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Towards the end, as construction works in the Paupis district approach, Architektūros Parkas is expanding further along the Vilnius river: the developers of the territory of the former Audėjo factory, the Vilniaus miesto projektai company, are preparing to present project proposals to the public. In Rasų, Markučiai old-age home, in an area of 3 hectares, next to heavy traffic, the architecture studio Drujos Street Unitectus designed a multifunctional complex by order of the builder, where one block will be used for administrative purposes and the other for residential purposes .
The project is planned in an important area, right next to the historical core of the city, in the valley of the Vilnelė river rich in natural resources, but surrounded by the main streets of the city. And not in an empty space. In the old industrial park, which like other adjacent ones, is planned to be converted into high-density mixed multifunctional areas in the Master Plan, the reconstruction of separate buildings has already started and the planning works for individual areas have been prepared.
Architektūros Parkas is the largest conversion project in Vilnius, which aims to relocate industrial companies from the historical territories of Paplauja and Markučiai and integrate this territory into the city center, turning it into a sustainable residential area offering employment, cultural life, social infrastructure and an active multi-layered community. . Urban planners have no doubt that redeveloping old industrial sites is more sustainable than building new infrastructure in the suburbs, encouraging people to return to the city center.
The project will be evaluated by experts in architecture
The city’s chief architect, Mindaugas Pakalnis, is pleased with the city’s development in the southeast part, which is gradually becoming a counterweight to the dominant development in the northeast. “There is a lack of residential housing near the Old Town and the center, so projects like the multifunctional complex on Drujos Street can be considered a positive phenomenon. But at the same time, it is very important that the conversion taking place here corresponds to the general spirit of change taking place in Vilnius and the requirements we set. First of all, it is the formation of vibrant parts of the city, which is not possible without the first floors of the first buildings for different functions and services, ”said M. Pakalnis. Therefore, we will endeavor so that the first floors of this project and its surroundings are as follows. Such an observation has already been made to the authors of the project.
According to M. Pakalnis, mobility solutions in the Druja Street complex are expected to be organized while maintaining pedestrian supremacy; for them, as well as for cyclists, the street and all objects here should be used in the most comfortable way. Another priority is public transport and the last remaining car users in this chain. This logic must also lead to solutions for the width of streets and sidewalks, as well as for landscape and interior ensembles, that is, the formation of patios: in a residential area, they must be attractive for community activities.
M. Pakalnis praises the architects’ decision to divide the entire area into two rooms of similar size, but interconnected, according to their functions, which allows creating a solid urban fabric. But the architectural expression of the apartment complex proposed by the Unitectus studio is also questionable for the city’s chief architect.
“The requirements and expectations for this place are really high: the Drujos street project will naturally compare to the adjacent Paupis. When thinking about the integrity of the city, the architectural quality is paramount. The project was carried out by a team of architects , who successfully designed many large objects in Vilnius. But in this case, I miss the architectural character that I would like for this place. I would like the houses designed here not to look like the old large panels, “said M. Pakalnis. Hear more opinions after submitting the project to the Council of the Lithuanian Architecture Union for evaluation.
M. Pakalnis pointed out that the conversion in this part of the city exceeds the expectations of the city administration at the beginning of the project, around 2004, for almost ten years.
“Obviously, the challenge for this rapidly growing part of the city will be the social infrastructure here: there are no kindergartens or empty schools around,” acknowledged the city’s chief architect. – When evaluating the current project of planned multiple apartment buildings on Druja Street, it can be seen that the housing here is not aimed at families, but single people who need a temporary start-up housing. However, we will consult with the developers of the new projects, looking for opportunities to use the first floors of the new construction buildings for social infrastructure, to rent or buy premises that we would adapt for a kindergarten or other educational institutions. Perhaps we will find a mutually acceptable model. The subject of schools is a bit different: in Vilnius, children tend to go to schools that their parents like, not those close to them. “
You can find more information about the project here.
