CONCEPT
Considering that the building is intended as a temporary structure, the existing situation of the area determines the shaping of the volume. The required area of the building, existing trees, access to roads, as well as the need to distance from the church square all influence the placement of the volume towards the courtyard of Tīlmaņa residential building. To achieve a more expressive volume, accents are planned at a maximum height of 3.5m facing the square, and the courtyard facade is lowered to 2.9m. The volume is visually divided into two parts – a visual information center and a café, connected by a common canopy. The existing building features shades of red, reddish-brown, and gray tones, to harmonize with the surrounding environment. The proposed building is envisioned in a dark brown hue.
LOCATION
The building is intended to be situated at a distance from St. Peter’s Church square. The facade towards the residential building courtyard is planned along the red line. It is not possible to continue the perimeter development towards Monētu iela due to existing trees. The facade facing Skārņu iela 7 is planned to run along the existing asphalt road, which will also serve as access for deliveries, waste collection, and portable toilet servicing. The volume towards the church square is set back, moving away from existing trees and creating a square for the proposed building.
FUNCTIONAL ZONING
The visual information center and the café are spatially connected to the entrance node and share a sanitary block. Considering the different operating hours, the information center can be closed off with a sliding wall. The café hall is oriented towards St. Peter’s Church square. Kitchen facilities are not detailed in the project, and will be developed based on the defined kitchen type and needs. The kitchen spaces are linked to a covered outdoor area, where waste containers will be placed, and deliveries can be made. Additional paid toilets are planned within a separate area. No active commercial activities are planned towards the courtyard of Tīlmaņa residential building.
SITE IMPROVEMENT
Some of the existing concrete curbs are planned to be removed. The square in front of the building is intended to be paved with Vecrīga cobblestones, connecting to the existing pavement. The distance from the wooden stumps to the paving should be r=1.5m. Covered outdoor areas are planned to be paved with concrete slabs up to the existing asphalt surface. During the warm season, a terrace is planned within the boundaries of the area’s red line. The terrace pattern is planned to have triangular motifs. Benches are planned along the edge of the terrace, as the existing urban environment does not provide such seating, and currently tourists use the concrete curb as a resting bench. A ramp for accessibility is planned for the terrace. The terrace decking is in a dark brown tone. Existing road signs in the area are planned to be removed. The existing “Rīgas gaisma” lighting post is planned to be retained, as there is no information available on the possibility of removal or relocatio.
FINISH MATERIALS
The facade finish is planned with TERSPA METEON or equivalent cladding sheets with a decorative wooden surface, in a dark brown color. The sheets are planned to be in triangular format, creating a pattern. The facade facing the courtyard of the residential building is intended to be austere and closed. The sheets on the facade facing St. Peter’s square are cut, creating more attractive entrance facades. Closed outdoor areas are planned to have perforated sheets for air exchange. Ventilation air intake/exhaust ducts are planned to be connected to the facade and covered with a perforated panel. Roofing is planned with TERSPA METEON or equivalent cladding sheets, in white.
Roofing is planned with a steel roofing profile with a double seam. Rainwater gutters and drains are planned to be made of metal. The project proposal includes two drains, both relatively close to the city’s stormwater drainage network. The base of the building is planned to be clad with steel sheets. All metal elements are planned in a dark gray ton.
The window from the kitchen spaces is planned to be frosted to provide light to the room without being fully open to the courtyard, and to illuminate the room. The floor indoors is proposed to continue the triangular pattern in a dark brown color, while the walls and ceilings are planned in white.
LIGHTING
The cut panels are planned to be illuminated from below with projector-type fixtures to highlight the various arrangements of the panels. Point lighting is planned to be integrated into the roof overhang to provide local lighting at the entrance. Small vertical light fixtures are placed along the perimeter of the building.
STRUCTURAL SOLUTION
The building is intended to be constructed with wooden structures, with cross-sections to be specified after load calculation. Wooden columns are planned along the glazed facade sections, as well as in the visual information center. The roof overhang is planned to be constructed with wooden rafters.
Stage: Competition
Authors: Jolanta šaitere, Ēriks Valdmanis
Address: Pēterbaznīcas STR 37, Old Riga
Year: 2015
