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Baltic Architects Unions Association (BAUA) consists of Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian Architects unions with a shared goal to promote baltic architecture on the global stage.

BAUA Student Awards

The BAUA Awards were created by the three members of the Baltic Architects Unions Association. The exhibition and competition of the best graduation projects by architecture students was first organized back in 2012 by the Latvian Association of Architects in Daugavpils. The second in 2014, was hosted in Vilnius by the Architects Association of Lithuania. Since then, the competition has been held annually in a different capital city of the Baltic States.

The aim of the event is to present, compare and award the best graduation works of architecture students from the Baltic States. It provides a platform for architecture students, inviting them to showcase their creative potential, obtain evaluation and feedback from professionals and the international community of architects. The exhibition reflects the results and quality of architectural education in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, provides an opportunity to compare methods and programmes of education and fosters collaboration and contact between young architects and academic societies.

BAUA Student Awards 2023

BAUA Awards 2023 event was organised in Kaunas, Lithuania, Kaunas Technical University on the 9th of November. This year jury awarded one diploma project - Katariina Mustasaar, “Post-Industrial Seascape: Phytoremediation of Paljassaare Harbour“. Katariina Mustasaar is a graduate from Estonian Academy of Arts (EE). Two of the projects received an honorary award - Egle Dimaitytė-Vainermanė (LT) project “Interpretation of Historical Possession in the Forms of Wood Architecture” and Mark Aleksander Fischer (EE) project “Planning Affordable Housing in Northern Tallinn  Kopli Freight Station – the Last Piece of the Puzzle in the Socio-Economic Landscape of Northern Tallinn”.

Awards were chosen by an international jury consisting of Dina Suhanova, architect, researcher at Art Academy of Latvia and a board member of the Latvian Association of Architects, architect Kristel Niisuke from Estonia, architect and researcher Matas Šiupšinskas from Lithuania.

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BAUA Student Awards 2022

2022 BAUA awards event was organized in Liepaja, Latvia, concert hall “Great Amber” on the 21st of October. The Master's award winners - Merilin Kaup from the Estonian Academy of Arts (EST) with her work "Practical Utopias" (tutors - Katrin Koov, Kadri Klementi, Eik Hermann) and Janis Apsitis from Riseba University of Applied Sciences (LV) with his work "Expansion of Winter Sports Facilities in Sigulda - Ski Jumping Hill." (tutors - Ilze Paklone, Efe Duyan). The honorary mention was given to Kotryna Bajorinaitė, Aurelija Kniukštaitė, and Jonė Virbickaitė from Vilnius Academy of Arts with their joint project “Creating a Quality Environment According to the Criteria of the New European Bauhaus. Naujoji Vilnia” (tutors - Aurimas Syrusas, Aušra Siaurusaitytė- Nekrošienė) and Justīne Kate Hesse from RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design with her work “Bolderāja and Daugavgrīva Cultural Regeneration: Waterfront Intervention Scheme and Love Island's Boardwalk” (tutor - Rudolfs Dainis Šmits), and Eneli Kleemann from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with her work “Home in the office-community-led housing in Maakri quarter." (tutors - Laura Linsi, Roland Reemaa)

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BAUA Student Awards 2021

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2021 BAUA awards event was organized in Tallin's creative hub by The Union of Estonian Architects on the 5th of November. The Master's award winner - Reda Petravičiūtė from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban design with her work "Historical suburbs – a spatial manifesto for the aftermath of globalisation" (tutors - Dalia Dijokiene). An honorary mention was given to Andreas Krigoltoi from the Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with his work "Finding a sustainable solution for the Lihula vodka distillery in the form of a cidery" (tutors - Toomas Tammis and Tarmo Teedumae) and Dorotėja Žiugždaitė from Vilnius Academy of Arts, Faculty of Vilnius with her work "Adaptation of the Territory to the Residential Purpose According to the Methodological Principles of Self-made City." (tutors - Lekt. Aurimas Syrusas)

