Riga Building College
Renovation and extension of a school
A SERIE OF AMBITIONS DEVELOPED DURING THE COMPETITION
three new volumes form one whole
a building as a construction site
the school is opening up to the park and the city
A – existing building – classrooms & school restaurant
B- new construction – bike parking, library & classrooms
C – new construction – car parking, workshop spaces & classrooms
D – new construction – sport hall, auditorium, computer room & administration
E – new construction – public restaurant & student housing
construction workshop between the school and the park
a new public entrance from the park
saw tooth roof for special qualities
sport hall toward the park
the courtyard as a strong logistic axe
public functions to bring the city closer to the school
generous shared spaces to enhance student community
minimal units for the student bedroom
SCHEME DESIGN RESEARCH
basement floor
park entrance
basement floor
park entrance
first floor
cafeteria
second floor
sport hall
third floor
library
fourth floor
suspended auditorium
fifth floor
classroom balcony
administration wing
rooftop terrace
long section – C building
A LANDSCAPE OF TEACHING ROOM
short section – C building
standard classroom – B building
long section – D building
modular classroom – C building
long section – D building
construction workshop – D building
long section – E building
computer rooms – D building
short section – E building
auditorium – D building
FACADE RESEARCH
BUILDING B
BUILDING C
BUILDING D
BUILDING E
Riga Building College
Renovation and extension of a school
Year: 2021
Status: Competition
Program: Education
Location: Riga, Latvia
Budget: 30.000.000 exc. VAT
Surface: 8700 m²
Collaboration: Sampling Architects
Client: Rīgas Celtniecības koledža
Landscape: Lokus
The RCK school in Riga is a ‘building college’, offering courses from bricklaying and plumbing to architectural design and restauration techniques. Our project for the extension of the building intends to create a place of experimentation and learning with materials and construction techniques. The project is thought as a construction site, a thriving environment where everyone could test, build, and show their work.
We want to open up the school to the city, and share the atmosphere and the equipment of the school to the people of Riga. Two ‘inner streets’ now cross the building in length and width. One of them gives access and view on a sports hall open to the public, to the green inner courtyard and to the big workshop spaces. A second inner street, more discreet, cuts through the building to allow the crossing of the block from and towards the park.
The new building aims to create a new, inviting expression towards the park and the Academy of Science tower. The façade is a showcase for the work and activities of the students, the park is redesigned to make it a enjoyable hangout spot for those who live the daily life of the neighborhood. the new student housing building finds its place by the park, the cafeteria on the ground floor opens up to the green, offering a connexion between students and citizens.