Learning centre in Mārupe
The building was designed with maximum economy in mind. This applies to both economical construction and economical building maintenance and saving resources. A heat pump is used for heating, solar panels are installed on the roof. External blinds protect the windows from overheating.
The client of the training center is a local company that has created a place for growth, technology acquisition and training for existing and new employees. It will also be possible to use the building for holding seminars and lectures for the local municipality and the residents of the neighborhood.
In the center of the building is a green courtyard, around which all four functional blocks of the building are located, creating a pure cross shape in plan. All technical rooms, vent chambers and escape stairs are brought out of this shape. In the outdoor space, all four front yards are located in the corners of the building – green areas with a terrace, benches and bike racks.
The new building of the Learning Centre is located in the suburban industrial zone, therefore, in order to fit into the context, the shape of the building is designed in an industrial style using appropriate design elements: concrete core, metal scaffolding, metal shipping containers and wire mesh for vertical plantings.
The building has a reinforced concrete structure. The load-bearing reinforced concrete elements and parts of the walls also form the interior of the learning center. The walls are designed as niches for rooms, built-in furniture and utilities, avoiding the irrational use of additional materials. The harmony of the interior is created by the balance between concrete and wood. The overall mood is created by the range of sand and forest tones of the Baltic Sea coast.