Laima

More pictures from the project

Address: Riga, Latvia
Size: housing, approx. 20,000 m², shops approx. 8,000 m², business approx. 13,000 m², hotel approx. 9,000 m²
Client: TK Development
Architect: Arkitema
Status: Not constructed

The Laima plan is a general plan and volume study of an urban area in Riga. The area is centrally located in the city, close to the historical town centre, east of the Daugava river. Overall, the plan is divided into five areas: a plinth, a housing complex, a shopping and business area, a hotel tower and a green courtyard which stretches between these areas.
The plinth is a common linking element which begins as a square and grows in a winding, ramp-like movement up the terrain. Along the shopping street it becomes an actual plinth – a base for the building bodies located above.
A number of residential buildings are established as a coherent structure, forming a dense, block-like facade along the street, while on the courtyard side these open up and occupy the green space. The housing complex consists of a number of L-shaped buildings, set at angles and offset in relation to each other. Shops and business properties have been proposed in continuation of the housing, using the same architectural form language.
The coherent shopping and business property area will culminate in a tower – a hotel which will provide a landmark for the new area. In the centre of the site, the common green area provides space for recreation and relaxation.