2022-09-25

“Kelprojektas” vision in the architectural competition of the Port Authority

“Kelprojektas” together with a team of architects – P. Džervus, T. Vileikis, A. Barzda, T. Umbrasas, took the 3rd place in the Klaipėda port architectural ideas competition, where they presented their vision with the “Uola” project, what the administrative building of the Port Authority could look like and a newly formed quay for mooring cruise ships.

After more than a month of publicizing the works, public hearing and all mandatory public procurement procedures, the winner was chosen – the Curonian Gate project. The author of the project is UAB “Statybos inžinierių konsultanų biuras”, architects – Gintaras Čaikauskas, Andrius Keizikas, Arnas Deltuva, Viktoras Čeika, Jokūbas Augutis.

The purpose of the open (international) project competition was to select the most suitable solution for the design of the quay for mooring cruise ships and the new administrative building of the Port Authority, which meets urban, architectural and other functional aspects and other requirements. The Port Authority plans to enter into a contract for the purchase of design services with the first place winner of the tender.

The planned new administrative building of the Port Authority would be built on the newly formed quay for mooring cruise ships on the plot owned by the Port Authority by right of trust near the quays of the Winter Port. It is for this reason that it was decided to combine and implement these projects together, thus creating new public spaces.

Not considering the pandemic period, which stopped cruise shipping, Klaipėda does not have enough space for cruise ships to moor. Every year, the Port Authority has to say “no” to about 10 cruise ships expressing their desire to call Klaipėda simply because of the lack of space, so a decision was made to build a new quay, which would allow to receive even more cruise ships and foreign tourists arriving on them.

The current building, which houses the administration of the Port Authority, was built in 1980. After the analysis, it was found that it needs major repairs, which will require considerable costs. A decision was made to build a new building, which requires high architectural and engineering quality and innovativeness. According to the established energy efficiency requirements, the energy efficiency class of the new administrative building is A++, i.e. a building that uses almost no energy. Innovative office solutions would ensure excellent working environment conditions (both in terms of microclimate and aesthetic aspects) for employees, and it would also house not only the administration of the Port Authority, but also the Ship Traffic Service (LET).