19.01.2023. – 17.03.2023.
The Power of Details: Excellence, Innovation, Secrets of History

The "Building Design and Construction Council" association is engaged in promoting the sustainable and productive development of the Latvian construction industry. The exhibition prepared by the association dedicated to the achievements of architecture, construction, production of building materials and restoration. The exhibition features objects created in recent years, trying to reveal the most interesting in a broad content spectrum: restored and renovated historical objects, schools, offices, sports buildings, engineering construction projects. Some of the objects displayed in the exhibition have become laureates of the construction industry competition “Latvian Construction Annual Award”. The exhibition pays special attention to the details of the implemented projects, without the quality of which it is impossible to create high-quality objects.

04.07.2022. – 12.01.2023.
Exhibition cycle ‘Never-built Riga. Maps and plans’
Seventh exhibition ‘From Lielrīga to Pierīga Region’

The closing exhibition of the cycle presents the development design plans of the territories adjacent to Riga from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. The exhibition clearly reveals urban planning documents unknown to the public, which played a significant role in local government decision-making process but were not publicly available during the Soviet era. The occupation regime had imposed its mark on projects for for service use, in secrecy or top secret. Soviet-era urban planners worked on the social utopia inspired by the ideas of the Communist Party in the conditions of the total economic failure of the totalitarian regime. No less interesting are the efforts of modern spatial planners to control the development of Pierīga in the conditions of a market economy. The exhibition asks the question – where to look for the causes of problems, or in the prevailing ideology, or in the mastery or lack of thereof?

The exhibition features plans and pictures from the collection of the Latvian Museum of Architecture, aerial photos by Juris Kalniņš and visuals from the collection of Jānis Lejnieks.

16.02.2022.–08.04.2022
“Be Yourself”

This is now the third time that Riga's Design and Art School is exhibiting students' work in the Latvian Museum of Architecture. On view are examples from five of the eleven departments shaping the school's curriculum, namely interior design, ceramics, woodcraft, textile and metal design departments. On display are final year exam submissions as well as other items which students completed throughout the academic year 2020-2021. The importance of shape within a design, combined with a sound comprehension of the material used, is what unites these exhibits. By employing minimal expression techniques it is possible to create a convincing functional and esthetically qualitative work.

11.06.2021. – 10.09.2021.
Exhibition cycle “Never-built Riga. Maps and plans”
Sixth exhibition:  “ From Factories till Industrial Parks”

During the period leading up to World War I, Riga’s industry and population was growing at a rapid rate. Riga became one of Russia’s first major train and aviation manufacturing centres. During World War I, in 1915, the Russian Ministry ordered the evacuation of factories. It was a devastating blow to Riga’s industry; factories were completely dismantled. After the war, the capital city of the newly formed Latvian state had to rebuild its industry from the ground up. The Soviet regime radically changed the trajectory of Riga’s urban development. After World War II, the All-Union Ministry started building factories and microdistricts to accommodate the laborers that came flooding from Russia. After 1991, the century-old factory buildings underwent drastic changes – they were either demolished or, in the best-case scenario, converted into high-class residential complexes. The exhibition features plans and pictures from the collection of the Latvian Museum of Architecture, aerial photos by Juris Kalniņš and visuals from the collection of Jānis Lejnieks.

01.10.2020.–20.11.2020
 “Nordic Sustainable Cities”

From loneliness the elderly to urban floods to air pollution – cities around the world face enormous yet similar challenges. The UN Agenda 2030 provides a framework for solving many of these challenges The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 specifically outlines the crucial role that cities and communities play. But as the exhibition shows, urban solutions are not restricted to Goal 11, but connected to many of the other goals. In this exhibition you’ll find some the solutions that Nordic architects and engineers are already working on within the fields of health, mobility, low carbon, circular economy and resilience.
The exhibition is funded by Nordic Innovation and created by the Danish Architecture Center (DK), Design and Architecture Norway (NO), ArkDes & Form/Design Center (SE), Iceland Design Center (IS) and Archinfo (FI).

16.07.2020.–18.09.2020
"Architect Andrejs Holcmanis – 100”

The researcher of Rīga Old Town and co-author of its regeneration project Andrejs Holcmanis (1920-2009) is more known in professional circles as an active collector and protector of historical heritage, and as a personality with unique knowledge. This was the architect's visible contribution, overshadowing his activities in the field of architectural design. Holcmanis’ designs of public low-rise residential buildings and summer houses made in Latvia and during exile in Krasnoyarsk region in Russia, are unknown to wider public.
Holcmanis was one of the few architects who actively influenced the processes important for the development of the postwar Rīga. After World War II, ambitious plans for the restoration and development of cities were created, yet only partly realized. Starting from 1945 Holcmanis turned to researching the Old Town’s urban ensemble. The architect generously shared his knowledge with colleagues, students and ordinary listeners, read lectures and lecture cycles (more than 1000 appearances) and guided tours around Rīga and Latvia.

29.01.2020.–20.03.2020
Photo exhibition “The Sixties: Looking at the City”

More than a half a century has passed since Sixties and this distance allows confidently talking about that the time as a unique period that reshaped lifestyles of millions of people around the globe. First and foremost it was the time of freedoms and hopes that came to light through student protests and sexual revolution in the West and warming of the political climate in the Soviet Union as a result of the de-Stalinisation. Changes also manifested themselves in a utopian view of the city reflected on both sides of the Iron Curtain. This exhibition offers an opportunity to see  the Sixties city through photographic lens. The exhibition shows works of Vladimirs Gailis (2017–2009), Gunārs Binde (b. 1933), Laimonis Stīpnieks (b. 1936) and Māra Brašmane (b. 1944). Curator of the exhibition – Jekaterina Vikuļina, designer – Egils Mednis.

22.11.2019–10.01.2020
Solo exhibition by Edīte Pauls-Vīgnere “Taste of Vine”

Edīte Pauls-Vīgnere is one of best known Latvian textile artists. In the early 1970s she presented herself as a bright individual, creating large-scale, ambiguous and technically sophisticated compositions. The coexistence of different surfaces and materials, just like viewing in the theatre, can be seen in the small forms displayed
in this exhibition, featuring colour, reflections of lace patterns, a special touch of glass and the interplay of materials. New, previously unseen works created between 2017 and 2019 in a unique technique are exhibited here. They show how a traditional painting interacts with contemporary fiber art in the result of creativity. The theme of glass, uniting the works entwined with glasses, goblets, bowls and beads, is a tribute to the artist’s Grandpa, the Iļģuciems glassblower Ādolfs Pauls. The artist was inspired by her beloved Persian poet Omar Khayyam.

19.09.2019–15.11.2019
“Photo / Graphics”

Architect Peter Venckovich in his travels always focuses on the light and color that is shaping form, matching it with history, atmosphere and architecture of the place. One part of the exhibition consists of photographs taken from 2007 to 2019 in different parts of the world. The second part consists of posters graphically analyzing and depicting the relationships between scale and time, from the great artists of art, music and architecture of Renaissance era (“Time”), French 18th century architects – visionaries (“Boullée – Ledoux”) to the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York, the Heops Pyramid and the “Three Brothers” in Riga Old Town (“Scale 1995–2014”) etc.

21.06.2019–10.09.2019
 “Microdistricts. Splendour and Disaster”

The fifth exhibition from the exhibition series analyses the construction from 1960 to 1980. Soviet regime, taking inspiration from European models, significantly transformed the city’s outlying. During 1990s, denationalization and privatization brought changes to property rights to housing and land. The apartment’s owners had become pledgers for their property – as the multi-storey buildings are located on private land, the proprietor must pay for it. The public spaces in microdistricts underwent prominent changes.

