RENOVATION OF THE SAIEMA BUILDING
2nd place award in the competition
Location
Rīga, LV
Competition
2024
Team
Dāvis Gertners, Līva Vilciņa
The existing Saeima building has undergone many renovations. Each of them has reflected the prevailing approach and thinking of that time. In our proposal, we focused on two values—continuity and openness—that align with the current era and specific situation.
The competition proposal includes solutions for improving functionality. The daily entrance from Jēkaba Street is relocated to the center of the building, allowing for the division of user flows in different directions. New stairs for guests, media representatives, and tour groups are designed to enable movement through the building without disrupting the daily operations of the Saeima.
The guest sector of the large assembly hall is moved to the balcony level, enhancing both the visitor experience and the usability of the hall itself. A partial reconstruction of the attic is planned, adapting spaces to the functions currently lacking in the building.
One of the goals of the renewal strategy is to return the building to a state where it forms a wholeness again. Therefore, the demolition of certain sections built during the Soviet era, which significantly interfere with the original spatial system and proportions of the building, is planned. The new elements are designed to be both contemporary and part of this wholeness.