Latvian National Museum of Art / NRJA

Overview © NRJA

NRJA shared their competition entry for an extension of the Latvian National Museum of Art with us.  The project proposes a reconstruction plan incorporates new features that will not disturb the historical structure of the museum, but will considerably improve its structural and sustainability performance.  The museum sits at a dominant location in the center of Riga and NRJA’s extension seeks to link the existing historical building with a new park gallery.

More about the extension after the break.

For the new park gallery, an organic connection between the entrances of the museum creates new public spaces in form of exhibition halls that are connected by a pedestrian gallery.  This series of galleries is integrated into the park’s landscape, respecting the existing park structure and pathways.

Esplanade View © NRJA

For the museum, the ground floor hall maintains the “representational lobby” with existing entrance from Kr.Valdemara Street.  Administration offices, shop, cloakrooms, and a restaurant are provided on this level.

New Gallery Interior © NRJA

The existing facade will be restored to its historical monochrome gray plaster.

Project team: NRJA (f.l.tadao & Luksevics, ltd.):

Arch. Uldis Luksevics

Arch. Linda Leitane

Arch. assistant Martins Rusins

Arch. Ieva Lace

In collaboration with Prof. Holgers Elers

Existing museum building’s total area – 4,891 sq2
Extension total area – 5,154 sq2
Total area – 10,045 sq2