18.05.2019–14.06.2019
 “Draft”

Latvian photographer turns to the Riga metro project emphasizing its uniqueness in terms of the utopian technical solutions and its importance in the socio-political processes in Riga in the late 1980s. Now 30 years have passed since the idea about the metro was discarded and since then a new generation has grown up. They don’t see the metro construction project as a threat, but rather as an unimplemented exotic project, which would place Riga next to other developed metropolitan cities.
In the exhibition the author offers a partially fictitious story, where historical evidence and documents undergo contemporary interpretation. The metro idea is visualized, finding inspiration in social, architectonic and scientifically technical aspects.

26.03.2019–14.05.2019
“The Architectural Drawing. 18th–19th Century”

Historically, hand-drawn architectural sketches have fulfilled various functions besides serving as technical drawings. Until the very recent past, grayscale and coloured drawings, as well as building models were the only means by which an architect could visually demonstrate a client or competition jury his or her design. Furthermore, the link between the brain and hand is well established scientifically – drawing as a process accumulates the brain’s mental activity.  The hand is an instrument that not only captures and puts down ideas on paper, but also helps develop them further. The Latvian Museum of Architecture’s collection holds 15,000 items. The majority of the collection consists of architects’ original drawings that have been preserved since the end of the 18th century till the present day. The exhibition features items from the archives of the Latvian Museum of Architecture with additional pieces from the Latvian National Library and private collections.

17.01.2019–15.03.2019
 “Sense of Place’’”

This is now the second time that Riga's Design and Art School is exhibiting students' work in the Latvian Museum of Architecture. On view are examples from eight of the eleven departments shaping the school's curriculum, namely interior design, advertising, ceramics, woodcraft, textile, metal, leather and glass departments. On display are final year exam submissions as well as other items which students completed throughout the academic year 2018-2019. The importance of shape within a design, combined with a sound comprehension of the material used, is what unites these exhibits. By employing minimal expression techniques it is possible to create a convincing functional and esthetically qualitative work.

02.11.2018–11.01.2019
 “The Inspection”

On 30 September 1988, at the time when aspirations for independence are building up among the people of Latvia, the State Inspection for Heritage Protection was established, a body that has carried out the identification, research of cultural heritage and performed the registration and control of listed national cultural monuments for thirty years. The exhibition is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the institution responsible for heritage protection. It does not clime to provide a comprehensive account of the history, but rather focuses only on certain accents characterizing the period of time. In heritage protection there is no such thing as absolute thru or one correct solution. In order to go forward, one should be aware of the past, including successes, achievements, difficulties, as well as losses, causes and causation. Upon entering the next decade, the guardians of culture heritage have the opportunity to acquire stability and reference point in the past, to try to predict and not miss the required changes and continue to transform the industry in line with the challenges arising from the existing rapid development with a new energy.

20.06.2018–21.09.2018
Exhibition cycle “Never-built Riga. Maps and Plans”
Fourth exhibition:  “Riga. Main Street”

Exhibition is about the city’s central axis, which traverses the area on the right bank of the river Daugava from Berģi to Daugava and finishes in Pārdaugava – in Victory (Uzvaras) Park. The city’s East – West axis has had different names: Smilšu Road, Vidzemes Highway, Aleksandra Street, Brīvības Boulevard, Street and Avenue, as well as Hitler and Lenin Street. In this exhibition the East – West axis is called Main Street.
The nearly 15 km long street was built over a time period of more than 800 years. Its oldest part in Old Riga – Kaļķu Street – starts in Rātslaukums (Town Council Square), where most of the old buildings were destroyed during the Second World War. In the decades following the war various projects were put forward for the Main Street – some proposed enlarging it, while others intended to reduce its size. There was a clash between the ambitious pre-war transformation plans on one part and the Old Town restoration initiatives on the other.
Curator of the exhibition – Jānis Lejnieks.

18.04.2018–15.06.2018
 “Edgars and Aina Senbergs. Modernists”

01.03.2018–13.04.2018

“Preservation and Renewal: Bauhaus and International Style Buildings in Tel Aviv”
In the exhibition color photographs present images of renovated buildings in the White City alongside historic photographs and architectural plans. Curator of the Exhibition: Dr. Micha Gross, cofounder of Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv.

11.01.2018–23. 02.2018

“200 meters above heritage”
Exhibition made by State Inspection for Heritage Protection (VKPAI) shows 1990 aerophotography collection from the Inspection’s negative fund. Collection is made of more than 600 images, taken in October, November and December by flying with helicopter. Participants of these flights were – director of VKPAI Juris Dambis, photographer Aivars Holms, Inspection’s workers Edmunds Vonsovičs and Guntars Frišenfelds, also Professor of Geography Aija Melluma. The flights of year 1990 is the first purposeful photographing of Cultural Heritage of Latvia from air.

07.12.2017–05. 01.2018

“3 from 11”
Exhibition of the Vocational Education Competence Centre “Riga Design an Art School”. It is not only the workshops in old school building at Lāčplēša Street that unite the exhibitors, it is also an understanding of the form, functions and materials that shows how to create a convincing, functional work with recognizable aesthetic qualities using minimal means of expression. In their semester works all the authors performed the same task in material. The concepts of qualification works are different, but the final results form a uniform school style in which each curriculum maintains its own individuality.

02.10.2017–01. 12. 2017

“Nordic Block”
Designed by “Project Baltia” journal of architecture, “Nordic Block” is an exhibition focusing on the development of city districts in the Nordic-Baltic region. Upon the initiative of the exhibition’s main curator, “Project Baltia” chief editor Vladimir Frolov, co-curators from each participating country chose three projects from their respective homelands that manifest Nordic identity in contemporary urban construction; two of the projects have been implemented while the third one is a work in progress. The projects are displayed side by side with their historical counterparts featuring older districts, one from each country. The exhibition comprises projects from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden as well as the inofficial capital of Northern Russia, St Petersburg.

30.08.2017–28. 09. 2017

“Parallel Identities”
Lithuanian architects Aiste Ambrazeviciute and Jurgis Gecys have created extensive, research-based conceptual projects about the Curonian Spit (Curonian Spit) and the historical wooden architecture of Kauna (Imaginary Folklore); and the discovery and preservation of particular sites in a modern context. The interaction between humans and various elements of nature – wood, sand, water and wind – is regarded as a uniting theme in the formation of culture and identity. Similar environments, such as the coast of the Baltic Sea, forests and meadows, are characterized by the same forces of nature, flora and fauna. Our historical experience and mythology is formed against a backdrop of common landscapes. The radically different works still utilize the same familiar natural forms, and clarity of colors and materials. 

20.05.2017–11. 08. 2017

The Exhibition Series “The Never-Built Riga. Maps and Plans”
3rd Exhibition “Riga. Passengers and Cargo. Traffic and Transportation”
Riga’s traffic and transportation are looked at in the following categories. Surface transportation – trains, trams, trolleybuses and buses. Underground – tunnels, transitions, and metro lines. While a subway network never actually got built, the idea nonetheless kept urban planners pondering for decades. The construction of a metro line was one of the USSR’s political goals. Waterway transportation is not very well-developed nowadays, even though during the 20th century barges were still being used for cargo shipment, moreover, steamboats and water trams provided public transportation. Air traffic used to be concentrated in Spilve’s and Rumbula’s airports, however, nowadays it focused at the international airport “Riga”. Its development is connected with the construction of a “Rail Baltica” access point in the airport.

