IMPLMNT win contest for arts centre in Panevezys

Earlier this year, a contest was announced for the design of the Stasys Eidrigevicius Arts Centre in the northern part of Panevezys, Lithuania’s fifth largest city. Eidrigevicius is one of the best known and most important contemporary artists in Lithuania and abroad, working in a wide variety of mediums. When he donated his collection to the city, the authorities decided a dedicated centre was required to house and exhibit the items. IMPLMNT Architects have now been announced as winners of the competition process.

The designers drew inspiration from the artworks of Eidrigevičius, taking their cue from his admiration for simplicity, logic, and fantasy in order to create an inviting and flexible space with elements to surprise and intrigue visitors. The building facades are spare, with two types of textured concrete in a spot and line pattern. Inside, the architects propose to fulfill Eidrigevicius' vision of a mosaic, which will also be visible to passers-by.

As well as housing the collection, the brief called for a functional, high-quality building to meet the objectives of city regeneration while promoting art in a community setting. The new centre acts as a bridge between the streets of Krantas and Respublika, creating leisure opportunities including a café, outdoor exhibition area and a space for films, concerts, performances and street art. The inclusion of a new cinema was particularly important, as the centre will replace a movie theatre deemed too expensive to restore. IMPLMNT emphasised their intent to create a design that encouraged new opportunities for the community, stating that they hoped the centre would be “evaluated not only for its aesthetic but also for its functional, value-adding solutions in the social and economic sense."

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This competition was first published by TenderStream on 12.03.2018. See the original brief here

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