On March 6, during a ceremony at the Ziemeļblāzma Culture Palace in Rīga, the Latvia’s Construction of the Year Awards 2024 were presented. Among the winners, the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School’s Learning Center reconstruction project received the highest recognition in the "Reconstruction" category.
This project was implemented with co-financing from the European Union (EU) funds under the Ministry of Education and Science’s supervision, creating new opportunities and promoting the development of vocational education in Latvia.
The reconstructed building is located in the historic center of Kuldīga, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Construction began on June 29, 2021, with a total cost of €7,505,327.40.
From an Abandoned Ruin to a Modern Technology Center
The reconstruction of the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School’s Learning Center was one of the most complex EU-funded education infrastructure projects in Kuldīga. The project was driven by an ambitious vision—to address the shortage of school space and modern workshops by transforming a historical but severely deteriorated building into a state-of-the-art learning environment.
In collaboration with the State Education Development Agency, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Kuldīga Municipality, and the city’s construction authority, a historic Tsar-era needle factory was acquired for redevelopment. Over the years, the building had served various purposes—during Latvia’s first period of independence, it housed a police station, while during the Soviet era, it functioned as a city hospital. However, due to years of neglect, the building had fallen into a critical state. The roof and attic had collapsed, and most of the interior floors had crumbled.
To preserve the building’s historical value while adapting it to modern needs, an architectural design competition was held. The winning concept, proposed by architects Gints Vaivars and Liene Griezīte, aimed to retain the historic character of the building while integrating two modern extensions.
Construction Challenges and Achievements
The project required nearly four years of intensive work, combining various financial sources, including EU funds managed by the Ministry of Education and Science, along with co-financing from the Kuldīga Municipality.
Several technical and organizational challenges arose during the reconstruction process. One of the most demanding tasks was the restoration and reinforcement of the historical foundations. A particularly complex stage involved constructing the underground level on the courtyard side. During this phase, the city experienced the heaviest rainfall in a decade, causing underground water infiltration and requiring advanced waterproofing and structural reinforcement solutions.
To meet modern safety and sustainability standards, the building’s structure was reinforced and adapted, while its historical authenticity was preserved. Special attention was given to restoring the original wooden windows and doors, ensuring compliance with energy efficiency standards to harmonize heritage conservation with contemporary requirements.
Beyond technical difficulties, external factors also posed challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic led to work restrictions, the cost of construction materials soared, and the preservation of the historic structure required innovative engineering solutions.
Thanks to professional collaboration between the State Education Development Agency, the Ministry of Education and Science, architects, construction teams, and project supervisors, the reconstruction was successfully completed in May 2024, ensuring the building’s long-term sustainability and historical integrity.
A Modern Learning Environment for Future Professionals
The newly transformed technology center now features:
food technology laboratories,
theoretical training classrooms,
woodworking and restoration workshops.
This project stands as a testament to vision, perseverance, and collaboration, proving that even the most complex challenges can be turned into success stories. It serves as an inspiration for the advancement of vocational education in Latvia, benefiting the next generations of students at the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School.
This is the second prestigious award received by the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School. At the end of last year, the school was recognized as one of Latvia’s outstanding architectural landmarks.
Now in its 11th year, the Latvia’s Construction of the Year Awards competition is organized by the Building Design and Construction Council (BDCC), led by Gunita Jansone and Agrita Lūse. In 2024, 149 projects were submitted for consideration.
Papildus informācija:
https://www.kuldigastehnikums.lv/index.php/sam-8-1-3/
Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra
Latvijas Būvniecības Gada balva 2024