20.04.2017–12.05.2017

Old Stories
The exhibition’s author Dr. Sc. Ing. Andrejs Krasņikovs is professor in Institute of Mechanics Riga Technical University and simultaneously the vice-president of Latvian Academy of Sciences. Graduated Latvian University, Faculty of Physics and Mathematics in 1978 he has been actively engaged in scientific research of new materials structural mechanics in Latvian and international scientific centers in Sweden, US, UK and other countries.
However, Riga's Old Town always been a place that attracted Author particular interest. In his paintings, he is smiling about ordinary things and with ironic view on things is discovering new angles in Riga's Old Town image.

01.02.2017–18.04.2017

Unique building photographs. Project + construction = architecture!
The hard daily construction work is often overlooked while celebrating the aesthetic value of a building. This collection of photographs also displays the anatomy of buildings. The photographic fixation of a construction process or architecture in making requires skill, choise of the exact right point of view and good intuition, because the situation is ever-changing and unrepeatable.
The  exhibition is organized by the project manager of magazines “Latvijas Būvniecība” and “Latvijas Architektūra”  Gunita Jansone. Idea and text: Agrita Lūse, the chief editor of magazine “Latvijas Būvniecība”. Photo: Ainars Meiers, Indriķis Stūrmanis, Marika Vanaga, Aleksandrs Kendenkovs, Edgars Pohevičs. Graphic design: Artūrs Maurāns, the artist of “Latvijas Būvniecība” and “Latvijas Architektūra”

13.10.2016–13.01.2017

Raven’s Nest
Architecture was once considered an art for the ages. However, the postwar generation of modernist architects had to witness the demolition of the buildings they designed. Riga’s Sports Palace, once the biggest multifunctional public building in Riga (1968–1970), was torn down right before the eyes of its creator, the architect Oļģerts Krauklis. However, society’s perspective on values, although slowly, changes over time. Nowadays many of the buildings designed by Krauklis – ‘Oktobris’ cinema (1970–1978, currently the Curiosity centre ‘Zili brīnumi’) in Daugavpils, the Proletarian District Adminstrative building in Riga (1972–1980, currently Riga’s Vidzeme suburban executive directorate) are both contenders for the status of a state protected cultural monument. Conventionally Soviet period buildings are associated in the public mind with low quality standard type housing, however, Oļģerts Krauklis has designed a series of original multi-household dwellings. His workshop ‘Kraukļa ligzda’ (the Raven’s Nest) is located in one such building.

10.09.2016–07.10.2016

Flag for Change
This exhibition shows 13 speculative flag designs, that tackle issues that have become relevant in the contemporary Western society: the meaning of a flag, matters of (national) identity and the mass migration. The flags were conceived within the Vexillology course lead by the collective We Became Aware at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam.
The task given to the designers was to design a new flag to a non-existing community living in a not-yet-defined place. This seemingly absurd concept was triggered by the proposal of the Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris to buy and island in the Mediterranean Sea and to offer it to the refugees of the Syrian war as a safe place to stay and to build their own country. The exhibition is part of the Sculpture Quadrennial Riga 2016. It complements the instalation of the flag “Accept Change” on the AB dambis. Curators: Liene Jākobsone, Manten Devriendt, Sampling.

24.05.2016–12.09.2016
Exhibition cycle “Never-built Riga. Maps and plans” Second exhibition: “Green wedges of blue Riga”

The Latvian Museum of Architecture has nearly a thousand planning projects for Riga from the 20th century. The series of exhibitions “Never-built Riga: Maps and plans” presents planning documents for the capital of Latvia, which were not publicly available when they were prepared, especially during the Soviet occupation. The first exhibition “Riga. Master plan and situation plan” (2015) showed the ambitious plans for the capital of Latvia after the First World War. The second exhibition “The green wedges of blue Riga” reveals the potential of urban water  reservoirs and green areas. It consists of plans that illustrate the efforts of planners to ensure that every inhabitant of Riga has access to a healthy environment regardless of their place of residence. Riga may qualify for the status of a “blue” city, as it has developed on the banks of the river Daugava, it is surrounded by two large lakes, and the inhabitants of the city have access to the beaches of the Gulf of Riga. Curator of the exhibition: Janis Lejnieks.

18.03.2016–13.05.2016
AlterSPb: City of public spaces

Vladimir Frolov, curator of the project, offered young architects to show their vision on the public space of the city. Sixteen exhibited projects are in the category of non-developed. Part of them is paper architecture in its pure state and another part presents works that can be materialized in the foreseeable future. Some authors tend to interact with the context of St. Petersburg, while others rely on global trends. The purpose of AlterSPb 2015 is not in receiving the only one correct answer to the question of what public space really is or what it should be in St. Petersburg. The projects’ aim is in the very reflection on the multiplicity of urban environmental variations, as well as on the responsibility of the one who designs and the one, who decides what project to choose for realization. Organizer of the exhibition: magazine “Project Baltia”

21.01.2016–11.03.2016
Edīte Pauls-Vīgnere. Eroticism of the Colours

I have long had my eye on these ancient buildings, The Three Brothers, which stand there, clasped lovingly, at 17, 19 and 21 Mazā Pils Street in Old Riga. I have woven them into one of my tapestries, but deep down I was yearning to hold a small intimate exhibition in these buildings one day.
Those who visit the exhibition might wonder why the event is named like this, why there is interlacement of two genres. People have a tendency to accumulate all sorts of things and collect all and everything! Over the years, I have become a proud owner of a huge chest of greetings received, but I also like to create hand-made gifts, mostly by painting abstract pictures without particular content.
Once I decided to stop working in textile art, which meant having to dispose of the accumulated material. When, however, I was going through the old cotton lace, a gift from the artist Daina Dagnija, I felt a twinge of pity in my heart. So I pinned the lace to a piece of paper. But it is women who wear lace, although there were centuries when lace was worn by men, and painters immortalized it in their canvases. I chose the easy way and added a portrait and a hairstyle to each lace. I noticed that some of the portraits bore a resemblance to people seen in life, so it only remained for me to pick the names for them.

01.12.2015–15.01.2016
Estonian Culture Poster 2015

Haapsalu Graphic Design Festival exhibition Estonian Culture Poster  2015 The festival focused on the developments in poster art and the creative signature of the artist in graphic design. The festival has been organised for more than 10 years now and every two years, a competition of posters for cultural events is held, resulting in an exhibition that is first presented in Haapsalu and then begins its travels in Estonia and then abroad. The special trait of the exhibition is that it gives an overview of the variations of cultural events held across Estonia and their different visual identities - after all, the poster clearly bears the hallmarks of its era and the creative handwriting of its author. Thus, we see the works of different creative principles, design techniques and generations, which all form a surprisingly distinct whole - the Estonian poster. Curator of the exhibition: Marko Kekishev.

12.11. – 27.11.2015
Architect Bureau SZK’s Anniversary Exhibition 20/50

This fall major anniversaries are celebrated not only by the bureau but also two of its founders – Andis Sīlis and Pēteris Kļava. The exhibition features the most significant and latest pieces from over 50 private and public projects developed by the bureau team over a period of 20 years. The last pieces displayed are still in the making: apartment building in Jūrmala, Ikšķiles Street where interior is developed in association with the world famous design start Karim Rashid. Besides, the exhibition reveals the tough side of architect’s work – great projects are not always meant to be implemented. Victory at the international Riga acoustic concert hall tender (2006) was one of the highest peaks in the history of the bureau – presented at the exhibition in the shape of a glass mock-up of the awarded project created by artist Anda Munkevica and “AM Studio”.

