The theme of this year’s Forum, ‘Brief’, highlights the importance of articulating a clear vision in architecture by raising questions such as: what is the importance of design in the commissioning process? Who and how becomes the commissioning architects who voice the collective voice of the city, and how do we adapt existing infrastructure to new needs as life changes? Architektūros fondo forumas also invites texts and visual narratives to join the discussion in an open call on the architectural criticism platform “Aikštėje”.

Participants: Valentina Sansone, Skirmantas Bikelis, Jekaterina Lavrinec, Kaspars Lielgalvis, Kristiaan Borret, Darius Žakaitis, Justinas Dūdėnas, Inga Urbonaitė-Vadoklienė, Laura Kairienė, Donatas Baltrušaitis, Algimantas Neniškis.

Programme:

30 November(TSEKH Gallery, Vytenio g. 6)

Cities change with the needs of society, and inevitably some buildings lose their purpose or owners. What happens to the built environment when it is left abandoned or is confiscated due to legal violations? What practices and systems do we have in place for managing the real estate reserve and how do we bring buildings back into the city life? A discussion with researchers and activists will explore real estate management systems and international examples of their social re-use.

18:30 Introduction

18:35 Presentation by Valentina Sansone about Magazzino Brancaccio and her research carried out in Vilnius with Dr. Skirmantas Bikelis.

19:10 Presentation by Kaspars Lielgalvis on regeneration projects currently under development at the former premises of Riga Technical University and the former World Trade Centre Riga.

19:30 Talk on the social re-use of buildings. Participants: Dr. Skirmantas Bikelis, Valentina Sansone, Kaspars Lielgalvis, Jekaterina Lavrinec.

20:30 Drinks and snacks

1 December (Juodoji salė of the Art Printing House, Šiltadaržio str. 6, Vilnius)

The city is a place of coexistence for many different people and social groups, its spatial development is a constantly ongoing process. So who in the city and how creates a shared and continuous vision of the future, allowing us to plan and design the city for upcoming generations? In a discussion with Vilnius and Brussels chief architects, architectural competition organisers, developers and researchers we will explore the role of the city as a client in assessing spatial needs, shaping the desires of the future and translating them into a programme and requirements for our built environment.

18:00 Introductory presentation by architect and architectural journalist Justinas Dūdėnas on the architecture commissioning culture.

18:30 Presentation by Laura Kairiene, Chief Architect of the City of Vilnius, on the experiences, tools and future aspirations of the City of Vilnius in improving the quality of architectural development processes.

18:50 Presentation by Kristiaan Borret bouwmeester – maître architecte of Brussels Capital Region “Soft Power. The role of design quality governance in Brussels urban development”.

19:20 Short break.

19:30 Discussion with Laura Kairienė, Kristiaan Borret, Justinas Dūdėnas, Darius Žakaitis, Inga Urbonaitė-Vadoklienė, Algimantas Neniškis. Moderated by Donatas Baltrušaitis.

20:30 End of the Forum, drinks and snacks at the Shinzo Bar.

Design: Eglė Kirlytė.

The organisation is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. 
Partner of the event – Vilnius City Municipality.
Information partner – LRT.