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BAUA Student Awards 2020

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2020 BAUA award event was an online event, organized by the Architects Association of Lithuania on the 15th of October. The Master's award winner - Keiti Lige from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with her work “REVALUATION. The impact of recycling demolition waste on space” (tutors - Kadri Klementi and Katrin Koov). The Bachelor's award winner- Ksenia Sapega from RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design with her work “Cross-border urban synergy of Braslaw and Daugavpils. Educational port in Braslaw” (tutors - Mg. Arch. Didzis Jaunzems and Dr. Arch. Ilze Paklone). An honorary mention was given to Goda Žukaite from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture with her work “Phenomenon of urban boundary in a structure of a city. The case of Naujoji Vilinia district” (tutors - Inesa Alistratovaite Kurinaitienė).

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BAUA Student Awards 2019

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2019 BAUA awards event was organized in Latvian National Library (Riga) by the Latvian Association of Architects on the 11th of November. The Master’s award winner - Ruta Rinkule from RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design with her work “Local plan of territory Saulkrasti district area “Silmala ” with the change of land use from allotments to residential use” (tutors - Sandra Levāne). The Bachelor’s award winner - Martynas Kilius from Kaunas University of Technology Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture with his work “Centre of Righteous among the Nations in Kaunas” (tutors - Doc. Gintaras Balcytis) and Povilas Vincentas Jankūnas from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban design with his work “Urban redevelopment in Šiaurės miestelis, Vilnius. Technocultural megastructure.” (tutors - Doc. Dr. Dalja Dijokiene). An honorary mention was given to Helmi Marie Langsepp from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with her work “On not-building. Mountain, Mountain Village and Visitors” (tutors - Kadri Klementi and Katrin Koov) and Matijs Babris from Riga Technical University Architecture faculty with his work “Treehouses in nature tourism development Strenči nature park revitalisation - Water tourism centre” (tutors - Dr. Arch. Uģis Bratuškins).

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BAUA Student Awards 2018

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2018 BAUA awards event was organized in Tallin by The Union of Estonian Architects on the 18th of October. The Master’s award winner - Arvi Anderson from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with his work “Common Central-Estonia” (tutors - Renee Puusepp and Martin Melioranski). The Bachelor’s award winner - Sten Vendik from TTK University of Applied Sciences Institute of Architecture with his work “The garden of remembrance in Paevälja” (tutors - Tomomi Hayashi).

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BAUA Student Awards 2017

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2017 BAUA awards event was organised in Vilnius by the Architects Association of Lithuania. The Master’s award winner - Marten Peterson from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with her work "Combinatorics of Local Materials in the Example of Peat and Oilshale Ash". The Bachelor’s award winner - Juta Davidovska from RISEBA University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Architecture and Design with her work "Visitor Center of the Lost Valley of Daugava River".

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BAUA Student Awards 2016

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2016 BAUA awards “Sustainability and Creativity in Development” event was organized in Riga Technical University Faculty of Architecture by the Latvian Association of Architects on the 7th of October. The Master's award winner - Andra Odumāne from the Riga Technical University Architecture faculty with her work "Reconstruction of Cesis Old Beer Brewery" (tutors - Austris Mailītis and Sandra Levāne). The Bachelor's award winner - Gabriele Griusyte from Vilnius Academy of Arts, Faculty of Kaunas with her work "Berlin University Residences - Flamingos at bay" (tutors - Linas Tuleikis). An honorary mention was given to Anastassija Malkova from TTK University of Applied Sciences Institute of Architecture with her work "Lasname's panel housing architectural and constructional refurbishment" (tutors - Tomomi Hayashi and Elo Kiivet) and Lina Liis-Pihu from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with her work "To Demolish or not to demolish?" (tutors - Katrin Koov and Aet Ader).

