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The revived axis of urban life
“Unity Square – awakened to a new life. Our dream was to create a square for happy people to gather smiling people of all ages. A square that would symbolize a new, progressive, creative and free Lithuania for the people. Together they would combine with a glorious past and history with a glorious legacy right next door. And if in Unity Square you come across an older person with a sandwich sandwich, a young man with a skateboard nearby, a student dipping his feet in a stream and preparing to a conference, or a mother with children burning in the fountains, I will say that we have this small but sincere dream. That is why it is worth living and creating, “says Arūnas Martinkevičius, president of the SBA Group.
According to him, all construction work on the plaza has been completed and the object has been declared fit for use. The SBA Urban Inventors company started the renovation of Unity Square in 2017. in the second half During the reconstruction, the upper part of the square was substantially renovated: a new light pavement was installed, green oases were installed, several mature trees were planted and unique pieces of white plastic were formed by hand. The plaza was decorated with a fountain, as well as an artificial stream, benches for a quiet rest, lighting, orderly access to the plaza, and underground parking. SBA’s investment in the project exceeded 10 million. euros This is historically the largest investment in the central square of the city of Lithuania.
Erik Ovcharenko / 15min photo / Unity Square in Kaunas
“This unrecognizable space in Kaunas is becoming increasingly lively with each passing day. This is no longer the place to go, now you want to stay here. For some time now, we have been seeing more and more people in it, especially young people. This project is an example of effective collaboration between the city and companies. I have no doubt that Unity Square is worth being one of the symbols of the growing Kaunas ”, – The Mayor of Kaunas, Visvaldas Matijošaitis, spoke about the new object of public attraction.
The municipality of Kaunas contributed to the reconstruction of the Vienybės square by purchasing a new granite pavement.
The square has international recognition.
The architectural concept of Plaza de la Unidad, located next to the Vytautas the Great War Museum, the Freedom Monument and the BLC business center that the SBA is developing, was developed by International Architecture and Design.
3Deluxe company. The implementation project was prepared together with this company by the architect Rimantas Giedraitis. A year and a half ago, the architectural concept of Unity Square won the highest award in the international awards of the Design Council established by the German Parliament. The winner of the project in the “Urban Space” category was recognized by an international jury of famous architects and designers. The project implemented in Lithuania received such recognition for the first time in history.
Erik Ovcharenko / 15min photo / Unity Square in Kaunas
“We are proud to have been part of this ambitious and innovative urban development project in recent years. The new Unity Square is, in many ways, an innovative project that will make an important contribution to the city’s rich architectural history. We have no doubt that residents will soon like the plaza as an open city site and it will become a lively and bustling hub, ”says Peter Seipp, CEO of 3Deluxe.
“We have made a great effort to invite famous German architects to work on this sensitive project for all of us. It was not an easy decision, but now I can confidently say that the efforts have been worthwhile,” says A. Martinkevičius.
The architects designed and near the Unity Square group company SBA Urban Inventors is developing the BLC 2 class A business center complex, which was completed several months ago. The group’s total investments in the reconstruction of the square and the landscaping amount to about 40 million. euros
The plaza has thousands of legendary plants and trees.
During the renovation of the square, special attention was paid to the plants and trees in the green areas. In addition to several recently planted mature birches and pines, the plaza is home to more than 5,000 different dwarf plants. According to biologist-dendrologist Danguolė Liagienė, who prepared the Vienybės Square planting project, one of the essential objectives of the planting concept is that the plants in the square should be expressive at all times of the year.
“With the help of plants, we seek to form solid, welcoming and calm green areas, and at the same time, striking. Many plants are characteristic of the natural nature of Lithuania, therefore, using them in a modern square, we have created refreshing oases of the wild environment, the full beauty of which will be revealed when the plants come together. Planted plant groups are decorative in all seasons and dynamic, as some plants are most impressive in winter, others in summer, and others in spring or fall. Therefore, the square will be decorated all year round, “says D. Liagienė.
During the reconstruction, the continuation of the legend related to a special tree was also preserved. In preparation for the renovation, I had to say goodbye to a sick old willow tree growing in the plaza. According to a legend floating in Kaunas, the tree could have been planted by the singer Antanas Šabaniauskas. Benediktas Balčiūnas, an employee of the BLC business center, who heard the legend, raised on a willow branch, which was planted in the Place de Vienyb lasts last year, successfully wintered and turned green this spring. Next to the tallest building in the BLC business center, an oak tree was preserved, which was planted by Vydūnas and Vaižgantas 100 years ago on the occasion of the Constituent Assembly.
When Unity Square’s work coincided with quarantine, it was released to citizens without contact, with the help of music. An unexpected performance by Kaunas artists took place in the plaza. How the Unity Square location symbolically connects two eras: the glorious interwar Kaunas and the vibrant modern city of the 21st century, songs sung by the legends of the temporary capital Danielius Dolskis, Kipras Petrauskas and Antanas Šabaniauskas performed by the soloist of the Musical Theater of the Kaunas Egid State Egid In contrast, Kaunas’ most famous rapper Alekna, along with singer Otreya, took over the streaming of his music. His performance was crowned by the success of Alekna “I Like It”, which received millions of online visits and became an unofficial anthem for Kaunas, and members of the Kaunas Extreme Sports Club, who surprised with tricks performed with skates, bicycles and skateboards.
During the symbolic presentation of the plaza, the most modern 40-mouthpiece dance fountain in the country has been activated, which will be a new attraction for Kaunas, especially for families with children. In the center of the square, there will also be an artificial stream, especially illuminated.
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