The Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art’s ambition is to become the most visited art museum in the Baltic States, as well as a cultural and arts centre of interregional significance, whose exhibitions are regularly included in the programmes of museums in other countries. Its unique collection spans art and visual culture in Latvia and the Baltic Sea region from the 1960s, and the Foundation’s connections enable it to arrange the loan of collections from private collectors.
The vision outlined in the museum’s concept envisages that the museum building should become an architectural tour de force and one of Riga’s leading visitor attractions. The building must be built using environmentally-sustainable solutions that attract international interest and acclaim.
The architectural competition will be run by London-based Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC), which successfully organised the recent Guggenheim Helsinki architectural competition.
“This project gives architects the opportunity to design a building on an exceptional site within easy reach of the very heart of the capital. Right now, as far as European capital cities are concerned, this is a rare opportunity,” said MRC chairman, Malcolm Reading. “The objective of the architectural competition is to choose a team of architects and the museum’s architectural concept design.”
MRC estimate that this process could take up to six months, as it is going to approach architects of international standing and the prerequisite for the collaboration – stipulated by the Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation – ensures Latvian architects will be involved in drafting the competition offers, as well as in subsequent work with the winning team of architects.
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The site of the new museum is near the centre of the capital, Riga
