Zeimuls, Centre of Creative Services of

Eastern Latvia / SAALS Architecture

Architects
SAALS Architecture

Location
Krasta iela 31, Rzekne, LV-4601, Latvia

Architect in Charge
Rasa Kalnina, Maris Krumins

Design Team
Ansis Auzins

Area
4400.0 sqm

Project Year
2014

Photographs
Jevgenij Nikitin, Janis Mickevics, Ingus Bajars

Building advising
Maris Igavens

Building advising, Interior

Arturs Igovens

Architect, Interior
Vita Skapare

Technical Architect
Ilze Geca, Martins Reinbergs, Vineta Strauta

Civil Engineer
IG-KURBADS, Renars Felcs, Lauris Tirans, Normunds Tirans

Engineering
INNA PROJEKTS

Customer
Rezekne City Counsil
 Site Area
12 080 m2
"There is a legend about Kings daughter Roze who still lives underneath the
Rezekne castle mound and waits for the one to bring her into the world
Meanwhile a wizard came on the other side and lifted the earth up. A free space
was left there for every little kid in Rezekne to grow up tall, wise and special.
And the wizard stuck the pencils into the ground. The teenagers came and
climbed up there to show themselves and their great works. Let the gentlemen
of Riga to admire!"
The idea of the building was developed as a proposal for an architecture
competition for a place next to the castle mound of Rezekne and aim of the city -
to create innovative, creative environment for children and youth in Rezekne that
would stimulate the young graduates to return to live and work in Rezekne town
after their studies, unique, new leading-motive for the development of the town,
new impress of time.
The volume of the space is bent around the local dominant the castle mound of
Rezekne; it is embodied in the terrain of surroundings with open views towards
the castle mound and the church.
The pencils stuck in the green volume serve as the foreground for the existing
soviet period buildings.
... A dramatic landscape on the edge of the town centre facing an ancient castle
mound with medieval, state-preserved ruins- the main tourist attraction of the
town. It was the site itself that suggested the building should settle deep into the
ground and that the fifth facade - the geometrically triangulated green roof -
should become the main feature of the structure. The building is a structure of
exposed, monolithic concrete, plastered on the exterior. Still, most of the rooms
are rectangular in plan - the dramatic ceilings of exposed concrete and variable
window geometries create the amazing diversity and uniqueness of space. The
shape of the roof not only creates a feeling of safety and protection for the
children, but also allows for an ample and diverse flow of natural light through
various openings into all the rooms, halls and corridors, while from the outside it
shines mysteriously in the darkness. An intimate inner courtyard on the ground
floor brings light into activity rooms located further from the surface. The
landscaping around the building, in both concrete and green surfaces, continues
the same geometric principles as used for the roofs with surprising sculptural
feel and artistic touch in every detail. The new structure became an integral part
of the existing dramatic landscape, and even a part of local legends and fairy
tales, extending the popular imaginations. It is example of contemporary design
emerging from physical and emotional surroundings, from local spirit and
traditional archetypes, providing a warm and friendly new environment for the
kids. Despite its 6000m2 area, the building feels human and homely, compatible
with the small-scale historical buildings of the towns centre. A10, *48, Anita
Antenie