Best architectural proposals for construction of a new Hansabankas Head Office have been selected
2005-03-24 Back
Yesterday, selected were three best architectural proposals for construction of a new Hansabankas Head Office following the final stage of the competition of 22 projects organized by Lithuanian Architects Union. Further negotiations are planned to be held with the first and second place winners concerning the elaboration of the proposals. The competition was organized by Lithuanian Architects Union, and the proposed projects have been evaluated by a panel of 4 architects and 3 employees of the Bank.
The best solution was recognized the proposal made by a group of architects headed by architect Audrius Ambrasas. The basis of their architectural solution is a complex of two high buildings joined together and a lower building facing the Neris River. This project was recognized best given its "smooth" merger with the neighborhood of Constitution Avenue, nearby buildings and landscape at the Neris River and its slopes.
Says Mr. Aleksandras Luksas, secretary of the complementation and member of Lithuanian Architects Union: "The building looks as if melting into the nature's background: the lower, planar part of the building faces the river, and green slopes of the river look as if melting into the complex of the buildings". Besides, according to the Secretary, the proposed project had been designed very professionally and stands out because of a creative approach. For instance, a pedestrian lane starting from the Central Department Store is creatively integrated into the entire complex of buildings.
The second place went to the proposal created by a group of architects headed by architect Rolandas Palekas. Third place winner was the proposal made by a group headed by Tadas Balciunas. One of these works is a transparent cube, the other one - a low building with "bracket" lines hanging on the slope of the river.
Two more participants of the competition will receive the so-called "incentive prizes" (despite that it had not been envisaged prior to the competition). According to Mr. Luksas, the panel has not evaluated late proposals or those that were not complete in terms of scope. As to some other proposals, Ethics Commission of Lithuanian Architects Union was addressed in order to identity their authenticity.
Says Giedrius Dusevicius, Chairman of Board of Hansabankas: "We are grateful to Lithuanian Architects Union for the competition organized in such a professional way and would like to thank the architects for their active participation and coming forward with so many original proposals and ideas. We hope that following further discussions with architects and the upgrading of the projects, a building of exceptional value will be created so that to tune it best to the newly emerging center of the capital-city. All these developments and events are expected to contribute to the creation of an image of Hansabankas, as a modern financial institution, and help us, in addition to optimal organization of our activities, to create best working conditions for all our employees and customers".
Currently, architectural proposals are displayed in the building of Lithuanian Architects Union (address: 1, Kalvariju Street, Vilnius) from 09:00 to 17:00 on all workdays. The exposition closes in late March.
A new Head Office building of Hansabankas will be built at the Constitution Avenue, in Vilnius. Moved to the new building will be the staff of the Head Office, Vilnius Regional Branch and the Bank's subsidiaries: all these units to-date are located in 9 different buildings in Vilnius.
We hope that the new building will provide more space and better working conditions for our staff and lead to further boosting of the Bank's performance. This, in turn, is thought to result in higher customer expectations and better services to them. In addition, all these factors are believed to be essential for the creation of an image of Hansabankas, as a modern financial institution.
The new building will be built at the Constitution Avenue, near the "Reval Hotel Lietuva". The Bank signed an agreement on acquisition of a land plot with the seller, AB Viesbutis "Lietuva".
Hansabankas belongs to Hansabank, the largest financial services group in the Baltics. Its strategic investor is Swedish bank, Swedbank. Lithuanian Hansabankas group consists of "Hanza Lizingas", "Hansa Gyvybes Draudimas", "Hansa Investiciju Valdymas", "Baltijos Autolizingas" and "Hansa Draudimo Brokeris".
