World renowned Studio Libeskind has released designs for a new cultural centre – the ‘Vilnius Beacon’ in Lithuania.
The studio has been commissioned to design the centre by the City of Vilnius, as well as private investors State Trade Co. and Start Vilnius Co.
The new ‘Beacon’ will be built on Liepkalnis Ski Hill, already a tourist hotspot. It will provide a new space for winter and summer sports, as well as acting as a multi-purpose destination for the whole of Europe by offering a combined programme of recreational and cultural entertainment.
Design features will include a central plaza that will act as as an open arena/sports centre with a surrounding undercover pathway. There will be retail and public amenities as well as two restaurants. One of these will offer a fine dine experience on the third floor, which will provide panoramic views of the landscape and city below. The second restaurant will be a more casual affair, with bistro style dining and access to an open terrace leading outside.
The ground floor of the building will act as the Regional Park Information centre, serving as a flexible space that can be used for conferences and events all year round.
Studio Libeskind director Daniel Libeskind said: “The Beacon is set to become a new epicentre of entertainment, leisure and culture for the city.”
Construction on the project is expected to begin sometime this year, with completion set for 2016.
