Competition News: David Adjaye, Henning Larsen and Caruso St John in the frame to design landmark Latvia museum
Seven international architecture studios have been shortlisted to design the landmark new home for the Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art in Riga.
Henning Larsen Architects, Caruso St John, Neutelings Riedijk and Adjaye Associates are among the big names in contention for the €30m (US$32.6m, £22.8m) project to create “a cultural and arts centre of interregional significance.”
“Creating a museum, which can compete with others around the world is a specialised challenge, so in the competition we have sought to concentrate on international designers who are experienced in this field,” said chair of the Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation (LMoCAF), Romans Surnacovs.
German firm Sauerbruch Hutton, US studio wHY and Finnish architects Lahdelma & Mahlamäki round up the shortlist.
Twenty-five international practices were invited to submit their credentials for the project, which must be both environmentally sustainable and an "architectural tour de force".
"The selection of the architects was made by balancing skills, talent and ability as shown in past projects,” said competition organiser, Malcolm Reading. “Knowledge and experience of contemporary art display was important, but so was cultural and civic placemaking, as a fascinating element of the project is trying to make a new place in this part of Riga.
“Additionally, understanding the realities of designing public and cultural buildings along with awareness and experience of designing for different climates and sustainability was taken into consideration."
The competition judges chose the final shortlist by looking at the previous projects designed by the studios.
David Adjaye's firm was selected for its work on the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C; Caruso St John were recognised for their Newport Street Gallery in London; and Henning Larsen were considered for their design of the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus.
The concept designs will be developed in association with seven local architectural practices, who Surnacovs said would be given “a chance to shine.” He added: “As with any serious creative endeavour, it is the will to contribute knowledge that leads to ultimate success."
Latvian firms – who are invited to put themselves forward for consideration by mid-February 2016 – will consult on local building materials and standards; outlook, ideals and values; and the specifics of local climate and visitor behaviour.
The competition is funded by the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation and the ABLV Charitable Foundation, who are working closely with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
An exhibition of concept designs will be organised in early Q2 and the competition winner will be revealed in late May.
The Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art will be home to a collection of art from Latvia and the Baltic countries from the 1960s to the present day.
The full shortlist:
• Adjaye Associates
• Architects Lahdelma & Mahlamäki
• Caruso St John Architects
• Henning Larsen Architects
• Neutelings Riedijk Architects
• Sauerbruch Hutton
• wHY
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