The bank is the first office building in the newly shaped block, and is a unique interpretation of the planned urban/architectural block concept. The building was created to be open and inviting, and involving both visitors and employees. It consists of two separate 10-storey volumes, connected by a transparent vertical unit. The volumes are covered by a rectangular single storey roof slab on the top. The free area under the roof creates a new kind of space. This space attempts to blur the boundaries between the inside and the outside, to create pleasant surroundings and a comfortable and smooth entrance to the bank from the outside space. Also, the outdoor space of Skanstes street seems to be ‘sucked in’ under the roof plane, and in spite of the short front of the building, it creates a spatial connection with the busy Skanstes street.
Name
DnB
Purpose
Bank headquarters
Location
Skanstes str. 12, Riga, Latvia
Area
14 445 m2
Competition
2007
Project
2007-2008
Construction
2008-2010
Client
Skanstes 12, SIA
Architects
Audrius Ambrasas, Mindaugas Reklaitis, Monika Sriubaitė
Interior design
XYZ, Ltd.
Downloads
DnB