The territory next to Užupis and the Vilnelė River, which was offered by such companies as „Realtus“, „Audėjas“, „Sermeta“, and „Markučiai“, was recognized to be the best for the implementation of “Architectural Park” project, initiated by Vilnius City Municipality.
Vilnius City Municipality together with the partners, following the principles of cohesive development, has envisaged developing a model block „Architectural Park“. It is planned to apply modern urban planning principles as well as implement the state-of-the-art architectural and engineering solutions.
„In this case, our ideas concurred with the municipality’s ideas. We believe that together we will develop a unique Architectural Park in the old town of Vilnius, which will become an impressive symbol of urban progress, proclaiming Vilnius as one of the oldest and most beautiful capitals of Europe, laying reasonable claims to remain such in the future.“ – says Audrius Globys, General Manager of UAB „Realtus“.
The territory, developed by UAB „Realtus“, is approximately 5 ha of former plant „Skaiteks“. The vision to develop this area dates back to 2005. The team of architects (A. Ambrasas, R. Palekas, S. Pamerneckas, and H. Štaudė), organized on the initiative of the company, during the course of creative workshop developed the build-up concept of the entire territory, stretching along both sides of Aukštaičių Street. The objective was to take a broader look at the territory to be developed as well as invoke a wider spectrum of opinion, experience, and expression. In order for the architects to better grasp the spirit of the territory, the workshop for the architects was equipped in one of the buildings of the former plant “Skaiteks” as well as the architects of the municipal enterprise “Vilniaus planas” and experts of Urban Development Department of Vilnius City Municipality were engaged in the search of the territory build-up concept.
Creative workshop endeavored to find the ways, in which the city would have developed in a natural way here, if it has not been given over to industry and if it has not been isolated. The development of the territory and future urban-architectural build-up was given a complex look with the view of preserving an urban integrity as well as naturally weaving it into the general architectural texture of the city.
In accordance with the worked out build-up concept, the following objects should be built in the territory: commercial (restaurants, cafes, shops), administrational (offices, workshops for the artists, studios for the architects), residential (apartments, lofts), and public objects.
The concept of conversion of the plant “Skaiteks”, worked out by the architects, was approved in December 2006 by Vilnius City Council; it was also approved by the Council of the Lithuanian Architects’ Association.
„The development of “Architectural Park, one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the city, starts now. Development and implementation of the vision of the prospective city is the fundamental drive of this block. The newest urban planning principles as well as architectural and engineering solutions that are now available in the world will be implemented in Architectural Park. This park should become like a lighthouse for future development of the city“, - said the Mayor of the City Juozas Imbrasas.
The history of the model architectural blocks dates back to 1901. They have become traditional in Germany, Sweden, Finland, and other countries. Innovative architectural solutions, implemented in the blocks, spread all over the world and become a standard of modern architecture. Vilnius is planning to invite the experts of the projects, implemented abroad, who would share their experience in developing a modern block.
