New old museum of art
Architecture and urban planningThe main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Krišjāņa Valdemāra Street 10a has been put into operation, after completion of reconstruction and restoration works of the historic building.
The building had been serving already for 107 years. Therefore, it was decided to perform reconstruction works and expansion of the building with a purpose to create a contemporary museum infrastructure for displaying and preservation of artworks. On 22 January 2013, a construction agreement with Re&Re and an agreement with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency on ERAF financing for the project have been signed.
”On 22 January 2013, when signing the agreement on performing construction and restoration works, I mentioned that entrusting performance of these works is not only a huge honour and responsibility, but also the project will be difficult and we will face many challenges, which also showed in reality,’ said the general director of Re&Re Didzis Putniņš. “Including the construction of the new underground space on the historical riverbed, six meters below the ground and its connection to the hundred year old building, which was further interfered by previously unforeseen high level and pressure of groundwater, the historical building of the museum, which is more than 100 years old, has experienced the first grand reconstruction and restoration in its history,” he added.
The strategy of museum reconstruction is formed by three aspects: heritage, aesthetic and functional. The design involved preservation of capacity of the existing building and authentic details; to create explicit modern premises with minimum design solutions in the additional premises, and implement changes in the functional strategy of the existing building.
The volume for exhibitions of the museum historical building has been increased through creating exhibition halls with an area of 598 sqm in the attic room and dome. In order to ensure brightness of attic rooms, a glass roof with overhead lighting was installed. Also terraces are constructed on the roof of the building. Metal evacuation stairs from third floor to the dome floor have been installed.
Additional stairs with brass finish have been constructed connecting the first and second floor. The newly constructed passenger elevator can be used for getting from the semi-basement floor to the newly created roof terraces. Now the building is also adapted for people with special needs. Conference and cafe premises, as well as a playroom for children and souvenir shop have been created.
Also there are new museum premises – the underground space of 3,545 sqm, 777 sqm of which are occupied by exhibition halls, the large underground hall – 583 sqm. The second floor is situated 8.6 m below the ground level (in the area of cargo elevator – even 11.025 m). The underground premises will also include the museum archive and storage rooms. The surrounding territory is illuminated and landscaped. Also a glazed atrium with brass finish is created.
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