National Song Festival Arena
Mailitis A.I.I.M., Arhitekta J. Pogas birojs. Riga, Latvia
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Name of work in English
National Song Festival Arena
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Name of work in original language
Jaunā Mežaparka estrāde
Prize year
EUmies Awards 2022
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Work Location
Riga, Latvia
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Studio
Mailitis A.I.I.M., Arhitekta J. Pogas birojs
EUmies Awards 2022 Nominees
Artificial forest for choir of 20 000 singers
Collaborators
Architect: Juris Poga, Astra Poga, Ilva Asmusa, Žanna Turova, Jānis Melderis, Reinis Vilnītis, Austris Mailītis; Art: Ivars Mailītis; Architect: Matīss Mailītis, Reiji Kobayashi, Andra Odumāne, Jānis Lielmanis, Deniss Maruhļenko, Žanete Bērziņa; Art: Darja Meļņikova; Structural engineering: Andis Vecvērdiņš, Juris Kučiks, Aldis Grasmanis, Didzis Žīgurs; Acoustical: Andris Zabrauskis, Karlheinz Muller, Michael Wahl
Program
Culture
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Labels
Music · Nature
Site area
91997 m²
Total gross floor
10800 m²
Completion
2021
Latvian nationalwide Song and Dance Celebration is core cultural event in Latvia. It brings together singers from all regions of Latvia thus forming the choir of up to 20000 singers. A unique acapella singing tradition it is included in UNESCO list of masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The concept of “Silver Grove on a Hill of Songs” is formed in associations with the Latvian landscape and the wisdom from Latvian folk songs. The tribune of singers symbolically represents “Mountain”. The basic element of the roof construction is “Tree”. The roof structure above the tribune is formed by intertwining of branches “Grove”. Acoustic panels, lights and membrane attached to the roof structure forms “Foliage” the base for stage scenography and spatial acoustics. The newly built stage and spectator area increases capacity and promotes a more dynamic flow of people. There are 12,874 seats for singers in the tribune. 10 choir entrances have been created. The enlarged spectator area has 30,511 seats or 67,437 standing spaces.
Choir tribune - concrete Roof construction - metal structure Acoustic reflectors - plywood