Science museum and exploratorium in Kaunas

The building was designed as a link between Kaunas and the island on the Nemunas River. The form of the bridge allows you to place only 42% of the building's surface on valuable natural terrain. It ensures that the vehicular traffic, needed to operate the center, outside the island, will be working. Creates various possibilities of interaction with the river. Viewpoints, terraces with cafes, a water taxi stop. "X", also affects the transformation of the artery that cuts the city from the river into the riverside boulevard, enlarging the area of Kaunas' green lungs. Together with the planned southern bridge, it generates a walking and cycling network. The entrance square links the "X" with the historical part of the city. Park on the roof, blurs the border between the building and the natural environment of the island.

The planetarium, research laboratories, experiments building, located on the ground floor, allow for active participation in creating scientific events. The "black box" and the space around it is a field for the implementation of temporary installations and exhibitions. "Man", "Machine", "Nature/Ecology" galleries on the first floor, give an opportunity to get to know and interact with scientific breakthroughs and emerging trends. Symmetry of the building inspired by the traditional Lithuanian folk motif, with a geometry similar to the Koch fractal, snowflake. The spatial form of the object is a reference to the first bridges, branches or entire trees, which are transferred by the river with the forces of nature or man. The sculpture, texture and color of the façade, which was made in the prefabricated concrete panels technology, in imitation of natural wood, exposed to atmospheric factors. The shape of window openings and their mutual relations is inspired by wood drawings. The material palette is complemented by guiraba and Corten steel.

The building's strategy envisages using the river as the main factor in reducing the energy demand. Horizontal exchanger with a power of 400 kW, located at the bottom of the river, obtains heat in winter and cold in summer. Floor heating / cooling systems ensure even distribution inside the building. The ventilation is supported by the Tichelmann system exchanger located in the river's current. The air with a constant temperature of about 4 degrees Celsius, is being poured into the internal ventilation system, reduces the need to warm / cool the ventilation air. Rainwater is collected and used for sanitary purposes. There is also a separate system designed to collect and use the so-called "greywater". A dedicated installation will be responsible for recovering the heat from used water. Turbines designed for rivers with a free stream, will provide electricity necessary to illuminate the building. Solutions to reduce artificial light pollution were designed.