of Neringa, shaped in the 20^th century, with the space of creative studios – educational centre that meets modern needs and is culturally poly-functional.

As one of the main axis of public cultural identity, a historic motif of art colony established by “Bridge” (“Brucke”) group of expressionists is chosen.

With reference to a more consistently treated tradition, the possibilities of new conditions for visual art and general cultural attitudes are created.

RECONSTRUCTION/OBJECT

In the perimeter of the present one-bulk rectangular building, the plan for 18 symmetrically joined and covered with wooden boards modules (prototypical two-pitched), closed street or yard, 3 altitude terrace levels is designed. Dwelling and representational premises are organized according to the principle of central composition (atrium).

On the first floor, which is covered with clear glass, there are 2 main entrances, one closed and 3 open fire exits and additional separate exits from every premise present on that floor. The windows of the second and attic floor are installed with fully closable wooden sliding shutters.

EXPRESSION/RECENSION

Visual authenticity and character of the building is shaped by imparting a typical expression of urban installed on bridge poles. This how it is sought to repeat in an ideological and form content the elements of dune maintaining, structural elements of the backs of marines and their architectonic meaning which is especially characteristic to the seaside.

The gamma of white colour predominates in the interior and it is obtained through factures. Floor covering – polished painted (light grey) concrete. Inner walls are plastered and painted white. Larch boards are used for wooden terraces (grey tone) and facades (light grey tone), the accent – red (traditional colour of Nida) columns and banisters in the façade.

Functional zoning. 1^st floor: terraces – hall – great hall – cinema hall – café – administration – studio – repositories – reading-room/gallery; 2^nd floor: atrium – conference hall – hostel – artist studies; 3^rd floor: entrance on the roof – chess field – technical premises and three open  and one closed fire stairs.

In the plan of the 1^st floor main areas for representation are arranged (floor-1510 m²)

Exhibition hall – 299 m²

Conference/cinema hall – both 70 m²

Collective studios – 131 m²

Administration – 84 m²

Reading-room – 133 m²

Café-bar – 103 m²

Information – 20 m²

Technical/sanitary/offices – 209 m²

2^nd floor – 1426 m²

Artist residences – (7) 270 m²

Hostels – (15) 644 m²

3^rd floor – 267 m². Entresols-bedrooms of studies: 77 m² / hostels – 190 m²; roof terrace with expositional bulks/technical premises/landings.

Total territory 3203 m²

The building was designed with reference to the programme of the institution which organized the contest. The building is designed on the lot in Nida, Taikos St. 43. It is peojected to adjust the building for the needs of international education, art and cultural project administration.

One can get into the lot through the stairs from the side of Taikos Street. Two drives are left from the main side.

The parking lot is above-ground. 21 places are projected.

The lot is of irregular shape, it takes 0.4742 ha.

The relief is rough and the altitudes of the surface fluctuate between 5.12 – 6.85m.

The altitude of the designed building is +0.00=5.90 (present + 0.00=6.82m)

The building is reconstructed not increasing the upholstering area of 2000.86 m² (present 2010.50).

The candlelight is installed from the north, east, south and west to illuminate the building from the bottom. It is projected to fix the solid surfaces of the lot and its avenues, to plant cherry-trees and scrubby pines.

Constructional part. Architectural decision of the building determined the choice of constructions. Monolith ferroconcrete framework was used as well as bearing monolith ferroconcrete walls, ceiling and columns. The walls are set using the present old silicate bricks. A part of the first floor – open terraces, and another part – warm premises covered with frameless glass. On the ceiling of the first floor, framework bulks are combined with attic bulks for the inner and outside walls and roof of which a wooden finishing is used adapting the principle of dual façade.

By installing sun collectors on the roof, there would a possibility emerge to use ecological energy for illumination and conditioning. It is also suggested to gather roof flow water evaluating the possibility of using fresh water with reference to the specifics of a private region.

Authors: Mantas Maziliauskas, Gytis Jankauskas, Robertas Gritėnas, representational company “Naujoji Architektūra ir grafika“.

Public contest. 1^st place

Client: The project is jointly funded from EEE and Norwegian financial mechanisms.