PROJECT DETAILS
Visionary educational centre
New VIZIUM science centre in Latvia equipped with window and facade systems by WICONA
In the Latvian city of Ventspils, a new science and innovation centre with a unique educational programme based on the natural sciences and physics has come into being. The building designed by Audrius Ambrasas Architects (Lithuania/Vilnius) boasts an impressive futuristic architecture with an extensive glass facade. Project-specific facade and window solutions by WICONA were used in the process.
Educational facilities in a class of their own
The name VIZIUM is made up of Ventspils ("V“), innovations ("I“), science ("ZI“) and centre ("um“) and indicates the mission of the new science complex: promoting the development of knowledge and supporting career choices in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among preschoolers, school pupils and students. To this end, the huge building offers seven interactive galleries inside – sports, smart tech, physics and mathematics, geography and the world, human cognition and a children's gallery. These galleries help to create a better understanding of these themes in a fun and interactive way. In addition, VIZIUM is also home to laboratories, conference rooms, classrooms and creative workshop spaces for physics, chemistry and other natural sciences, to name just a few. The new centre is therefore set to motivate not just schools but also tourists and families with children to engage with their fascination for science and nature all year round.
Architecture and nature in harmony
VIZIUM was designed by Audrius Ambrasas Architects as a harmonious bond between architecture and landscape. The rectangular and futuristic-looking building is divided in two for functional reasons. While the science centre forms the lower section of the space, the innovation centre is located in the six floors that form the upper part of the building. The building's architecture splits the surrounding area into two sections. The western part accommodates the access and parking spaces. The eastern part is characterised by a hill that provides a space for open-air events and offers a view over the nearby river. The hill leads directly to the roof terrace. The entrance to the public facilities such as the cafe and conference hall is also found here.
Project-specific facade and window solutions
One of VIZIUM's highlights is the extensive glass facade – made with aluminium systems specifically tailored to the project by WICONA. Firstly, the high-performance WICTEC 50 mullion-transom facade system was used. This system boasts ultra-slim face widths of 50 mm inside and out, along with outstanding thermal insulation values (Uf up to 0.65 W/(m²K)). Moreover, a project-specific version of the WICLINE 75 window system was installed. Rimantas Staknevičius, WICONA Manager for the Baltic region, explains: "We developed special window frames and casements for this project. Glass was affixed in parts to conceal the aluminium frame profiles and achieve an all-glass effect. The window casement also has a special shape, so that only the glass is visible from the outside. All opening parts are not rectangular. It was therefore necessary to develop special corner connectors and fittings." The glass facade is optically complemented by high-end copper cladding. In order to prevent the copper from losing its dark golden tone over time, the sheets were specially treated using a technique applied in Latvia for the first time.
In conclusion: VIZIUM marks the creation of a visionary innovation and knowledge centre in Ventspils, which is already attracting interest far beyond national borders not long after its opening.