13.10.2015–06.11.2015
 “Baubles. Pleasures”

During the time when the first cultural souvenirs started appearing, it was not self-evident for Latvian musuem goers to spend some time after their visit to browse through some “baubles and pleasures” in the museum’s souvenir shop. Simply because there weren’t any souvenir shops in museums. The Latvian National Museum of Art’s Brand Foundation spent five years diligenty collaborating with talented Latvian artists and excellent designers. The exhibition features  cultural souvenirs that were made for the Latvian National Musuem of Art’s collection, highlighting seven authors – Aleksandra Beļcova, Boriss Bērziņš,  Filips Maļāvins, Vilhelms Purvīts, Nikolajs Rērihs, Jūlijs Straume, Romāns Suta, and also souvenirs made specifically for the city of Riga, which are available in the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation. The exhibition is brought to you by: the festival Design.Future (01.10.2015–15.11.2015). The festival program consists of design exhibitions, lectures, and creative workshops.

18.08.2015 – 09.10.2015
Play architecture

Young Latvian artists take part in this exhibition. Maybe artists don’t have concept of technical and professional side of arhitecture, therefore their work speaks about observations and life parallels createted by ideas of architecture. People mostly think toys and playing are for children, but both childhood and play continues all throughout adult life. The inner child is considered in both secular and spiritual thought, giving answers and asking new questions about our lives. The main theme is “a person in context of love”. Love in wider sense is necessary for life and development, and is a healthy interest in ourselves and society as a whole. You can see this sentiment in children’s artwork, but adult art and architecture lacks it. Houses are built not for and around people, people have to put up with surroundings already made.
Artists: Sabīne Moore, Atis Jākobsons, Sanda Undzēna, Gundega Evelone, Santa Aulmane, Neonilla Medvedeva, Ilze Aulmane. Curator of the exhibition: Ilze Aulmane.

16.05.2015 – 14.08.2015
The first exhibition “Master Plan and the Situation Plan” from the exhibition series “Never-built Riga. Maps and Plans”
The Latvian Museum of Architecture collection contains almost a thousand 20th century project plans for the city of Riga. The seven exhibition series “Riga, that’s not there. Map and Plans” introduces the capital city’s planning documents. The first exhibition features plans, in which one can see the development of Riga’s suburbia during the 20th century, starting with Lielrīga’s projects in the early 20’s and 30’s, which were intended for one and a half million inhabitants in current Riga’s suburban territory, and up to the 60’s and 80’s Soviet period micro-district plans within city borders.

27.02.2015 – 08.05.2015
Juris Monvīds Skalbergs. Between modernism and post-modernism

This exhibition is one in a series of exhibitions organised by the Latvian Museum of Architecture with the aim of reassessing architecture in Latvia in the 1960s and 1970s, which has been unflatteringly labelled as “Soviet modernism”. Yet, even during the period of occupation, local architects worked in step with international tendencies.
It is noteworthy that a large part of the work done by Juris Skalbergs has been destroyed in subsequent reconstructions – Skalbergs himself often transformed buildings created by other architects.

14.11.2014-23.01.2015
Flemish Architecture: a Cross Section

The exhibition gives insight into the contemporary architecture scene in Flanders. The quality of Flemish architecture has improved considerably  in  the last few years. There are various reasons for this evolution, the most significant of which are: a good education, professional criticism and, undoubtedly, the efforts of the Team  Vlaams Bouwmeester (The Flemish Government Architect’s Team). This office works as a consultancy for the Flemish government on issues regarding architecture and territorial planning. This team’s experts elaborate tools that allow surveillance and promotion of high-quality architecture. In order to offer a complete overview of the state of contemporary architecture in Flanders, the selection of buildings in the exhibition represent a range of different functions and scale, and both private and public commissions. - The concept of creating the possibility to look at a cross section of the architecture of this Belgian region and of building in general is deliberately evoked by the title and staging of this exhibition.
Curators of the exhibition: Liene Jākobsone & Manten Devriendt.

18.09.2014 – 11.11.2014
“NORDIC ID”

What is a contemporary Nordic identity? And how is it reflected in the architecture? These initial questions were the start for the project, first shown at III Moscow Architecture Biennale. To find an answer, “Project Baltia magazine” invited ateam of curators from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finlandand Estonia to come with their views on the subject.
Each curator made a selection of five contemporary architecture projects from their home countries, which, from their point of view, express a regional identity. The selected
works were followed by a written description of each curator’s choice. Opening of the exhibition was graced by Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden.

24.07.2014 – 19.09.2014
Exhibition of Arvīds Endziņš metal art works “Planetarium”

Arvīds Endziņš (b. 1964) is representative of the so-called "unique design" field of Latvian art. Being one of the most talented authors in his field, he still is focused on the lighting and light fixtures in his anniversary exhibition "Planetarium" trying to express his life experiences through the topic. This time the light objects are dealing with relations of different reflecting surface materials and light sources with no rules set by external conditions, allowing the spirit to dominate functionality.

15.04.2014 – 13.06.2014
Curative Space. Five Approaches to Hospital Design in Latvia

Exhibition is an architectural exhibit that will be first of its kind in Latvia. Curative Space will explore the history of the Hospital design in Latvia by sampling five hospital buildings and presenting new, digital architectural drawings and new models of each of the hospitals. Each hospital was selected from a different periodi n Latvia’s history ranging from Latvia’s first independence, and the vision for the future. The exhibit presents five different formal design strategies of the hospitals.
Exhibition curator Andrejs Rauchut is an architect and researcher based in New York City. He is a Fulbright Scholar.

27.02.2014.–10.04.2014.
Exhibition of Velga Lukaza’s textile art works “Citations…”

Velga Lukaza’s handmade small pieces of tapestry cannot be classified by their belonging to a well-defined time. At the beginning of her career, the artist had created large tapestries with many characters where the element of the play was constantly present. Meanwhile she was fascinated by the format of the mini-textile. Velga Lukaza gathers skillfully a mixing of materials in one unique work: linen, silk, wood, pearls complement one another and, then, another combination of signs and materials is no longer imaginable. There are two elements which Velga Lukaza cannot dispense with: golden color which characterizes the icons and the lyric French texts. With her history, the artist puts together signs form different periods whereas she creates something new and unique.

01.11.2013–17.01.2014
Johann Daniel Felsko – 200: Projects of the First City Architect of Riga

On 30 October 2013, we celebrate the 200th anniversary since the Riga City Architect Johann Daniel Felsko (1813–1902) was born in Riga; he authored the city plan project and designed many significant public buildings: Riga St. Martin’s Church (1851–1853), St. Saviour’s Anglican Church(1857–1859), Small Guild (1864–1866), Riga City Hospital complex (1870–1879), Sarkandaugava Holy Trinity Church (1876–1878), City Real School (1876–1879).
Curator of the exhibition: Daina Lāce, concept of design: Rauls Liepiņš.

16.09.2013–25.10.2013
The Building of the Latvian Academy of Art

The theme of the European Heritage Days 2013 in Latvia is „Schools in cultural monuments”. One of the most significant objects in the list of this year’s objects in Riga is the building of the Latvian Academy of Art, which was designed by an architect Wilhelm Bockslaff (1858–1945) as a commercial school of Riga bourse. This year the building celebrates 110 anniversary since in 1903 the Project of the building was approved. The building is an outstanding example of neogothic shapes and interiors, reflecting Art Nouveau motifs, as well as for that time innovative technical solutions. The exhibition tells about the building history, implemented and  not implemented ideas from its origins till nowadays.
The exhibition shows materials from the collection of the Latvian Museum of Architecture, research of Daina Lāce „The building of the Latvian Academy of Art” (Institute of Art History of the Latvian Academy of Art, 2011), materials from the Information centre of the Latvian Academy of Art, architects’ bureaus „F.L.Tadao” and „SZK & Partners” as well as materials from the private collection of the head of the academy, Aleksejs Naumovs.

