The government of Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, backed by private investors, commissioned Daniel Libeskind to design a new recreational center on the city’s highest point, ArchDaily reports.
Vilnius Beacon will be located at the base of Liepkalnis Ski Hill, between the city's historic center, business district, and airport. The center will be a hub for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities in the area. The project is part of the government's efforts to transform the city into the cultural and economic center of the Baltic region.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015, and be completed in 2016.
“The Beacon is inspired by the natural beauty of the Lithuanian landscape,” Libeskind explained on his website. “The design is a study in contrasting geometries. At the core of the master plan is a circular plaza that encompasses the open arena/sports center, sited along the periphery are the two main structures, and a zig-zagging canopy spirals around the site creating a dramatic architectural experience, as well as creating a protected pathway between the main areas of the center.”
More from the architect:
The main entrance building appears to rise from the ground on a tilt, with a sloping roofline and sinuous facade that will frame the central arena. Inside, visitors will encounter a large open-air plan that will house the ticket and rental areas as well as retail and public amenities.
Across the site to the northeast, the main lodge is set into the hill side, with a curved roof that is an extension of the natural landscape. The three-storey building will grant stunning panoramic views to the city below. On the ground floor an open lobby includes the Regional Park Information Center, and a multipurpose space to be used for events and conferences year round.
On the first floor there is a bistro for casual dining with an open terrace that provides direct access to the east slope. On the top floor, a gourmet restaurant with wrap around windows will give diners spectacular views of the city and beyond.
Related Stories
| Nov 11, 2012
AIA: Building Envelope
Preventing and treating failure in glazed curtain wall systems. Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: Hospitality
Hotel boom signals good news for greener lodging facilities
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: Government & Military
Public sector remains a bastion of sustainability
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: Healthcare
Green medical facilities extend beyond hospital walls
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: Multifamily
Sustainably designed apartments are apples of developers’ eyes
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: Higher Education
More and more colleges and universities see sustainainably designed buildings as a given
| Nov 11, 2012
Greenbuild 2012 Report: K-12
High-performance schools put ‘sustainability’ in the lesson plan
| Nov 7, 2012
John Portman & Associates awarded new high rise in China
108-story building to rise in Nanning, the Capital City of Guangxi Province.
| Nov 7, 2012
Two Thornton Tomasetti projects receive 2012 International Architecture Awards for Best Global Design
The awards, presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture Design, the European Center for Architecture Art Design, and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press, Ltd., recognize excellence in architecture and urban planning.
