June

According to the minutes of KAUET meeting of 2008 05 28,
kamane.lt, 2008 06 04
The following was discussed in the meeting of Kaunas Architecture and Urbanism Experts’ Council, which took place on May 28, 2008:

1. Pre-project offers of reconstruction of administrative building premises and construction of new wings at K.Donelaičio Str. 33 (author - Ž.Radvilavičius, customer – Invalda Real Estate UAB). Presented for the third time.

2. Technical project of the multi-functional complex "Merkurijus" at Laisvės Al. 60. (designed by E.Miliūnas’ Studio, A.Kančas’ Studio).

1.Pre-project offers of reconstruction of administrative building premises and construction of new wings at K.Donelaičio Str. 33 (author - Ž.Radvilavičius, customer – Invalda Real Estate UAB). Presented for the third time.

Approved variant

According to the chairman of the meeting A.Miškinis, the following notices were expressed during the second consideration: not to repeat elements of the main facade of the building, the wing should be of other material and colour, different aesthetics, contrast with the architecture of A.Sprindys should be reached, the building should be higher.

After the corresponding corrections of the project were made and presented, the committee approved of the pre-project offers of the reconstruction of administrative premises and construction of new wings at K.Donelaičio Str. 33. The designers should take into regard the recommendations of the committee to develop the 4th variant as the most conceptual and to design stairs and ramps inside the building rather than behind it.

2. Technical project of the multi-functional complex "Merkurijus" at Laisvės Al. 60. (designed by E.Miliūnas’ Studio, A.Kančas’ Studio).

After the designers presented the history of design in this territory, the committee expressed their opinions about the offered project. According to V.Stauskas, he may not approve of the new project neither from the urbanistic, architectural, nor heritage protection or ethical point of view. The professionalism of “Merkurijus” architects is undoubted. The space created by A.Sprindys – the light square and the fountain – was a new value after the times Tsar architecture. The presented building is too massive, its architecture is boring in the fragile palette of Laisvės Alley facades.

J.Minkevičius stated that he had always thought that Laisvės Alley was not the right place for Merkurijus. The historical situation is restored by A.Kančas project, even though no high requirements are raised for the quality of architecture. It is the simplified allusion to the aesthetics of the Milk Centre. Still, he approved of the reconstruction from the urbanistic point of view.

A.Karalius disapproved of the project as no urbane analysis of the place was presented, no study of conversion of the valuable architectural work of the 20th century was presented. Also, the offered project destroys the important public space in the life of Laisvės Alley (piazetta), which is an intermediary stop between the Independence and Municipality squares and which marks the most important crossing of the Alley.

After opinions of experts were expressed, the decision was accepted to disapprove of the technical project of the multifunctional complex “Merkurijus”. The project should be considered repeatedly, and the following notices of experts should be taken into regard: a discussion is needed about the public space at the fountain important in the life of Laisvės Alley, the urbanistic analysis of the crossing of Laisvės Alley and S.Daukantas Str. is necessary.

The perimeter construction line should be retained but the ground floor should not be so closed. The general volume of the building is too big, the building is too high, more contextual decisions are needed. An attempt should be made to compose a fragment of the present “Merkurijus” into the new building, the quality of architecture should be higher and more individual, not so monotonous.

Prepared by Jūratė Merkevičienė