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The Best Graduation Projects of Architecture Students of Baltic States Awarded

11.11.2021

BAUA Awards 2021

Press release

November 11, 2021

On November 5, 2021, the best works of young architects from Baltic states were awarded at the ceremony held in Tallinn, Estonia. The jury unanimously agreed to award the prize for the Best Masters Project to Reda Petravičiūtė from Lithuania and give out two Honourable Mentions.

Matteo Cainer, Siiri Vallner, Reda Petravičiūtė, Dina Suhanova and Ignas Lukauskas. Photo: Raul Mee.

The event, organized for the ninth time by the Baltic Architects Unions Association (BAUA) aims to highlight the best young professionals presenting the best graduation projects of the schools from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This year’s edition features 17 projects from 7 architecture schools – Estonian Academy of Arts (EST); Tallinn University of Technology (EST); Kaunas University of Technology (LT); Vilnius Academy of Arts (LT); Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (LT); Riga Technical University (LV) and Riseba University (LV). 

The best projects were selected by independent professional jury members (none of them teaching in participating schools): Matteo Cainer, architect, curator, and educator (Matteo Cainer Architects, Italy), Siiri Vallner, architect (Kavakava, Estonia), Dina Suhanova, architect and researcher (The Institute of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture, Art Academy of Latvia, Latvia) and Dr. Ignas Lukauskas, architect (Vilniaus architektūros studija, Lithuania).

The evaluation was done in accordance with the defined criterias: conceptuality, originality, and innovativeness; coherent architectural and urban idea and aesthetics of presentation. 

The prize for the Best Masters Project was given to Reda Petravičiūtė from the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University with the project “Historical suburbs: a spatial manifesto for the aftermath of globalisation”.

„The work shows great enthusiasm, positivity and hope for architecture and urbanism. The issues she decided to address and the way she worked through them showed a very strong concept and great potential. Furthermore, her presentation was very professional and convincing, and she showed the capacity to use all the tools at her disposal illustrating all the multiple layers that are part of our profession. By giving her the first prize we hope that her approach and passion will be contagious.“ – the jury noted.

Reda Petravičiūtė. Photo: Raul Mee.

First Honourable Mention was given to Dorotėja Žiugždaitė from the Vilnius Academy of Arts with the project “Regeneration of a Block in Naujininkai: Adaptation of the Territory to the Residential Purpose According to the Methodological Principles of Self-made City”. 

“The work shows great understanding of the potential of the bottom-up approach in architecture. The result is a rich and layered project that is not overdesigned and envisions a new and a better world where the architect can directly serve the community.” – the jury commented.

Dorotėja Žiugždaitė. Photo: Raul Mee.

Second Honourable Mention was given to Andreas Krigoltoi from the Estonian Academy of Arts with the project “Finding a sustainable solution for the Lihula vodka distillery in the form of a cidery”. 

“The project addressed an issue that is very real in the Baltic states – the shrinking countryside, abandoned heritage and ruins, and through a well thought approach illustrated the potential of architecture to act as a catalyst for community building.” – the jury noted.

Andreas Krigoltoi. Photo: Raul Mee.

The best master’s project will be awarded 500 euros, the honourable mentions 250 euros each.

During the event, the participants presented their works to the jury and an audience at a live presentation in Tallinn, at the Terrace Hall of Tallinn Creative Hub. 

The BAUA Awards took place for the ninth time and was organized in Estonia for the third time.

The competition entries are introduced via an online catalogue.

The exhibition of the competition entries is open at the first-floor lobby of the Estonian Academy of Arts until November 19.

The next event of BAUA Awards will take place in Latvia, in autumn 2022. 

The organizers: Baltic Architects Unions Association (BAUA) / Architects Association of Lithuania, Estonian Association of Architects, Latvian Association of Architects.

Supporters: Culture Endowment of Estonia, Ministry of Culture Republic of Latvia, Lithuanian Council for Culture, Estonian Academy of Arts, TTK University of Applied Sciences, Knauf, Floorin and Forbo.

Press photos can be downloaded here.

The photo gallery of the event is accessible here.

Additional information: 

Kairi Rand

Project Manager
Estonian Association of Architects

kairi@arhliit.ee

• bauaawards2021_jury_protocol_051121_final.pdf