V-PLAZA. LITHUANIA
Urban Development & New Mobility
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Visionary square design for meeting, communication & new mobility
As part of a contract for the construction and renovation of several inner-city buildings, 3deluxe was given the opportunity to rethink the generous open spaces between the buildings in the center of the Lithuanian city of Kaunas.
The result is a modern concept that takes into account all aspects of contemporary urban design: Instead of parking lots and dreary open spaces with nothing to offer, there is now an attractive square that connects people and brings quality of life to the city. Together with the development of the associated building ensemble, this project has won numerous design and architecture awards.
| Type | Urban development |
| Service phases (HOAI) | SP 1 to SP 5 |
| Location | Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Year | 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| GFA plaza | 15.400 m² |
| Client | SBA Group |
| Executive architect Lithuania | Giedraitis & architektai |
| Concrete free forms | Mind work ramps, Latvia |
| Lighting | UAB korgas |
| Photography | Norbert Tukaj, Sascha Jahnke |
»The plaza project, which has won numerous awards, shows what the urban space of tomorrow can look like.«
FRANK MERTENS – EDITOR ELECTRIFIED. MAGAZIN FOR MOBILIY, SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITAL
New mobility & more community!
In the midst of a newly designed building ensemble boasting bright facades and ultramodern workspaces the German architecture practice has created a visionary plaza that is a celebration of contemporary mobility. Cyclists and scooters cruise along organically curved levels, between them oases of tranquility, water features, cafes and restaurants.
This hybrid of skatepark, playground and urbane living room has now opened – the perfect venue for a young, dynamic society. Cool Lithuania!
What was previously a largely unused space adjoined by historical buildings is now becoming a new, inviting public amenity where you can casually enjoy a coffee in your lunch break or get some work done outdoors while children play in the water, young people skate and students relax in the sun…
V-Plaza – Urban Development
This is certainly the new now in Kaunas, a city in Lithuania which, with the help of 3deluxe, has brought to life a future-oriented architectural concept that sets new impulses and is geared towards the communicative needs of a young and dynamic generation.
The history-steeped “Unity Square” with its impressive buildings from different eras has been redesigned to reflect the innovative spirit of a country considered to be a pioneer of digitization.
The extraordinary design sets off the extensive façades to bright and cheerful effect, creates modern workspaces, and uses organically shaped green spaces, curved pathways, seating levels and the latest technology to transform the space into inspiring terrain with an urban ambiance.
The real challenge was to preserve cultural heritage while creating space for social transformation. And the solution was innovative architecture that caters to the needs of today’s society: bright, friendly, open and connecting.
Back in 2016 3deluxe was commissioned with the complete transformation of the central square, together with the buildings that adjoin it on its eastern side – three new builds and two renovations, along with an underground garage that extends beneath the entire square.
The square:
new quality of life across 22,000 square meters
A historical square is transformed: 3deluxe initially developed two design levels that structure the entire surface as a grid made up of visible lines on the ground.
One is linear and forms the historical context, in which the existing axes of vision and movement are taken into account. The other level is designed to be organic and fluid, reflecting the natural flows of movement of passers-by.
This structuring gives rise not only to pathways, but also to natural islands, which are enlivened in different ways: a green lawn for sunbathing, a skate park, a programmed fountain complex or a modern event venue.
The natural result is an organic, landscape-like arrangement comprising dynamic thoroughfares, staggered seating and steps, and gently sloping green spaces and water features that connect the different height levels of the square in a seemingly obvious way. The materials used form a welcoming interplay of light granite, wood, and elaborately modelled elements made of white molded concrete. The choice of plants for the green spaces is based on the local flora. Native pine and birch along with insect-friendly grasses and shrubs form the basis of the greening concept.
An artificial stream meanders through the organic concrete landscape with wooden islands, inviting visitors to linger and play, while an interactive fountain installation enlivens the large, flat open space in the square, which can also be used for events, festivals and markets.
The man who is funding the transformation of the square is a passionate skateboarder and wanted to offer skate enthusiasts a new home in the city, hence large parts of the square are laid out to be skater-friendly too. Specialists in skate park construction were therefore brought on board to help realize the challenging free forms developed by 3deluxe.
Another addition, lying opposite the new corner building, is a modern amphitheater, and the frontage facing it can be outfitted with a giant LED screen for public viewings when required.
On this basis, additional mobile elements will be used to bring further life to the square: a pavilion that can be planted in various ways as an urban gardening project, changing installations such as kiosks, food trucks and mobile seating, and a temporary event stage.
All in all, it’s a square to bring people together, to create new opportunities, and to improve the quality of life for people in Kaunas.
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