Developer Greengo (Invego) has launched an open international idea competition for the development of a residential neighbourhood in Šmerlis, Riga. The aim of the competition is to find the best urban and architectural concept for the site, which will form the basis for the future architectural design process and its implementation in smaller and more detailed competitions. The deadline for the submission of proposals is June 21. The total prize fund for the competition is 33,000 euros.
The task of the competition is to create the idea of «future Šmerlis», according to which the territory between Šmerlis and Biķernieki forests (Šmerļa street 3, 5, and 17), bordering the Riga Film Studio, could be built as an attractive and desirable neighborhood for residents of different ages, cultures, origins, and income levels. It is planned to develop the territory of the competition object as a residential area, which will gain value over time, becoming a comfortable and holistic place of residence with interesting architecture, providing residents with a homelike atmosphere both indoors and outdoors.
According to the developer’s vision, the development concept of the neighbourhood is based on people and their well-being, regardless of who they are: seniors or young people, families with or without children, couples of any age, or single people, entrepreneurs or cultural workers, artists, etc. That is why the potential end-users will be offered various housing options: townhouses and multi-apartment buildings with apartments of different spaces and price categories, as well as trade and service facilities, not forgetting the improvement of the outdoor space with recreation and activity areas, parking lots, etc. The architecture of the neighbourhood is also envisioned to be diverse and to include different form languages. It is planned that rental housing in this area will make up approximately 10 to 20 percent of residential buildings.
When creating the public outdoor space of the territory, the developer wants to respect and use the surrounding scenic environment as much as possible, so that it is possible to see the forest or at least the greenery of the public outdoor space from the windows of any house. That is why most apartments should have terraces, balconies, or roof terraces. It is also planned to build a promenade and a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths, connecting the residential area with the Akropole Alfa shopping center.
The total prize fund is 33,000 euros. The winner will receive 20,000 euros, the second place winner 8,000 euros, the third place winner 5,000 euros, and the jury has the right to award a cash prize of 7,000 euros to one or more of the authors of the most original ideas. The deadline for submission of proposals is June 21. For more information on the competition, its rules and design programme, visit the competition website.
Viedokļi