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BAUA Student Awards 2015

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2015 BAUA awards event was organized in Tallin by The Union of Estonian Architects on the 9th of September. The Master’s award winner - Reinis Sokolovs, representing RTU Riga technical University with work "Ski jumping complex in Sigulda". The Bachelor’s award winner - Viktoria Andrejeva from Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Architecture with her work "The Multifunctional Student Housing of Ut Narva College". A honorary mention was given to Laimute Burzinskaite from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture with work “The Living Megastructure in the Baltic Sea” and Mark Grimitliht from TTK University of Applied Sciences Institute of Architecture with his work “Architecture of sacred natural sites”.

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BAUA Student Awards 2014

2014 BAUA awards event was organized in Vilnius by the Architects Association of Lithuania on the 30th of November. The Master’s award winner - Kristi Tuurmann from Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning with his work “Tallin North Activity spaces” and Donatas Cesiulis from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture with his work “Social Centre Vilnius New city”, and Lukas Tuleikis (unknown tutors) from Vilnius Academy of Arts, Faculty of Vilnius with his work “Žaliakalnis Conservatory Care center for the Mentally ill” The Bachelor’s award winner - Ats Buddell from TTK University of Applied Sciences Institute of Architecture with his work “Rail Baltic and Tallin public transport system integration in Tallin city”

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Participation in UIA

The UIA is a non-governmental organization recognized by UNESCO as the only architectural union operating at an international level. Through various events and activities, the UIA acts as a platform for knowledge sharing, helping craft innovative and collaborative solutions for architectural advancement, with a particular focus on the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Established in 1990, BAUA joined the UIA as a collective member in 1993. The delegate of LAS actively participated in every congress since then, displaying stands in various locations worldwide. Exhibitions took place in Turin, Italy (2008), Tokyo, Japan (2011), Durban, South Africa (2014), Seoul, South Korea (2017), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2020). The association's latest participation occurred at the 28th UIA Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023. The same year BAUA decided to withdraw from the UIA over Ukraine war. BAUA has been a member of UIA from 1993 till 2023.

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Copenhagen 2023

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BAUA organized a pavilion idea competition in Copenhagen for the 28th UIA congress “Leave No One Behind”. The 1st place award of 1200 EUR was given to Karl Pops from Estonia for their project “Parallel Worlds”. The 2nd place award of 800 EUR was given to Iiris Tähti Toom from Estonia for their project "Bloc Party". The 3rd place award of 400 EUR was given to Helin Kuldkepp and Laura Liis Vilbiks for the project “One Click Away”. The jury was composed of Rūta Leitanaitė (LT), Marius Dirgėla (LT), Mae Köömnemägi (EE), Johan Tali (EE), Juris Poga (LV) and Dina Suhanova (LV).

Rio 2020

Official webpage

BAUA organized a pavilion idea competition in Rio de Janeiro for the UIA congress “Rio - BAUA PAVILION ARCHITECTURAL IDEA COMPETITION”. The 1st place award of 1000 EUR was given to Jonas Lideikis and Tomas Skripkiūnas from Lithuania for their project “Printing Architecture”. The 2nd place award of 600 EUR was given to Ervins Gorelovs, Matijs Babris, Egils Markuss and Eliass Valters from Latvia for their project “BAB2021”. The 3rd place award of 300 EUR was given to Martynas Valevičius for the project “Just One Silhouette”. The jury was composed of Rūta Leitanaitė (LT), Marius Dirgėla, Hindrek Kesler (EE), Sergejs Nikiforovs, Juris Poga (LV), Kaur Talpsep.

Seoul 2017

Facebook event

BAUA organized a pavilion idea competition in Vilnius for the UIA congress “Seoul - City Soul”. The 1st place award of 1000 EUR was given to Jonas Lideikis and Tomas Skripkiūnas from Lithuania for their project “CITY TUNE”. The 2nd place award of 600 EUR was given to Kadi Paluoja from Estonia for the project “soil”. The 3rd place award of 300 EUR was given to Eglė Rutkauskaitė and Mantas Gipas for their project “IN DISPERSE”. The jury was composed of Rūta Leitananté (LT), Aurimas Sasnauskas (LT), Hindrek Kesler (EE), Mark Grimitliht (EE), Juris Poga (LV), Ilze Paklone (LV), Beatrice Leanza (IT).

