Europos parkas. A House Like a Sculpture. Text by G.Kociene

Journal Namas ir As. A House Like a Sculpture. Text by G. Kociene. Photos by R. Urbakavicius

p.1-2

Not only a sculptural construction overgrown with grass creates harmony, but also no less effective its reflection in a painterly pond. An impressive eye of the glass surface of the building glows through the trunks of carefully preserved trees The outline of the concrete wall repeats the lines of relief

p.3-4

The main conference hall with softly curved window frame opens to the landscape of the sculpture park Mutual harmony: the building is reflected in water, and nature, in huge glass windows

p.5-6

The small conference hall has been separated from the relaxation zone by a sliding glass partition wall A contrasting aesthetics of rough concrete and smooth glass and metal dominates on the first level of the building

p.7-8

The dome comfortably frames the space of the relaxation zone The transparent glass band conveys elegant grace to the concrete volume

p.9-10

A HOUSE LIKE A SCULPTURE

by Grazina Kociene - Namas ir as, 2007 No. 6

Summary of the Article in English

Europos parkas or The Park of Europe founded by sculptor Gintaras Karosas nearly twenty year ago is a location of many international sculpture symposia and a constantly changing open air exposition. The artist has finished another project this year: the construction of a conference and educational centre. This modern concrete volume has naturally merged with a hill. At the beginning Gintaras was looking for the perfect shape in his sketches, and then, together with constructor Vidmantas Grinka, he formed the unusual building straight on location. It seemed like not a building, but a huge sculpture revealing the mysterious interior spaces of the hill. Gintaras has also realised his idea of a green roof; therefore, it seems that the building has been simply dug into the slope.

A spacious conference hall is on the ground floor equipped with contemporary technology. It is light and original window opens to a wonderful view of a pond. The rough outside has been painted white inside in order to create an almost sterile environment. Yet on the other level, the surfaces are of ‘naked’ concrete surround the exposition of Artist’s House Gintaras’s designed for the international project DIDART (sponsored by Culture 2000). Yet the premises can be used for other purposes: they reach indirectly a small relaxation hall designed for coffee breaks and covered with a concrete dome. Light enters this area through an originally shaped glass surface and an impressive glass band. Special moulds were used to cut glass for these constructions. From the first floor, minimalist stairs lead to the library and technical premises.

Yet the moment one leaves this building, harmony with nature is restored, which can be created with the most diverse modern means.

Photos' comments

p.1-2

A House Like a Sculpture. Conference Centre at Europos Parkas

p.3-4

at left above: Not only a sculptural construction overgrown with grass creates harmony, but also no less effective its reflection in a painterly pond

at left below: An impressive eye of the glass surface of the building glows through the trunks of carefully preserved trees

at right: The outline of the concrete wall repeats the lines of relief

p.5-6

at left above: The main conference hall with softly curved window frame opens to the landscape of the sculpture park

at left below: The author of the project G. Karosas

at right above: Mutual harmony: the building is reflected in water, and nature, in huge glass windows

at left above: Up to 120 people can be received in the conference hall

p.7-8

at left above: The small conference hall has been separated from the relaxation zone by a sliding glass partition wall

at left below: An Artist's House by G.Karosas is exhibited in the small hall

at right: A contrasting aesthetics of rough concrete and smooth glass and metal dominates on the first level of the building

p.9-10

at left above: The dome comfortably frames the space of the relaxation zone

at left below: The domed hall has been designed for coffee breaks

at right: The transparent glass band conveys elegant grace to the concrete volume