The highest roof construction point has been reached In the energy efficiency improvement project implemented by SJSC “State Real Estate” (SRE), in the Latvian Puppet Theatre at K. Barona iela 16/18, Riga, where a celebratory crown was placed within the framework of the topping out ceremony on 16 September 2022. At present, construction of the roof is actively continuing. Under favourable construction conditions, the theatre will be completely under the roof until the beginning of the heating season, informs Jeļena Gavrilova, Member of the Board of SRE.
The construction of the puppet theatre is progressing rapidly – currently the new roof structures and a new external wall have been completely built, and the strengthening of the existing building structures is being completed. Building insulation works, window and door installation have already started. By the beginning of the heating season, the new roof covering will be completely built and the interior finishing works will be started, so that the theatre can return to the renovated premises in the autumn of 2023.
“ Each cultural infrastructure site – well-maintained and renovated in accordance with modern requirements – is an investment both in the urban environment and especially for its target audience, the visitors of cultural events. The Puppet Theatre is shaping our future audience, which is why the restoration of this facility is so important. I hope that the construction works in all infrastructure objects in the field of culture, which are under the supervision of the State Real Estate, will proceed according to the previously set schedules that are vitally important for the continuity of the activities of these cultural institutions,” says the Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis.
By the heating season, it is planned to completely build the new roof covering, install the windows, and within the next couple of months, the interior works can be started. Taking into account the building's historical layers and their mutual interoperability, the strengthening of the building structures also posed a significant challenge, as the foundations of the building were built on an unstable foundation.
“Latvian children have long deserved tasteful, warm and modern rooms in which to have their first theatre experience. We are very much looking forward to the moment when we open the doors of the building in Barona iela to the audience again; the actors and other employees also want to work in comfortable and safe premises. We are already planning a broad range of new productions with which to return to the renovated building, so that the little ones, schoolchildren, teenagers and adults have a reason to appreciate the work of the builders,” says Vilnis Beķeris, Member of the Board of the Latvian Puppet Theatre.
In the future course of work, the aesthetic and technical condition of the historic Puppet Theatre building will be improved, including the necessary roof renovation works and the building's thermal energy consumption will be reduced by approximately 50%. The saved funds can be used for the implementation of other theatre development goals. For the spectators of the audience and employees, the ceiling of the small hall will be raised, which will provide an opportunity to diversify the range of performances available to spectators and also to stage puppet plays.
The energy efficiency project of the Latvian Puppet Theatre was developed by SIA “Livland Group”, the construction works are carried out by the general partnership “P and P construction group”, and the contract price is 2.75 million euros without VAT. The renovation project of the Latvian Puppet Theatre is financed from the funding attracted in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture from the second round of project applications, selection of the European Union funds Operational Programme ‘Growth and Employment’ 4.2.1 of the specific support objective ‘To promote the increase of energy efficiency in public and residential buildings’ and 4.2.1.2 of the specific support objective ‘To promote the increase of energy efficiency in public buildings’ and state budget funds (including Covid-19 funding for stimulating the economy through investments in construction).
Alongside the energy efficiency promotion activities of the Latvian Puppet Theatre, the capital company implements energy efficiency and reconstruction works of three more theatres important to Latvian theatre culture. At the moment, solutions are being actively sought to cover the increase in the cost of reconstruction works of Valmiera Drama Theatre. In the New Riga Theatre, the construction works of the new roof structures are nearing completion and the facade part of the building will be revealed in the near future. The Daile Theatre energy efficiency project is nearing completion and the theatre forecourt revitalisation works are also progressing successfully.
