On October 18, during a splendid awards ceremony that gathered around 600 architecture professionals and enthusiasts, the winners of the Latvian Architecture Award 2024 were announced at the Riga Circus. The Grand Prix went to the New Riga Theatre by Zaigas Gailes Birojs and Sarma & Norde Architects. Three Annual Awards, a special jury recognition, and other honours were also presented. This year, for the first time, a recipient was recognised with the New European Bauhaus Award.
"The main building of the New Riga Theatre was constructed in 1902, designed by civil engineer Edmund von Trompowsky, originally serving as a house for the Riga Latvian Craftsmen’s Mutual Society. Shortly after, the society began renting the large hall to various theatres. Over time, five different theaters have occupied the building. During reconstruction, the architects were tasked with expanding the space from 5,145 m² to 9,767 m², building three theatre halls with 840 seats (compared to 400 seats before renovation), three new rehearsal rooms, an actors' wing, and an underground area, while preserving the historic theatre's essence," recount the architects from Zaigas Gailes Birojs, recipients or the Awards Grand Prix for the New Riga Theatre.
The international final jury emphasizes that beyond its intended function, the New Riga Theatre is a home for large groups of individuals. "Multiple information layers were taken into account in a solution that accommodates various narratives of users of this cultural institution. We value the huge work of an architect, who manages to find simple solutions to complex questions. Architecturally the building plays with the layering of its stories — from materialised ones to unseen history and processes. It merges the historical and the contemporary, inventing new typologies that respond to new ways of making theatre," said the final jury in their statement.
Three laureates received the Annual Award in Latvian Architecture: the private residence W House near Riga (space inarchitecture office — Normunds Kagainis, Mikus Hercs, Matīss Šteinerts), Viesturdārzs Quarter (RUUME Architects), and the project Astra Zariņa — A Force of Nature (Foundation Arhiteksti, Rudolfs Dainis Šmits, Igors Malovickis, Reinis Saliņš, Andris Dzenis, in collaboration with the Business, Arts and Technology University RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design, and ‘T’ Space / Steven Myron Holl Foundation).
From the street, the W House is restrained but opens up towards the backyard and the surrounding nature. "The house is placed in a dense housing on an irregular plot, which dictated its unique W shape. The three volumes allow for the separation and integration of different functions — work, rest, sport, and socialising. At the centre of the building is a triangular terrace, around which everything else is set. The charcoal finish outside and light wood inside show a desire to combine the formal and the homely. The facades, fastened with wooden nails, are fully recyclable," the architects describe. "The innovation of this project lies in the careful crafting of local material and its connection elements. From facade to building, it all has carefully engineered qualities, which lay beyond its technical innovation," says the jury.
RUUME architects and Merks have completed the last two residential buildings in the Viesturdārzs Quarter. This architectural ensemble forms a significant structure on a city scale, creating a new type of residential building in Riga’s historic centre — with a ground floor and street level accessible to human scale, and restrained, functional facades resolved in natural materials. All apartments have access to private outdoor spaces (terraces, balconies, loggias) and public outdoor areas — playgrounds and a park in the middle of the quarter. The two buildings together house 259 apartments, providing a total residential area of 21,900 m².
"Architects face their greatest challenges when working with clients who extract maximum value from land — yet all the more a reason to highlight the young motivated practitioners who managed to transform this approach into a meaningful living complex. It seems these architects are beyond ready to engage with the pressing housing question of our time," the jury noted.
Astra Zariņa — A Force of Nature is a process that introduces the intellectual legacy of the renowned Latvian émigré architect and educator Astra Zariņa. Zariņa’s views on the urban environment, the significance of historical heritage and culture in architecture, as well as her contributions to the study of Rome and the preservation of Civita di Bagnoregio, have inspired generations of architects worldwide. The process includes the student workshop Civita 2023, the exhibition Rome and the Teacher, Astra Zariņa in Riga and Civita di Bagnoregio, the conference Rixarch 2024: Blind Spot, as well as the ongoing work on the reissue of her seminal book The Roofs of Rome.
"This project sheds light on an ever more important role of the architect — the initiator and researcher. It gives life to an unwritten history and adds a new chapter to Latvian architectural history. Using exhibitions, writings and workshops, their project allows us to rediscover and discover the history of Astra Zariņa. Thus, the authors breathe new life into her ideas which are now more relevant than ever," the jury explains.
The Special Jury Commendation went to the reconstruction of the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School technology centre (Arhitektes Lienes Griezītes studija and Gints un kolēģi — Liene Griezīte – Verpakovska, Anna Vaivare, Gints Vaivars, Gints Lūsis – Grīnbergs). The task of the reconstruction was to integrate the function of vocational education into a building located in Kuldīga’s historic area. The building is intended for practical lessons for students of woodworking and food technology at the technical school. The silhouette and facades of the existing structure have been renovated, and two new volumes have been constructed, combining historical and modern elements. The architecture of the new volumes interprets the silhouette and window rhythm of the historical building. The interior spaces are new, functional, and neutral, with a reddish tone for the doors and signage.
"Instead of formal experiments, the project shows radical modesty that transforms the existing understanding of educational space. We see simple minimal moves that don't create any screams, rather hinge towards a new enlightened place for education," commented the jury.
The first-ever New European Bauhaus Recognition was awarded to the project Reviving Historic Garden Traditions in Kuldīga (initiated by the Cultural Project Coordination Center, authors — Aldis Orniņš and Rita Ķirķe). "An aesthetic experience, sustainable solutions, reconnecting with nature, an inclusive public space — these New European Bauhaus principles are vividly present in Kuldīga. Residents gain an understanding of unique historical, cultural, and natural heritage not as a result but as an ongoing process marked by integrity, authenticity, and participation," explained the Latvian Architecture Awards 2024 selection jury in choosing the recipient.
Partner and Sponsor Awards
• Tikkurila Special Award: Phase 1 of the Red Cross Hospital reconstruction by Jaunromāns un Ābele.
• Combined Special Award from Komforts and Laufen: The Red Cross Hospital project by Jaunromāns un Ābele.
• Latvijas Finieris Special Award: Sillamäe School in Estonia by Lauder Architects, which also received the Zirnis Award from the educational project Skolnieks. Pētnieks. Pilsētnieks judged by a children’s jury.
• Delfi Media Partner's People’s Choice Award: A private residence in Cēsis by Outofbox.
• VELUX Special Award: Exupery International High School with a boarding house by 8 A.M.
• Deko Magazine Award: W House by space in.
The Latvian Architecture Annual Award 2024 laureates were determined by an international jury comprising Sille Pihlak (Estonia), architect, researcher, lecturer, and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts; Elodie Degavre (Belgium), architect, researcher at KU Leuven, and filmmaker; and Max Hacke (Germany), architect, founder of Büro Hacke, and winner of the 2024 Mies van der Rohe Award.
About the Latvian Architecture Award 2024
The Latvian Architecture Award is the highest national honour in Latvian architecture, presented annually. This year marks its 29th edition, organized by the Latvian Architects’ Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia. The aim of the event is to identify and promote the best achievements in Latvian architecture, to foster high-quality architectural development, and to encourage discussion on these topics. This year saw the highest number of submissions in recent years — 54 works, out of which 16 were selected for the final by the national jury.
Photos from the Latvian Architecture Award 2024 ceremony (photographer: Kristīne Madjare).
