Janis Fridrihs Baumanis 1834 - 1891. Latvian architect. The son of a Daugava River raftsman, he began work as a carpenter, receiving his education at home. He was noticed by the St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, who was engaged on building projects in Riga (1859-60), and with Bohnstedt's support Baumanis studied architecture at the Berlin Bauakademie (1860-62) and the St Petersburg Academy of Arts (1862-65). In 1870-80 he was government architect for Livland province while establishing a successful private practice in Riga. The first professionally qualified Latvian architect, Baumanis played a prominent role in Latvian cultural life: in 1862 he helped to establish the first Russian architectural society (Obshchestvo arkhitektorov) in St Petersburg; in 1879 he participated in the creation of the Riga Architect' Society (Rigaer Architektten Verein), as well as helping to establish the Riga Latvian Society (Rigas Latviesu biedriba) in 1868, of which he was to become chairman (1872-65). His main architectural activity was the building of the new Riga boulevard area after the demolition (1857-63) of the fortress ramparts surrounding the old city, designing over 40% of the buildings there. Most of these are apartment houses in eclectic style, mainly Renaissance Revival, although occasionally Gothic Revival. His work is noted for its fine detailing and well developed plastic forms. Among his public buildings in Riga the most noteworthy are the Alexander Gymnasium (1 K. Barona Street; 1870-75), the Riga Circus (4 Merkela Street; 1889), the Regional Court (34 Brivibas Boulevard; 1888) and the State Bank (12 Pils Street; 1877). He also constructed three temporary timber concert halls in Riga for Latvian song festivals (1873, 1880, 1888). In total Baumanis built more than 150 buildings in Riga, including around 90 multi-storey masonry houses in the centre as well as one- or two-storey timber houses, some of which have survived. He also built 17 Russian Orthodox churches in Livland province (e.g. at Valmiera; 1875-68). Photo from collection of Latvian architecture museum
Zane Kalinka (born in 1947) Owner and chief project architect of Kubs, one of the leading architectural firms in the Baltics. Ms.Kalinka graduated from Riga Polytechnic Institute with a specialty in Architecture in 1971, and soon began working at the state-owned designing institute "PILSETPROJEKTS". After the institute was reorganized, she began her fruitful career with KUBS. Highlights from KalinkaâÀ™s career: 1982 - awarded the Lenin Komsomol prize of the USSR for carrying out the project "Children's Hospital in Riga". 1984 - awarded diploma at the World Exhibition of Architects in Bulgaria, Sophia for carrying out the project "Hotel Ridzene in Riga". 1985 - first prize and medal for implementation of the project "Hotel Ridzene in Riga" at the exhibition in Moscow. The USSR Association of Architects voted this project the best building of the USSR in 1984. 1988 - awarded Golden Medal at the Exhibition of the Achievements of National Economy in Moscow for the complex project of dwelling - houses in Sudrabkalna blvd. in Riga. 1989 - "Order of the Red Banner' for the project 'Slavutich - the town for the working people at the Chernobil AES'. 1997 - Ukraine National prize in architecture. Renowned projects: - Apartment bundling on 30 Tomsona street in Riga, "Tomsona Terases" (2003) - Trade Center at 72 Caka Street in Riga (2002) - Mezotnes Castle renovation (2001) - Living House in Jurmala, Kapu street (2000) - "Park Hotel Ridzene" redevelopment in Riga (2000) - Chrysler Trade Center, Krasta Street, Riga (1999-2001) |
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