This time I will leave all the lovely mid-century buildings aside for a little while and tell you a story about a contemporary office building in Vilnius, Lithuania which has been built in 2012. Designed by Hackel-Kaape architekten office Hamburg-Vilnius with mainly Lithuanians on the team. This project also includes restoration of 1913 secession style merchant’s house originally designed by an architect M. Prozorov. New glass addition plays a contrast role in overall composition.
View to the new addition to the “Merchants’ club” from Lukiškių square
This building is just next to the most important Gedimino boulevard in the center of Vilnius. Due to the importance of location choosing the right project was by the means of a closed competition, what was held in 2008. Other competition entries can be seen here.
The sunny weather photos are taken in summer 2012, and in the beginning of this year I came back for more. The building looks much more cheerful in a sunny weather conditions, than in the middle of winter. In the competition entry of the architects the building was presented as a bit more pale, whiter glass would be used, however in reality it is even brownish. Even thought the construction is claimed to be finished in 2012, the office spaces are still not rented out – exactly the same add half a year latter is still there on the front window. I also assume, that within the deeper side of the building the construction is not over yet, as the courtyard is still not accessible for anyone and the construction fence is still there instead of a gate.
