National Library must be built - architects
The Latvian National Library (LNB), designed by renowned architect Gunars Birkerts, is still important and should be built, the architects, surveyed by LETA, believe.
The Latvian National Library (LNB), designed by renowned architect Gunars Birkerts, is still important and should be built, the architects, surveyed by LETA, believe.
The chairman of the Latvian Architects Union, Juris Poga, commented that the architectural image of the library, the so-called "Palace of Light" (Gaismas pils), is a symbol which will never age.
Poga stresses that the image of the library is its unchangeable aspect, while its content will continue to change in selection of modern construction materials, various structures, equipment and furnishings.
Concern about the project's becoming obsolete is absurd, in Poga's mind.
In constructing Birkerts' project, Latvia would have an edifice as significant as buildings characteristic of Riga - the Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church, the Latvian National Opera, State Museum of Art, Central Market's pavilions and others. Birkerts' architecture is modern but it is not subject to popular trends.
LNB must be constructed because libraries in Latvia are usually located on premises meant for other purposes, Poga says.
Ivars Strautmanis, head of the Riga Technical University's Architecture Faculty, also believes that the LNB project has symbolical meaning because it was worked out during the freedom-bringing Reawakening Movement.
Birkerts' image of the library is excellent architecture, topical also today, and the project should be implemented, making the library a national cultural center.
If the government fails to buy land plots, which are needed for construction of the library, without delay, the project could fail to be implemented, Strautmanis believes, adding that a decision on the implementation of the project would be evidence that the government is indeed concerned about culture.
Kaspars Martinsons LETA
Copyright © LETA
The chairman of the Latvian Architects Union, Juris Poga, commented that the architectural image of the library, the so-called "Palace of Light" (Gaismas pils), is a symbol which will never age.
Poga stresses that the image of the library is its unchangeable aspect, while its content will continue to change in selection of modern construction materials, various structures, equipment and furnishings.
Concern about the project's becoming obsolete is absurd, in Poga's mind.
In constructing Birkerts' project, Latvia would have an edifice as significant as buildings characteristic of Riga - the Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church, the Latvian National Opera, State Museum of Art, Central Market's pavilions and others. Birkerts' architecture is modern but it is not subject to popular trends.
LNB must be constructed because libraries in Latvia are usually located on premises meant for other purposes, Poga says.
Ivars Strautmanis, head of the Riga Technical University's Architecture Faculty, also believes that the LNB project has symbolical meaning because it was worked out during the freedom-bringing Reawakening Movement.
Birkerts' image of the library is excellent architecture, topical also today, and the project should be implemented, making the library a national cultural center.
If the government fails to buy land plots, which are needed for construction of the library, without delay, the project could fail to be implemented, Strautmanis believes, adding that a decision on the implementation of the project would be evidence that the government is indeed concerned about culture.
Kaspars Martinsons LETA
Copyright © LETA