20.06.2013–10.09.2013
Golden Pages of Moscow Art Nouveau. Lev Kekushev

Moscow architect and architecture teacher Lev Kekushev is a representative of early art nouveau, which is closer to art nouveau schools of France and Belgium. Kekushev’s style is very different from that of other Russian late art nouveau masters, such as Fyodor Shekhtel – who derived his inspiration from Russian style and national romantism.Until the Revolution of 1905 Kekushev was one of the most demanded architects in Moscow, who worked for public building projects and private orders, so-called city mansions.
The exhibition was prepared by Governing Administration of the Moscow City Archives with assistance of Latvian Museum of Architecture.

18.05.2013–14.06.2013.
Riga before bishop Albert

The exhibition of architect Edgars Šēnbergs in Latvia’s Architectural Museum is dedicated for the people who created the place names and lived in the shores of ancient river Daugava.
Those are hidden in thousands of existing living place names, manors, religious ritual mountains, small rivers, streams, fountains, lakes, swamps, ponds and other with water connected nature object names. But cult legends unusual god’s names in nowaday language discovered ancient mythological story writers native language and ethnical belonging. The exhibition has been made in collaboration with Laimīgās Mākslas muzeju(Happy Art Museum). Exhibition curators: architect Uģis Šēnbergs and director Dags Vidulejs.

26.03.2013–26. 04.2013
Unique construction or Five minutes till architecture

Travelling exhibition with the photos by the photographers of magazine „Latvijas Būvniecība” („Construction in Latvia”) Ainārs Meiers and Sarmīte Livdāne, architect Ingurds Lazdiņš and sketches by architect Gunārs Birkerts was made in the beginning of year 2013  in collaboration with magazines „Latvijas Architektūra” („Architecture in Latvia”) and „Latvijas Būvniecība”. At the same time the exhibition was a satellite event for the yearly award „Latvian Building Engineer of the Year” organized by magazines „Latvijas Architektūra” and „Latvijas Būvniecība”. The engineering work in construction of the building ends five minutes before architecture and the daily accomplishments stay invisible in the opening ceremonies, when the values of the architecture are being praised. The exhibition reveals the background scenes of the construction processes of unique buildings. In the exhibition there are captured moments from a variety of objects.

14.12.2012-15.03.2013.
Lia-Asta Knāķe. Latvenergo

Lia-Asta Knāķe (b. 1929) designed one of first modern furniture and restaurants’ interiors in Riga (1959–1970), then she got the commission for House of Power Engineers (now Latvenergo administrative building) in Pulkveža Brieža street, which was projected from 1971, but built in several stages till early 1990s.
In 1960s and 70s it was the time, when major changes were being planned and also implemented in Europe’s old city centers. Lifestyle’s growing intensity demanded new transport routes, which in cities old parts were carried out by widening old streets. Riga still has some evidence from the time, when the architects had a “devil-may-care” attitude. One of such examples is Latvenergo main office building. Today, a project of this kind with a new building towering above the city’s old streets would not be accepted. Nevertheless, it was a normal case for West Europe in those days. But unlike the other projects, Latvenergo main building bears dynamic contrast of shapes and feel of materials used in it. Time is the essence for revaluating the values. Time that had passed is enough to recognize Latvenergo building as the cultural landmark of its time.
Exhibition is created by Latvian Museum of Architecture  (Museum’s archives), exhibition curator Jānis Lejnieks, artist Liene Jākobsone.

11.10.2012-07.12.2012
Estonian Contemporary Poster Art

Estonian posters, dedicated to culture events and created in the time of the past three years, were exhibited here.
The Society of Estonian Graphic Designers is the organizer of regular graphic design festivals. The idea to hold these festivals served as a unifying factor to graphic designers, each of them basically working in different fields of graphic design. One of the festival's themes was culture posters, which have reached high artistic quality and represent the poster as a special, independent cultural phenomenon , but at the same time carries the idea of contemporary graphic design.
The organizer of the exhibition is the Design Information Centre.

12.07.2012-08.09.2012
Incomplete Landscape
A research project on the Baltic coastline

Landscape architect Joyce van den Berg / Studio Berg [NL] and photographer/architect Nina Kopp / Studio Kopp [GE] initiated the project Incomplete Landscape from a personal interest and curiosity in the 'new' neighbors of the European Union – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. To increase their understating of these three Baltic countries, they at least wanted to know more about their recent history (the Soviet occupation between 1940 and 1991) and how this period influenced the landscape and its use.

The project focuses on the Baltic coastline as a landscape of great value to these three countries today. That same coastline was equally important during the Cold War because of its strategic position on the border between East and West. Many traces still remind inhabitants and visitors to the area of its history. It can be seen as a ‘trauma landscape’.

10.05.2012-06.07.2012
Naphtaline

Arnis Kleinbergs is one of the leading and more productive Latvian architects, with many built private houses (more than 50), residential and public buildings, renovations and interior designs, also with a productive participation in tenders and exhibitions (proposal for Kipsalas Development (2004), concert halls for the cities of Liepaja and Rezekne (2003 and 2008) and a project for a residential and business center in the block between Etnas, Brivibas and M. Klijanu streets (2005).
Architect with a bright and creative character, he is considered one of Latvian neoexpressionist architects. His handwrite has not been static – it has evolved from dynamic-forms searching to expressive compositions, using colors and textures however when attaining the maturity of creativeness he has become “calmer” in the use of formal expressions.
In this anniversary exhibition Arnis Kleinbergs allows us to go “behind the scene”. 
More or less, unbuilt projects are part of the architecture’s whole landscape and show society’s formation level from a creative individual experience.

05.04.2012-03.05.2012
Architect Alexander Kaminsky

Not too many know Alexander Kaminsky’s (1829-1897) name. Although, it is difficult to mention any other architect from the end of 19th century, who would leave behind himself the same rich architectural heritage as Kaminsky did. Complex of buildings of State Tretyakov Gallery, building of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation on Ilyinka street, houses on Kuznetksy Most, Neglinka, Lubyanka – these are only some of almost hundred objects built by Alexander Kaminsky and introduced to Moscow’s cultural heritage list. Marriage with Pavel Tretyakov’s (founder of famous art gallery) sister tied Kaminsky to Moscow – he started to build a lot for representatives of Moscow merchants. He designed and built business houses, hotels and warehouses, churches, colleges and hospitals. Architect’s career ended in 1888, when wall of building (built according to the project of Kaminsky) collapsed. Kaminsky was found guilty in what happened, and his name was long forgotten.
A representative of later eclectics, Alexander Kaminsky never followed one single style – for every type of building he sought his own solution, not always fitting within stylistic conventionalities.
Exhibition was prepared byGoverning Administration of the Moscow City Archives. Modern photography by Margarita Fedina.

03.02.2012.-30.03.2012.
„Eight Eights”

The project was first shown as a part of ‘Borders of architecture 2: housing’, an exhibition at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark (June 1st to October 2nd, 2011). The idea of the project is to propose eight variations on the 8HOUSE (a residential complex by BIG architects of Copenhagen) for eight cities in the Baltic region.8HOUSE, which was constructed in 2009 in a suburb of Copenhagen, has become very popular with architects, critics, and ordinary citizens of Denmark. Magazine PROJECT BALTIA joined forces with architects and publisher Bart Goldhoorn to invite seven architecture firms from the Baltic region to ‘tie’ this building to the context of a city in their native country and to propose a design for the façade. The main idea of the project is to examine the possibility of reproducing the building in new locations in order to give more people the chance to enjoy the high standard of living offered by this complex structure.
Participants: BIG (Copenhagen), ALA (Helsinki), Villem Tomiste + Stuudio Tallinn (Tallinn), Studio 44 (St Petersburg), MADE (Riga), Wingårdhs (Gothenburg), Andre Baldi (Klaipeda), Mackow (Wroslaw).

