Hanzas Perons: Former Cargo Station Revamped into a Culture Venue

Energy and sustainability, Middle Density, Project, Sudraba Arhitektūra, Territory and mobility, Urban Paradigms

Adaptive reuse, Architecture, Culture, Efficiency, Innovation, Latvia, Post-industrial Landscape, Project, Refitting Places, Renovation, Reprogramming, Restoration, Riga, Roof, UNESCO World Heritage, Upcycling, Urban Legacy, Warehouse

Photography: R. Hofmanis
Text by Artis Zvirgzdins (A4D architecture platform, editor-in-chief, www.a4d.lv; European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture — Mies van der Rohe Award, independent expert from Latvia since 2013).

The former cargo railway warehouse, a historic building which dates back to the very beginning of the 20th century, has survived to the present day almost untouched. Its beautiful brick walls, wooden beams, many sliding doors and gates are now covered and wrapped a the new shell made of steel and glass. The venue has been reborn as a concert hall, a platform for culture, art, music and other events.