A multifunctional building for learning, work, recreation, creativity and socialising, designed for a public-use plot at Šiaurės pr. 24, Klaipėda.
Total floor area
About 26,870 m² above ground and about 4,000 m² underground, about 30,800 m² in total. Planned occupancy: about 4,220 people.
Architectural idea. Volume and space
The building is a single volume shaped by the urban axes and forces of its context. Its massing creates an impression of flow and infinity: the upper three floors “glide” in organic, flowing forms, while the first and second floors are visually joined, set back and firmly tied to the ground.
The inner spatial structure is explained through the allegory of DNA links. Horizontal connections between floors are laid out organically and cross one another, so the inner spaces interweave and open views through the building. This interweaving is meant to spark unexpected links between functions and conversation between different users. Open spaces, atriums and vertical connections form where the links meet. There is no single closed space: the public areas have, conceptually, neither beginning nor end.
Functions are arranged organically rather than floor by floor, forming sequences such as play – day centre – school – college – work, or play – water – therapy – sport – relaxation, or creativity – exhibitions – shops.
English text translated from the Lithuanian original.
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