24.11.2011.-27.01.2012.
Designers’ Society of Latvia «Annual Competition Awards’ ’09, ’10  and ’11 – Best Environmental Design Projects Exhibition»

What are the contemporary contributions to the public environment? How can we judge its quality? Is public space in balance with consumers' interests, choices, preferences? Architects, artists and designers are all creators of this modern public space. Designers’ Society of Latvia has organized competitions for these contributors to the public environment, for the last three years. Your are now invited to look analytically at this art form. The Latvian Designers' Society is announcing nominations for «Design of the objects outside» and «Design of the facade colors», among others, for the Prize of the Year. Nominations are judged by an international jury, including official representatives of city councils responsible for quality of the public space, representatives of the creative unions and societies, artists and theorists.
This exhibition in the Latvian Museum of Architecture offers to introduce you to the best projects created in our current time period, prizewinners and other projects, appreciated by the jury.
Prizewinners 2009: Vita Balode, Andris Kokins, Kaspars Kaupe, «Design of the colors for section (block) in Ventspils — Lauku Street, Sarkanmuizas dambis and Brivibas Street» (Design of the facade colors); Inta Berga, fountain «Horizon» (Design of the objects outside); 2010: Andris Kronbergs, Dace Gravere, Kristaps Sulcs, Architectural Practice ARHIS, «Commercial and Entertainment Center Riga Plaza», 71 Mukusalas Street, Riga (Design of the facade colors); Arnis Kleinbergs, Architectural Practice ARHIS, «Observation Tower in the Park Dzintaru», Jurmala (Design of the objects outside); 2011: Gunars Platpirs, Platpirs Ltd., fountain «Sail Boat», (Design of the objects outside).

04.10.2011.-11.11.2011.
Austrian Architectural Design in Public and Private Space

Exhibition offers a glimpse of current Austrian design solutions, with selected examples from the field of architectural design nominated for the National Design Prize, Austria’s most important performance showcase for three-dimensional design.
Projects range from solutions for public space, street furniture, landscape design, and mobile construction systems to interior design and spatial concepts for exhibitions, restaurants, shops, and trade fair stands. Generally, the projects chosen take into account such indispensable aspects as multifunctionality, integration, flexibility, and sustainability, as well as social and demographic developments, ecological responsibility and emotional qualities.
Exhibition in Latvia is shown within the framework of the project “Design. Future”.

19.05.2011-15.07.2011
Exhibition of Works by Architect Imre Makovecz (Hungary)

Imre Makovecz, an emblematic figure of Hungarian architecture, was born in 1935 in Budapest. He attended the Technical University of Budapest; as an architect active in Europe from the late 1950s onward. He is a seminal figure of Hungarian organic architecture. His architecture has philosophical foundations; he considers Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy the cornerstone of his work. The way he organizes space, rely on the forms of the human body, a vision that has won him many a follower in Hungary and internationally. His work is a follow-up to the formal innovation of such Hungarian architects as Ödön Lechner and Károly Kós. In its attempts to refer to and build on Hungarian national archetypes Makovecz was continuing the work and ideas of the architects of Hungarian Art Nouveau and National Romanticism. His work began as a critique of communist ideology and the brutal uniformity of system building but, after the fall of the Communist regime in 1989, it became a comment on the nature of globalisation and corporate culture.

04.02.2011.-12.05.2011.
“Rationality and the Art of Architecture”

They say that Finnish architecture, like the Finns themselves, is rational. Its restrained character may be explained by the austere northern climate and the Modernist tradition, which has played a defining role in the Finnish architectural school since the early days of Functionalism. But the art of architecture would not be art if it did not step outside the bounds of rationality and, in the present case, of Modernism. In Finnish architecture these “sorties” may seem extremely cautious. To these, which is accustomed to expressive gesture in architecture, they may even be scarcely noticeable. And yet, each of the architectural firms shown here possesses its own recognizable style and interprets the Modernist tradition in its own way, overstepping the boundaries of that tradition in particular places.

The architects’ offices selected for the exhibition – Helin & Co, Avanto and JKMM – represent three generations of Finnish architects. Their projects illustrate the way that Finnish architecture wavers between orthodox functionalism, a quest for inspiration in folk tradition, and reflections on the specific character of modernity and the place of the Finnish architectural school in the 21st century.
Organizers of the exhibition: Project Baltia magazine, curators: Yelizaveta Zhuravleva, Vladimir Frolov.

26.01.2011.–27.03.2011.
„Modris Gelzis.Latvian Architect. The 20th Century” in Riga Art Space

In 2009 Modris Gelzis (1929–2009) – one of the most outstanding Latvian architects of the 2nd half of the 20th century – donated all his creative work archive: sketches, photos, notes, models, etc. – to the Latvian Museum of Architecture. During his lifetime the archive was accurately formed and arranged by the architect himself, and it was of private nature, closed even for his relatives and colleagues. Today this inestimable heritage is accessible, and it holds lots of unknown material for public interest, researchers and specialists in the field.
The exhibition tells about numerous significant and well known buildings designed by Modris Gelzis: Dzintari Concert Hall (1959), Valmiera Theatre (1961–2004), Concert Hall of the Great Guild (1964), the Aeroflot office building (1984–1991).
The display is structured around the architect's summer house in Pabaži, which stands in the centre of the exhibition (model of the house in scale 1:1). It was the first modernism building created in the former Soviet Latvia. The architect considered it as a manifestation of his professional principles. The exhibition also gives an opportunity for general public to form an idea about the interiors which have not survived till this day, e.g. the interior of the Art book shop „Makslasgramata” (1958), which can be seen as the first contemporary interior of the 2nd half of the 20th century. The exhibition comprises also projects of the Artists’ House in Old Riga (1971–1976), the Latvian SSR State Library (1977) etc., which unfortunately, remained only as projects without being carried out in life.
Currators :Janis Lejnieks, Ilze Martinsone, designer: Kristaps Gelzis.

22.12.2010.-28,01.2011.
„Paparcake Architecture”

Education project “Skolnieks. Pētnieks. Pilsētnieks” (SPP) is the first exhibition of the kids work “Papercake Architecture” marking the end of the first year of the project. “Papercakes” is a home to Christmas characters: gray pea, poor pie, the bell that jingles pinecone, sparklers, angel hair, gift bag or poem. „Papercakes” were made by the invited students-kids in an organized workshop from Valdorfschool, Ulbroka music and art schools, private schools „Patnis” and Riga French Lyceum, in the Museum two days before the exhibition opening on December 22. In the Day of the Star, January 6, „papercakes” were made together with young architects and their kids as well as kids and grandchildren of colleagues and employees of the State Heritage Protection Inspection. Every little visitor was invited to add new „papercake” to the exhibition.
SPP is education project initiated by the Young Architects Association (JAA), launched in 2009, to educate children and young people in the art of the built environment.

11.10.2010. – 10.12.2010.
 „Architecture of Schools in Flanders”

How architects work on school projects and which school buildings have been realized in Flanders lately? The 15 Flemish architects’ offices vision of school projects as a unique possibility to create their own ideal world, which is showcased in the exhibition sketches, photos, drawings, texts and videos.
Curators: Liene Jākobsone, Manten Devriendt, SAMPLING Architects.
Architects’ offices, represented in the exhibition: ALT-architectuur, Architecten Tom Thys and Adinda Van Geystelen + Bureau Bouwtechniek, AWG, B.AS Dirk Jaspaert and Kathleen Mertens, Bogdan Van Broeck, BULK, EVR, Hootsmans, Huiswerk Architecten, Jan de Vylder, Kathy Van Hulle, Rauw, Guy Châtel, Stéphane Beel, Wim Cuyvers (Amor Fati).