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Durban 2014

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BAUA organized a pavilion idea competition in Vilnius for the UIA congress “Durban - Architecture otherwhere”. The 1st place award of 800 EUR was given to Mark Grimitliht from Estonia with his work “DOTS”. The 2nd place award of 300 EUR was given to Ieva Burtkute from Lithuania and her work “Arch_watching”. The 3rd place award of 100 EUR was given to the group OÜ b210 from Estonia and their work “ICE”. The jury was composed of Hidrek Kesler (EE), Ingrid Aasoja (EE), Viktors Valgums (LV), Juris Poga(LV), Gintautas Blažūnas (LT), Rūta Leitanaite (LT), Villem Tomiste (EE)

Tokyo 2011

Press release

BAUA announced a pavilion idea competition for the UIA 24th congress “Tokyo - Design 2050” in December of 2010. The Jury (Veronika Valk (EE), Hindrek Kesler (EE), Juris Skalbergs (LV), Arvīds Līkops (LV), Rūta Leitananté (LT), Gintautas Blažiūnas (LT) and Tomomi Hayashi (JPN)) revealed the winner on the 14th of February 2011. It was Estonian architect Mark Grimtliht and his work “Globe”. It was later exhibited on the 26th of September 2011 in Tokyo.

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Turin 2008

Press release

The 23rd World Congress of the International Union of Architects on the theme "Transmitting Architecture: Culture, Democracy, Hope" was held from June 29th to July 3rd 2008 in Turin, Italy.

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Other events

Baltic Architects Unions Association organizes independent events and activities in collaboration with local and international partners. Below are some of the highlighted activities however you can always access the full list of new activities on our Facebook page and each representative's website for local-level activities and news.

Baltic Bubble 2023

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We invite you to join us at the traditional Summer Seminar of architects, interior architects and landscape architects, organized by the Estonian Association of Architects. This year we will meet in Tartu, on June 29-30. Let’s continue the new tradition created last year in Ventspils – Baltic Bubble – where architects of all three Baltic countries meet...

 

The venue is Lodjakoda – the barge chamber (by Salto architects). Emajõe city swimming pool beach (by Kino landscape architects) is located in the neighborhood.

This year’s topic is HOME / HABITATION. What makes a house a home? What makes you feel at home? What does the concept of home/habitation mean in the 21st century? What will be important in the future, when choosing a living space? 

Short lectures and presentations, leisure activities and a party have been planned for the first day, architecture tour in Tartu for the second day. A more detailed program of the event will be announced soon.

We kindly urge you not to miss the Early Bird Special and register via Google Forms before June 2nd. 
Tickets can be purchased from Fienta, the link is provided after submitting the form. You can also request an invoice from Fienta, if needed. 

Participation fees (including the whole programme, party, 3 meals, 1 night accommodation at hotel Dorpat, bus transport Tallinn – Tartu – Tallinn and Tartu city tour):

Member of the local association and up to 1 companion €85

Senior member €65

Student €45

Non-member €105

Participant with own accommodation €45

The final deadline for registration is June 15. 

Graphic design: Tuumik
Big thanks to our partners:

Main supporter: RUUKKI

Supporters: BaurocEquitoneVBH/Aluprof, VELUXFloorin/Forbo, LinconaHenkel, Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

Baltic Bubble 2022

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Celebrate Summer and International Architects' Day in Ventspils, Latvia. The Programme includes a City Architecture tour with Daiga Dzedone and an Excursion at Vizium Science and Innovation centre with Audrius Ambrasas, complemented by an Open-air evening Festival with DJ and music.

Early bird tickets - 20 EUR

Full price - 30 EUR starting 18th of Jun.

