Stasys Museum

In 2017, an architectural competition was held to select the best project idea. The reason for the competition was a collection of artworks donated to the artist Stasys Eidrigevičius’s hometown. The site is located in the very center of Panevėžys, where the “Garsas” cinema once operated; however, the outdated building created a closed-off public space. The new museum conveys a different architectural message and introduces a new, high-quality social public space that brings the city’s residents together within the context of 20th-century architecture. The building’s program focuses not only on exhibition spaces but also creates a democratic, open platform for the local community.

The ambition of the project was not only to establish a museum based on the collection of works by Stasys Eidrigevičius, but also to create an urban catalyst that would connect the community and accelerate the city’s development as a socio-cultural and economic entity. Therefore, great attention was given to the diversity of functions and the quality of public space - new, important connections were created between the eastern and western parts of the city center. This place holds sentimental value for the townspeople due to its historical function - the former cinema that once operated here - which is why the building’s program includes a non-commercial cinema hall, its volume emphasized in the public space as a distinctly important element. The artist himself became part of the museum’s architectural project - in the building’s lobby, there is a special artwork by Stasys Eidrigevičius dedicated to the museum, a sculpture is placed in the public space, and all of the project’s infographics were also specially designed for this building by the artist.

The building’s structural scheme is simple and logical - this is not only practical in case the museum’s program needs to be adapted to changing needs in the future, but also inexpensive to implement, which is important for the budget of a relatively small city, making the project feasible. Most of the building’s structures and finishes, including the façades, were produced locally, and the building achieved the highest energy efficiency class. The choice of materials reflects the overall concept of the building - simplicity. This is important ideologically, as the focus is placed not on spectacle, but on content - on people and art.