Competition entry for National concert hall in Vilnius

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Project album CLICK HERE

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INTRO

 

Vilnius is the capital of the Republic of Lithuania and the centre of cultural life in Lithuania. The city is home to the key professional musical culture establishments such as the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Vilnius is also home to Lithuania’s two key symphony orchestras, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. But Vilnius currently lacks a concert hall suitable for symphony music complying with the global standards applicable to the natural acoustics 

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HISTORY

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In the 19th century, with the territory of Naujamiestis developing in Vilnius, Tauras Hill became a distinct place in the central part of the new city. In early 20th century, the creators of the modern Lithuanian State started to promote the then-popular idea of the Nation’s House as a centre of the national culture. The upper terrace of Tauras Hill overlooking the new centre of Vilnius was a perfect location for constructing the Nation’s House. 

 

In October 1911, a land plot of 1,596 of square (nearly 3,000 square metres) was purchased on the current Pamėnkalnis (Tauras Hill). But World War I began, and in 1919 Vilnius went to Poland and the idea of the Nation’s House was abandoned.

After World War II, when Lithuania was occupied by the USSR, Tauras Hill was viewed as an important spot in terms of urban composition. When Vilnius authorities required a meeting hall, the Trade Unions Culture House was built in 1958–1963, which occupied a share of the historical plot. 

After Lithuania regained independence, there were attempts to revive the idea of the Nation’s House on Tauras Hill. 

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GOALS

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To create the leading object of cultural services, relevant not only in the this region, but in a broader context.

To reconstruct the historical truth and implement the ideas of Lithuanian intellectuals to set up the House of Nation („Tautos namai“).

To actualize one of the most important public spaces in Vilnius.

To complement Vilnius cityscape with high quality architecture.

 

DEVELOPING DIRECTIONS OF THE IDEA

 

The starting point for the developing the idea of the building itself is not only architectural, but it is more likely t

o be interesting for its attracting added value when creating a cultural product.

Nonetheless, the building must be iconic and act as a brand – as a part of the image of the city.

As the building is in a very important, visible place of the city, it is important to create it 

not only to be overviewed, but also as place to overview the city itself.

The building must be public both, visually and physically. The building has to function as a public space.

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SITE

 

Pamenkalnis, Tauras Hill or Taurakalnis is part of the slope of Neris River valley located in the Naujamiestis Eldership of the City of Vilnius, on the left bank of Neris.
The territory situated on top of Tauras Hill in Vilnius, the capital of Lithua- nia, and it is of high symbolic and urban signi cance. It is a popular locati- on among Vilnius residents and has an impressive panorama of the city centre that lies in a curve of River Neris. 

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Urban idea - Town-planning concept

 

The existing environment and newly created values ​​that shape the directions and relationships creates the new volume of the building. The design of the building consists of two compositions and of a connection between them, which in this project performs not only in a functional but also in a role of the image of the city.

 

Directions of the Streets

 

The main volume of the building is oriented parallel to V. M. Putinas street, which forms the further pedestrian route towards the Square of Lukiškės and the White Bridge. The direction of the small volume is dictated by the designed pedestrian lane axis starting from the crossing of Tauras and Pamėnkalnis streets towards the National Concert Hall. This track also separates part of the slopes of Tauras Hill, which will become the Park of the National Concert Hall.

 

BUILDING VOLUME - ORIENTATION

 

The volumes of the building are oriented to have an open space among them and that it would be visually oriented to Aukų Street, the Square of Lukiškės, the Church of Šv. Jokūbas and the White Bridge.

 

GREEN CONNECTION

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The volumes of the new concert hall building are oriented in the site to become a connecting, not separating element between the old Lutheran cemetery and the Park of Tauras Hill. This is the cornerstone of the design of this building.

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ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

 

The architectural idea is directly related to the urban concept. Volumes by reacting to urban directions, form the inner space of the building, where architectural intrigue is formed. These volumes are combined with stilobate, which becomes a link between the north and south, in other words, between Tauras Hill and the park.

On the stilobate, the same as in the main facade of the building, the active open space is created. That is how the building becomes an open and involving object.

 

PANORAMIC VOLUME

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The two volume composition is completed by a connecting - panoramic volume from the East to the West. This volume is parallel to Pamėnkalnis street and becomes a screen on the Northern side of Vilnius city. This element is interesting in two ways - both the internal [both horizontal and vertical] and external connections of the building to the city.

This element is formulated to be extremely transparent, so that when the sun shines to reflect the surrounding greenery, and an impressive hall could be seen in the evening.