The University of Latvia has successfully completed the construction of the House of Science at the Academic Centre in Torņakalns, creating the newest and most modern study and research centre in Latvia. With its construction, the University of Latvia's (UL) scientific, medical and life sciences study and research areas will be concentrated in one place, promoting synergy between study and research areas and ensuring efficient use of resources.
Currently, UL is also working on the further development of the Academic Centre. By 2022, the third and largest building of the Academic Centre, the House of Letters, will be completed and equipped to support the research and study areas of the social sciences and humanities. In total, the Academic Centre will include four study and research buildings - the House of Nature (life and natural sciences), the House of Science (sciences and medicine), the House of Letters (social sciences and humanities), House of Technologies, as well as dormitories, an academic plaza, modern sports infrastructure, car and bicycle parking. The first study and research building of the Academic Centre, House of Nature, was completed in 2015.
The newly opened House of Science will be equipped with 78 modern scientific and teaching laboratories, which will accommodate both existing and new high-level equipment. The state-of-the-art working conditions will help attract young and capable scientists to work in local scientific institutions, as well as foreign researchers and experts. Foreign research institutions are expected to become more interested in cooperation and joint international research projects, including for funding from EU research and innovation programmes.
The House of Science building is designed according to the principles of a smart home, with high energy efficiency. The building's heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting systems are automated and can be individually programmed to save resources.
The House of Science has a total floor area of 20 000 square metres. It can accommodate up to 2000 students and has created workplaces for 450 scientific and academic staff.
The construction of the Houses of Science and Nature at the Academic Centre is one of the most successful examples of the use of EU Structural Funds in the Latvian education and science sector.
Total project amount: €12 231 585
ERDF: EUR 10 396 847
For more information about the House of Science - https://www.akademiskaiscentrs.lu.lv/en/our-houses/2019-house-of-science/