Registration: ej.uz/balticbubble

Preliminary event programme:

Saturday 2nd of July:

13:00 - Ventspils Architecture tour with Daiga Dzedone, chief architect of Ventspils city

18:30 - Vizium Centre excursion with Audrius Ambrasas

20:00 - Festival of the International Day of Architects. Music, conversations and open-air activities at Vizium centre

Sunday 3rd of July:

10:00 - Ventspils Architecture tour with Daiga Dzedone, chief architect of Ventspils city

Food and drinks are available for purchase on-site.

Contact person for questions:

LV - +371 26368790 Andra Marta Babre, andra.babre@gmail.com

EE - +372 5056723 Kairi Rand, kairi@arhliit.ee

LT - + 370 68719158 Marius Dirgela, marius.dirgela@architektusajunga.lt

This event is organized in collaboration with the Architects Association of Lithuania, the Latvian Union of Architects, and the Estonian Association of Architects in collaboration with industry partners and the Latvian young architects club - Atelpa.

Architecture of Migration

Official website

The “Architecture of Migration” was a conference organized in RISEBA Aisteres hall in Riga by the Latvian Association of Architects from 7th to 8th of November 2019. The conference touched on topics such as embracing global mobility, tourism, and sustainability for local prosperity, the architecture of the virtual world and its identity, privacy, and safety of a digital citizen, search for a minimal footprint in mobility.
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Geniator XL

Official webpage

Geniator XL was an international creative idea contest for young architects and designers as part of the BAUA Awards 2016 event. During 4hr events, interdisciplinary student teams created solutions to unique planning or design problems with real clients and a professional jury.

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Sustainability and Creativity in Development

Press releases and announcements

BAUA Awards 2023 Best Young Architect Diploma Project Prize Awarded to Katariina Mustasaar from Estonia

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A Note about withdrawal of BAUA’S membership from UIA

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BAUA Baltic pavilion at UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen, 2023

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Don't miss the Early Bird Special: Summer Seminar / Baltic Bubble in Tartu, June 29-30

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Invitation to Workshop "Sustainable City" for architecture students and young architects, June 15 to 17, 2023 in Pärnu

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March 6th, 2023

BAUA Announces Baltic pavilion design competition for UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen winners

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December 16th, 2022

BAUA Announces Baltic pavilion design competition for UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen

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October 24th, 2022

BAUA AWARDS 2022 Best Young Architect Diploma project prize awarded to Merilin Kaup from Estonia and Janis Apsitis from Latvia

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August 26th, 2022

Online book “Holistic renovation of modernism housing”

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May 16th, 2022

Holistic renovation

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May 3rd, 2022

Summer seminar 2022 in Riga

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April 21st, 2022

Tallinn Architecture Biennale "Edible; Or, The Architecture of Metabolism”

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April 14th, 2022

Holistic Renovation of Modernism Housing

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March 1st, 2022

BAUA's statement regarding Russian aggression towards Ukraine

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December 14th, 2021

Rotation of BAUA Presidency.

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December 3rd, 2021

Restarting architecture policy.

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Universities

Certified higher education institutions in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, responsible for architects education. Short description and link to the original websites available by selecting the logo. You can find full information in the linked direct websites below.

Contact us by calling our current head office administrator at +371 67212802 or by sending an e-mail at info@balticarchitecture.com

Knauf - By supporting the website of the Baltic Architects Unions association, Knauf honours freedom of creativity, professionalism and daring. Knauf's values have always been not only quality, efficiency and innovation, but also sustainable, environmentally and human-friendly construction, promoted by creative Baltic architects.

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VELUX supports the creation of website of the Baltic Architects unions association in order to contribute to the architectural culture in the Baltic states. We have accumulated many years of experience in supporting architects, so we appreciate the activities that bring architecture closer to society. VELUX sees BAUA events and activities as a great platform to highlight the importance of daylight, fresh air and a healthy indoor climate, as well as to raise public awareness of the quality of a good living environment.

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