V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania – All photo by Norbert Tukaj unless indicated otherwise, courtesy of 3deluxe.

Urban Public Space – “We wanted to bring people together, to create new opportunities, and to improve the quality of life for people in Kaunas.” Explain at 3deluxe. The German architecture practice’s V-Plaza in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas reflects the natural flows of movement of passers-by. Dynamic thoroughfares, staggered seating and steps, gently sloping green spaces and water features connect the different height levels of the square.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.
An artificial stream meanders through the organic concrete landscape with wooden islands, inviting visitors to linger and play, while an interactive fountain installation enlivens the large, flat open space in the square, which can also be used for events, festivals and markets.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

The man who is funding the transformation of the square is a passionate skateboarder and wanted to offer skate enthusiasts a new home in the city, hence large parts of V-Plaza are laid out to be skater-friendly too. Specialists in skate park construction were therefore brought on board to help realize the challenging free forms developed by 3deluxe.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

The studio has also created an exciting ensemble buildings reinterpreting the city’s architectural history. All the construction embrace the square with white-rendered façades creating a radiant unique ensemble.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

Inspired by neighbouring historical buildings, the new corner building pays homage to Lithuania’s Art Deco heritage “with its rounded and organically shaped glass fronts and the elongated façade”.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

The central new-build block reflects the city’s Bauhaus tradition epitomizing the International Style of the early 1960s. “The redesign of the façade picks up on the aesthetic simplicity to be found in this Baltic testimony to mid-century Modern, with a pronounced Cubist design vocabulary and clear lines.”

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

An elongated panoramic roof pavilion overlooking the city covers both the newly built and the renovated structures melding different styles to create a new whole. The materials used form a welcoming interplay of light granite, wood, and elaborately modeled elements made of white molded concrete. The choice of plants for the green spaces is based on the local flora.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

All photos by Norbert Tukaj unless stated otherwise – courtesy of 3deluxe.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Norbert Tukaj, courtesy of 3deluxe.

V-PLAZA by 3deluxe in Kaunas, Lithuania - Photo by Sascha Jahnke, courtesy of 3deluxe.

Photo by Sascha Jahnke.