08.09.2010.-01.10.2010.
Students' Exhibition „Save!” from the Restoration Department of the Art Academy of Latvia
 
The students’ exhibition is dedicated to the problems of culture heritage protection. Materials of the exhibition, comprising texts and photos, are supplemented with drawings, discussing protection problems in a humorous way.
Curator of the exhibition – Inga Meldere.

05.07.2010. – 05.09.2010.
„Paul Max Berchi period in Liepaja architecture”

Paul Max Berchi (1840-1911) was the beginner of XIX century modernism in Liepaja. During the very course of studies in Germany and later, in Saint-Petersburg he tried to develop his own style and express his free-lancer’s judgement on controversial, rapid and variable end of XIX century. From 1871 until 1902 P.M. Berchi served as a head architect in Liepaja and designed many considerable public buildings – churches, factories, country seats in the city and around, as well as reconstructed buildings and facades.
Wide collection of P.M. Berchi projects, sketches, construction cost calculations, diaries and building art samples was preserved in Liepaja Museum and allowed researchers to judge about Berchi and his sons’ – architects Max and Gvido – work volume and enthusiasm in searching for new architecture forms. The heritage of Berchi family came to museum in 1939, when repatriating widow of Max Berchi – Clara Berchi sold it to the museum.
Exposition curator – Janis Gintners, Liepaja Museum Deputy Head.

14.05.2010.-22.06.2010.
"What is sustainable building?”

Exibition "What is sustainable building? organization Zaļās mājas (Green Homes) comments the most frequenty asked questions" is organized in a context of a bigger project aiming at development of a sustainable building evaluation and certification system for Latvia - a set of clear, objective and internationally recognized criteria. The Latvian system will be based on BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, developed by British Research Establishment, BRE). The exibition provides answers to questions, which have been of public interest the most frequenty.

09.04.2010.-12.05.2010.
Beauty. Benefit. Solidity. Architect F.O. Schechtel. 150th anniversary

Creative work of prominent architect Fyodor Osipovich Schechtel (1859-1926) – is the recognized acme of Russian epoch of Art Nouveau. He is remembered as the architect of magnificent structures – Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal, Moscow Art Theatre, mansions of Z. Morozova, S. Ryabushinsky, P. Smirnov, etc. As a real representative of his time, F.O. Schechtel was notable for his wide range of interests:  designing of crowning celebrations and city festivals, work in theatre and magazines, teaching and public activities. However, architecture became the meaning of his life.
Theatre also played a very important role in the life of Schechtel – the passion that was conceived in the very youth and hadn’t faded since. Schechtel had friendly relations with famous theatre figures K.S. Stanislavsky and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko. F.O. Schechtel was the person who created world-famous image of seagull – the emblem of Moscow Art Theatre.
Many archive documents are presented at the exposition; among them are sketches, created by Schechtel, drawings, façade projects as well as photos that give us the opportunity to take a closer look at different phases of architect’s creative work.
The exhibition was prepared by Moscow Main Archive Department

12.11.2009.-29.01.2010.
„Makss Servinskis, architect, the author of Riga’s 700th Anniversary exhibition –
turns 150”

              The family of Makss Servinskis (1859-1909) – who is one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau tradition in Riga, former Head of Craft School of Riga, author of Riga’s
700th anniversary exhibition project (1901) – his family, which the son of Makss Servinskis – prolific architects Vladimirs Servinskis (1894-1975) belongs to, rooted itself in Latvia and remained faithful to it. In 1900 Makss Servinskis received his first award at Riga’s 700th anniversary exhibition competition for architectonic solution, developed layout and pavilions projects. That exhibition was the first event to allow Riga to become the metropolis of Art Nouveau. Makss Servinskis belonged to those artists of XIX-XX centuries, who implemented their talents all-round, the work of a teacher allowed him to be aware of new style tendencies and progressive technologies. Things he designed reflect rapid and free transition from eclectism to new Art Nouveau forms in architecture and art. Currator of the exhibition - Eizens Upmanis.

01.10.2009.-30.10.2009.
Observeur du design

The Observeur du design is an annual french design prize which identifies outstanding creations from our daily environment brought about by an exceptionally innovative company/designer partnership to which it attributes a label. The most remarkable are awarded with an Observeur Star. The Observeur is endorsed as "international competition" by ICSID (International council of societies of industrial design), an institution that is reference in terms of design. Each edition begin with a 3 months exhibition at the Cité des sciences et de l'Industrie science museum in Paris, followed by a programme of exhibitions and events in France and abroad.

17.06.2009.-17.09.2009.
„Dream Factories?”

After World War II, two different models of society developed in the Nordic and Baltic countries: the Nordic welfare states under Social Democratic governments and the Baltc socialist republics under Soviet occupation. Industrial production was the economic foundation for the welfare states as well as the socialist states. In spite ideological and national differences, the countries on both sides of the Baltic Sea went through radical industralization and modernization processes in the high-industrial postwar era. The way the rationally organized, efficient factory functioned became a modern ideal that influenced not just industry, but also the social sphere and the everyday life of people  in both the East and the West. This exhibition takes you on a journey to seven different production areas.

26.02.2009 -05.06.2009
Exhibition „20 before 40 II”

The project “20 before 40” is an exposition of new architects’ works with two conditions: all the participants are younger than 40 and all the exposition works are implemented. Two years have passed since the previous exhibition in Latvian Museum of Architecture. Have „fertile years” helped in growth of „fertile” architecture? At “20 before 40 II” there are objects which have been put into commission after January 1st, 2007, the exhibition is democratic, there are no jury or prizes. Architects’ offices participate in exhibition: Depo projects; Jaunromāns un Ābele; MADE arhitekti; Sintija Vaivade_arhitekte;  Palast Architekts; MARK; Valeinis un Stepe; NRJA;  Substance; Uģis Šēnbergs, arhitekts; 8.A.M.; Modus Mood;  Arteks; Kubs;  Sudraba arhitektūra; Lejnieku projektēšanas birojs.

16.01.2009.-20.02.2009.
„Jūrmala Sports Architecture”
 
Recently municipality of Jūrmala town has been realized several sports and leisure objects of high value. Objective of the exhibition is mark out this enterprise, activate emergency of qualitative public architecture in every district of municipalities. Exhibition is structured of photos, which present sports ground of Majori primary school (Substance), Stadium stands in Sloka (8 A.M. and Substance), wood park in Dzintari (Substance) and gym in primary school Taurenītis (Lejnieku projektēšanas birojs, 8 A.M., Infinitum).
Exhibition is one of events, made by Architecture Promotion Foundation owing to project Process.

