Mindaugas Savickas

Mindaugas Savickas

Opleiding
Architectuur
Lichting
2014

Baltic Notes. Re-Arch for a music machine

Experiment
This project is an architectural experiment on how to reuse waterfront industrial heritage for cultural purposes. Inspired and driven by the changes happening on the shipyard territory of the Baltic harbor-city Klaipeda.

Context
With its Prussian, German, Soviet and Lithuanian history Klaipeda provides visitors and inhabitants with a rich cultural context. It is a unique urban collage with abandoned, but remarkable 20th century industrial complex – ‘Schiffswerft Memel - Lindenau und cie’ (1919) contrasting with the medieval castle fortifications on the delta of an old river. City inhabitants as well as visitors gather here to celebrate the biggest events of the year, such as Sea Festival, Tall Ship Races, annual Castle Jazz and Song Festivals, etc. The site is turning into a vibrant celebration place.

Incentive
Klaipeda’s music students lack quality conditions for their development. There are three music schools in the old town area. They accommodate 400-500 students a year. However the facilities are 60 to 80 years old and are poorly equipped considering music practice. Meeting the highest standarts is the new ambition of Klaipeda, which is recently becoming a musical harbour of the Baltic sea due to its proactive posture in entertainment business. Therefore I suggest a new accommodation in the center of city activities.

Approach
At the spot where WWII german steel ships were made, I propose a learning platform for young and adult musicians. It is a play-full Music Factory under an industrial roof of a former ship berth. This state protected heritage was used to host ships and operated cranes and rails bringing those ships from the water basin. Now all of this will be employed to create an adaptable practice space. It will also work as a 'Back-up-stage' benefiting the new Castle Podium.

Developing this new learning platform is like building ships. Large steel volumes stand freely ‘floating’ within the existing structure engaged in a balanced dialog.

Programme
The school programme is gathered inside these ‘musical ships’. Main practice halls are located on the ground floor utilizing the rail tracks, this way enabling podium and audience platforms be adapted for various genres of music practices. Cranes are operating mobile recording studios and are able to adjust ceiling height to meet the delicate reverberation times. Other functions like a café on the waterside will be open for public and accommodate intimate ‘free of charge’ student concerts. Meanwhile private school functions will be located on the upper floors. 55 individual and group practice rooms will accommodate ca. 300 students and ca. 100 teachers. A lifted ‘deck’ (+7,50m) will facilitate the aula of the school with a music library and a study floor employing an inspiring view of the marine panorama.

Impact
It is a Re-Arch operation where war mashines start playing music, giving a new purpose for the whole public waterfront and setting an example for the future developments.

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