The complex of „K“ and „D“ Towers

About object:

The history of Klaipėda city is long and complicated. Since XIV century this City-harbour-fortress had overlooked the Baltic sea. There are two teritories in the central part of Klaipėda, that distinguish for its urban network and social status – it’s the old town and the only Lithuanian sea harbour. The nearness of these two structures became the main conditions, that determined the architectural expression and functional model of new buildings that we’ve created. Till now the city silhouette from the sea side was formed only by harbour (c)ranes (in Lithuanian „(K)ranai“). New vertical volumes interpret these (c)ranes, also it becomes the metaphor of the city name (K)laipėda, harbour and sea (c)oast (in Lithuanian (K)rantas), and the new location sign of city oldtown. Buildings are designed so that its narrow sides (without any small details) overlook the oldtown. Facades are made of red clinker bricks, the materials that dominate in the region. Thus facades become the particular continuation of the oldtown roofs.
„K“ tower has a hotel, a restaurant and offices. The glass facade plane of this building is facing the neighbouring street „Naujojo sodo“. The „D“ form residential tower is oriented towards harbour gate and parallel to the coast line.
Two first stories of the complex connecting the towers has a facade expression characteristic to local building technique „fachverk“: wooden framework filled with masonry and plaster. Clinker tile stripes and coloured glass planes form the street facade. A restaurant, sports centre and offices of local newspaper are located in the first floor. The central hall with staircase of unique monolithic structure connects all these different functional areas. Bowling, bar and offices are in the second floor.
The two towers welcome the ships in the harbour as well they are the meeting point for the citizens. The view point at the 70 meters height allows visitors to enjoy the scenery of Klaipėda city, sea and „Neringa“ shell protected by UNESCO.

R. Leitanaitė