ESTONIAN EMBASSY IN VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
Competition entry, 1st prize
Project: 1996
Completed: 1998
Location: About 300 m from the Lithuanian parliament building, in an area not far away from the bustle of the downtown core and bordered by the river. The part of town is rather green and architecturally varied.
Typology: Representation, office and living quarters.
The functions are divided into two wings: the street side three and a half storey section and the part towards the interior of the lot that contains the hall beneath which is the service and recreational areas (sauna). In terms of city planning the corner lot uses an unconventional design. The hall that is set back from the street creates a terrace garden that receives southern and evening sunlight. The three and a half storey building actual has seven half floors each with a distinct function. As the floors are set back from one another the entire space is easy to follow through, as there are no corridors. The building's two facades represent Estonian image. The street side is of blue stained limestone tiles and the other facade uses hanging green glass. The grandeur of the embassy is the result not of size but the impression. The building only appears to have 'too simple' facades and clear definitions – they only mirror the functions within the building and around it and change as does the light and events inside.
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