16.10.2008.-16.12.2008.
„Eksports@home”

Riga Technical University (RTU) students of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, who have spent part of their study time at several European universities, thanks to the Erasmus Program, are dealing about their study work abroad. Acquired objects brought back home, unpacked and displayed at this exhibition. The display contains not only qualification works of their study time, but also associative images about their places of residence abroad and the results of creative experimentations at their leisure. The exhibition tells about the course of learning process and the atmosphere of the study time in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, France, Great Britain, Austria, Holland, Portugal and Spain. The display includes also “direct video reports” about life abroad from the viewpoint of the students who at the moment are studying there.
Participants:
Arnita Ārmane, Laura Laudere, Didzis Jaunzems, Liene Jākobsone, Jevgēņija Ivanova, Ints Menģelis, Laura Pelše, Matīss Šteinerts, Elēna Melzoba, Kārlis Melzobs, Dina Sotņikova, Ilva Cimermane, Dace Aumele, Madara Eisaka, Elīna Jakovele, Dace Gurecka, Dagnija Smilga, Santa Matule, Agate Kalnpure, Niklāvs Paegle, Toms Kokins, Brigita Bīviņa

29.08.2008.-10.10.2008.
“Leningrad modernism. A view from the 21st century”

At first time the exhibition was shown in St Petersburg’s Architect house in 2006. Curator Vladimir Frolov wished to enchain society to buildings, constructed in period of “absence of architecture”, and long time associated with worse side of soviet regime: alienation of global context and cultural stagnancy. 20 photographers, well known masters (Juri Molodokovec, Andrei Chezin, etc) and new talents (Alexander Grondskij, Marina Jacobson, etc) were invited to look at dwindling Khrushchev – Brezhnev era buildings nature critically, interestedly and unprejudiced.

17.07.2008.-12.09.2008
Paulis Raimonds DERMANIS. Architecture. Graphics.

Architect Paulis Dermanis was born in 1932 and left Latvia at the end of the WWII and ended up in USA, where in 1955 he graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Washington in Seattle and in 1959 received MA degree from MIT.
In exhibition many of his architectural projects, like buildings of military bases, federal and local government and schools are shown. Equally, his paintings and drafts from various painting workshops are reflected in this exhibition.

08.05.2008.-27.06.2008.
Exhibition “Riga devoid of the traffic jams!?”

This is a vision, made by Latvian architects’ office “NAMS”, which offers a possibility to upgrade public transport in Riga and the way out of a traffic jam problem. “NAMS” proposes to use this potential which Riga already has – build up traffic circle around the central part of the city by using existing railway track. Today this rail circle is almost accomplished. Some missing sections could be created during reconstruction of embankment. New stations would be located more often than existent railway stations. Those would be located in significant places of the city or in the crossing places of tramway and main transport arteries. Exhibition is made using audiovisual installations, animation, 2D graphics and video.

11.03.2008.-30.04.2008.
„Estonian Embassy in Riga. Architectural Competitions: 1938 and 2008”

Exhibition has two parts: In Information centre of State Inspection for Heritage Protection (20 L. Pils Street) are exhibit 10 projects of the Architectural Competition for Estonian embassy building in 1938, preserved in the State Archive of Estonia. In Exhibition hall of Latvian Museum of Architecture are exhibit 11 projects of the Architectural Competition for Estonian embassy building, which finished in 2008.

25.012008.-25.02.2008.
Photo exhibition of Irina Tīre „Music of Liepaja’s forgings”

In works of photographer Irina Tīre there are musicians of Liepaja symphonic orchestra, portrayed with their own instruments on Liepaja architectural heritage background. Annotations for exhibition are prepared by specialist of heritage protection Gunārs Silakaktiņš.

13.11.2007.-23.01.2008.
Exhibition of Ildiko Beate Takacha’s (Hungary) drawings „Cat welcomes Budapest guests. Budapest in drawings.”

For surviving it is necessary to keep the sense of humor and ability to look at the world with the eyes of a child. Graphic artist and illustrator Ildiko Beata Takacha lives in Budapest and she thinks that this city has its own daily fairies.

3.10.2007.-22.10.2007.
Exhibition of Estonian design ABCDesign

Centre of the innovations of design of Estonian Art Academy has developed a traveling exhibition of Estonian design history and contemporary processes, which included in program of The Year of Estonian Design (2006-2007. With the show in Latvian Museum of Architecture this exhibition began its international journey. Exhibition in Latvia was shown within the framework of the project “Design. Future.”.

13.09.2007.-28.09.2008.
Exhibition of students of Latvian Art academy „Minimum/Maximum”

Minimum/Maximum is project to which new designers of Latvian Art academy have take part in two significant international Design shows: International furniture show in Stockholm, school and independent designer’s section Greenhouse and International furniture exhibition in Milan, design school and exposition of new designers Salone Satellite.

17.05.2007.-07.09.2007.
„Raimonds Slaidiņš (USA). Illustrator of Architecture”

Raimonds Slaidiņš has grown as illustrator of architecture working in different architectural companies, until he founded his own company Architectural Illustration.
In his client list there was government of USA (Antiaircraft rocketry defense), state municipalities (Centre of Omaha city), and government of Saudi Arabia etc.

23.04.2007.-06.05.2007.
„Kwey brothers „In Three Brothers”. Dormitorium”

Twin brothers, animator’s Kwey (Holland) film retrospections and film layouts. Creative work of artists belongs to uncommercial expressions of cinema art. Exhibition has been made in collaboration with International cinema centre, within the framework of Fantasy Film festival.

Exhibition is open January 26 - March 30.

Your Riga At My Home
From collections of  architect P.Blūms (Latvia) and J.C.Cole (USA).
Riga in maps, engravings, lithography’s, wood-etchings, photographs, textile and articles from16 till 20 century.
Opening 26th of January at 4 p.m.

October 27th – December 21th, 2006
Opening October 27, p.m. 17.00

Latvian Architect’s Association and Latvian Museum of Architecture
Exhibition 20 before 40

           20 villas, detached houses, weekend dwellings, single family homes, apartment buildings, offices, shopping malls, sports clubs and leisure centres in the capital Riga and surroundings, as well as in small towns and the countryside, are the features of the Latvian landscape for which the young Latvian architects took responsibility at the beginning of our century.

In the exhibition take part:
Edmunds Rimkus (31). Janis Sauka (29). Biroji: “8am”- Eduards Beernaerts (35), Juris Lasis (37). „AB3D”- Juris Mitenbergs (34), Evija Eisaka (25). „Arteks” - Girts Kilevics (35), Vilnis Slars (34). „Depo projekts” - Uldis Zanders (38), Inga Bruzgule (37), Antra Saknite (34), Mikus Grende (). ”f.l.tadao & luksevics” - Uldis Luksevics (37), Martins Osans (31). ”Jaunromans & Abele” -  Martins Jaunromans (29), Mara Abele (29). „Lejnieku projektesanas birojs”- Mikus Lejnieks (30), Velga Orlova (37).  „MG arhitekti“ - Guntis Grabovskis (36),  Aigars Mazlazdins (29).     “Modus Mood” - Janis Alksnis (35), Nora Saulespurena (28), Andris Rubenis (25). „Palasta arhitekti” - Juris Berzins (35), Lolita Onckule (40), Normunds Zitmanis (30). „Projektesanas grupa F.L.Tadao“ - Ivars Lapins (36), Ivars Kalvans (30). “Sudraba arhitekti” - Reinis Liepins (36), Ilze Liepina (35), Renate Pablaka (29), Ainars Plankajs (41). Normunds Kagainis  (24). “Valeinis & Stepe”- Girts Valeinis (38), Karlis Stepe (41), Matiss Cebers (30), Andrejs Dauksis (30), Janis Prusaks (30).

May 30th – July 30th, 2006.
CONCERT HALL IN RIGA
International competition designs

CoopHimmelb(l)au (Austria), Klaus Kada + Gerhard Wittfeld (Germany), Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner Architekten (Germany), Henning Larsens Tegnestue A/S (Denmark), Snøhetta (Norway), Sīlis, Zābers& Kļava (Latvia), „„Z4” / ”Standardsituation” / ”B+G Ingenieure”” (Latvia), Venta Didrihsona arhitektūras Studija (Latvia), Arhitektonika (Latvia), Arhis (Latvia) and Sarma & Norde (Latvia).

The Winning design by Sīlis, Zābers& Kļava (Latvia)