“Lelija” Factory and Territory Conversion
A former sewing factory transformed to mixed-use complex
Type: Mixed-use building complex
Status: Undergoing
Area: Territory: 2.10ha, DO ARCHITECTS designed building area: 22 250m2
Year: 2023 - ongoing
Location: Naujamiestis, Vilnius, Lithuania
Team: Gilma Teodora Gylytė, Vadim Babij, Andrė Baldišiūtė, Sabina Grincevičiūtė, Algimantas Neniškis, Miglė Karaškaitė, Martyna Kildaitė Collaboration: A2SM, Audrius Ambrasas Architecture
ENG
"Lelija", meaning Lily flower, was once the largest sewing workers union. The "Lelija" sewing factory in Vilnius was established after the Second World War, in 1947, in then an industrial area. After more than 70 years, the production has ceased in the factory. The time has come for "Lelija" Factory legacy to be preserved and to be transformed into the "Tech Zity Lilium" - a mixed-use complex consisting of residential, office, and shopping spaces.
Three Architects offices (DO ARCHITECTS, A2SM, Audrius Ambrasas Architecture) were chosen to develop the buildings and the territory design based on same key core values. The project places significant emphasis on historic site context and public spaces. Currently the site is neglected, fenced and inaccessible to visitors. The aim of project is to return the territory as integral and well functioning area of city fabric.
Historic identity heritage and transformation are central to the overall design. 5 buildings are identified as valuable or significant and therefore are preserved by reconstruction of variuos degrees. The new buildings are integrated into the territory by creating contemporary functional program, communal areas and public accessibility. The project showcases the economic and cultural value of adaptive reuse of existing buildings and adding new functions.
The designed building has a clear expression of the industrial building's concept and size. During the reconstruction project, the building's industrial character is further emphasized and highlighted.
PEDESTRIAL ALLEY
Territory was closed off to city residents and only accessible to workers at the "Lelija" sewing factory for a long time, it is proposed to open up this territory to the city and design a new pedestrian street alley that will be open to the public and connect various and diverse internal block spaces.
HISTORIC STREETS OF XIX CENTURY
In the 19th century, a regular grid of streets was established in Naujamiestis, and the perimeter blocks, where industry was developed, were shaped. Eventually, the street that existed next to the plot disappeared, and the block became double the size of a typical Naujamiestis block.
STREET CONNECTION RESTORED
When creating the territorial urban and architectural concept, the historical and urban structure of the Naujamiestis street network is taken into account, and the connection between Panerių and Kauno Street is proposed to be restored.
THE BOTANY OF PROJECT
Human scaled pedestrian street with typical elements of small architecture (benches, small street lights) is being created. Lush green inner courtyards with cafes and wooden terraces on the first floors are also created to keep the area lively in the evenings and mornings and to attract people passing by. The trees growing in the area are preserved as much as possible and supplemented with new evergreen plantings, thus creating year-round shrubbery masses.
INTERIOR SPACES
The industrial uniqueness is preserved in the interior spaces: existing and new structures are preserved and showcased, the spaciousness and volume of the rooms are maintained, adapting them to new functions. The large and airy feel of the space is preserved and adapted to suit contemporary functions. Raw and untreated materials like natural wood, stainless steel, and concrete dominate the finish, adding to the industrial character of the space. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, the lighting is soft and harmonious.
