RECONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING COMPLEX OF JONUŠAS RADVILA PALACE

TYPE OF INVESTMENT: PUBLIC FACILITY

INVESTOR: LITHUANIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART

LOCATION: VILNIUS

WXCA TEAM: SZCZEPAN WROŃSKI, MAŁGORZATA DEMBOWSKA, KRZYSZTOF MOSKAŁA, ADRIANNA MANISTA

VISUALISATIONS: PIXELCRAFT

AWARDS: FOURTH PLACE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING COMPLEX OF JONUŠAS RADVILA PALACE IN VILNIUS ORGANIZED BY THE LITHUANIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART

 

The concept of expanding the historic Jonušas Radvila Palace is an idea for a meeting place for the inhabitants of Vilnius with art in a space that exposes its multi-layered history. Its contemporary layer, which is strongly linked to its context, emphasises the continuity of design thought over several hundred years, from the time the building was constructed.

Historic façade and contemporary details

The assumption was to design the extension of the historic building in such a way as to respect the original shape of the building, including the sloping roofs. The Jonušas Radvil Palace has been a witness and participant in history since the 17th century, and traces of various eras can be seen. It was decided to respect the complex fate of the palace and proposed a calm and noble architecture that reflects the idea of its first designer. The clean and economical architectural form allows you to bring out the values of the historic building. Contemporary solutions and details correspond with the historic façade and complement the historic building in a balanced way. Designed in this way, the extension and, in part, the reconstruction of the palace focuses attention on the entire building, highlighting its individual parts in an even manner.

City garden

According to the concept, the space around the palace should become, an attractive, representative place integrated into the urban fabric of Vilnius, which will best serve its residents. The courtyard is enriched by the proposed two separate public zones – an amphitheatre in the central area and a green square that can also function as an outdoor exhibition space. The focus was on creating a place that would become a link between the museum and the city. The designed solutions allow the entire space to be used for various activities – for lectures, concerts, exhibitions or simply for meetings of the residents.

The open structure of the entire complex encourages contact with the art and the museum’s multi-faceted offer. This openness is also symbolised by the new glass entrance to the museum, designed in an alcove on the axis of the palace. Together with a garden full of greenery, the museum would create an attractive, spontaneous meeting place with art and would respond to the contemporary needs of the city and its residents.

?