On January 22, 2020 a seminar on Soviet times architectural heritage took place in Kalni, Nīgrande parish, Saldus county.

On January 22, 2020, the fourth out of five seminar series planned within “Clean Brownfields” project took place in Kalni culture centre, Kalni, Nīgrande parish, Saldus county. 30 municipal specialists from Kurzeme and Lithuanian project partners , mostly representing architects, construction boards, development departments took part on the seminar.

The theme of the seminar was Soviet times architectural heritage which in most cases means degraded, partly used, abandoned or even derelict buildings and territories in the towns and rural areas of both countries.

Agenda of the seminar included three lectures and presentations as well as sight – seeing around a very typical example of Soviet times architectural heritage – Kalni administrative centre, including culture centre – the building, interior, Soviet times village planning.

The first presentation was dedicated to a vast review and the analysis on the Soviet times architectural heritage – starting with the socio – economic context of its origin and leading to types, assessment, application and usage possibilities, and activities today.

The second presentation was dedicated to the quality of Soviet times housing –  sustainable development of housing, development of multi – apartment dwelling buildings and surrounding dwelling area. The issues of technical safety, functionality, esthetic quality and creation of socially comfortable living environment for the people were discussed, with accent on every person’s social comfort at his housing and nearest environment.

The third theme contained an interactive lecture on the importance and approaches how to involve people, state and municipal institutions and and private clients at early design stages, especially when the subject of the cooperation is reconstruction of the architectural heritage object. Agreement on the needs of the client, solutions, looking for compromises has to be reached during early design stages, thus saving time, funding and creating high quality final product.  It was demonstrated how to guide the process step by step to create functionally well-considered, comfortable and a high quality architectural value object.

In most cases Soviet times architecture is considered to be a burden to people’s and institutions budget and surrounding environment. The seminar demonstrated and proved that Soviet times architecture heritage, especially modernism examples, has its own place and deserves attention. Many of the buildings and territories put in order, well- maintained, renovated or reconstructed may find their respectable place on our heritage “list” and usage today.