LU konference
The construction of the Center for Natural Sciences of the University of Latvia was carried out by the general partnership LNK Industries Group, whose services were procured by the University of Latvia in 2013. The sum of the agreement was EUR 21.18 million excluding VAT. Design and supervision was carried out by the architects’ office Sestais stils.
The general partnership LNK Industries Group began construction of the building in March of 2014 on Jelgavas Street 1 in Riga, in a territory comprised of small private gardens. A time capsule was ceremonially placed in the foundations of the building in late May, containing a message to future generations.
The building is comprised of seven floors and houses auditoriums, laboratories, work and seminar rooms as well as a library. There is a research hospital on the top floor of the building as well as a seminar room with a view of the Old Town of Riga and the recently constructed National Library of Latvia. Wind turbines and solar panels will be placed on the roof of the building, enabling the use of green energy in the future, while all systems within the building will be controlled by “smart home” technologies.
“As builders we were honored to carry out this project. The work began in full speed so the building could be handed over for service by the commissioned deadline so students and staff could begin work in September. The tight deadlines were the most challenging part of the project,” says Jevgenijs Locovs, LNK Industries Group member of the board.
“We invested a lot of work, effort, energy and love so this beautiful building could be completed quickly with the funding we were given. The students and academic staff will be able to study properly and conduct significant scientific research here,” says Kitija Gruškevica, project manager and Deputy Rector of infrastructure of the University of Latvia.
The Center for Natural Sciences houses the faculties of Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Geography and Earth sciences, as well as the department of Optometry and Vision Science which is a part of the faculty of Physics and Mathematics. The Center is also home to the institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology and the institute of Chemical physics. Six National Research Center laboratories are located on the ground floor of the building.
The first two floors of the building are open 24 hours a day. There is a library with a reading room, a café, an amphitheater type auditorium with 300 seats, a student information center, a small kitchen and student council premises.
The classrooms and study laboratories of the Center for Natural Sciences are equipped with world-class scientific and audiovisual equipment. The modern interior which sees use of untreated concrete is brought to life through the use of wood, the curved lines of railings, wall paintings which were done by artist Luīze Avotiņa, glass wall inlays as well as colorful furniture supplied by SIA Coppa.
The project was financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
