SJSC "State Real Estate” (SRE), in collaboration with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) and the Ministry of Culture, has engaged experienced acoustics expert Jan–Inge Gustafson for the Great Guild Hall reconstruction and renovation project. As part of the collaboration, new acoustic solutions have been created for the Great Hall, opening up unprecedented opportunities for concertgoers.
"The Great Guild reconstruction and renovation project will contribute not only to the preservation of cultural and historical values, but will also ensure the availability of a high-quality cultural space for musicians from Latvia and other countries. Taking into account the importance of the Great Guild, acoustic solutions are as important as energy efficiency and environmental accessibility, therefore special attention is paid to these solutions," notes Renārs Griškevičs, Chairman of the Board of SRE.
The selected solutions were developed in close collaboration with acoustics expert Jan–Inge Gustafson, who provided guidelines on the required panel shape. After the implementation of the new solutions, the Great Hall will become a multifunctional concert hall, where it will be possible to enjoy both symphonic music concerts and chamber orchestra and chamber music performances. The hall is equipped with mobile stage side panels, as well as movable ceiling acoustic panels with adjustable height and inclination - these technical solutions will allow you to adjust the acoustics according to the needs of different genres and ensembles.
“The main goal of the acoustic measures was to create better acoustic conditions for the musicians by improving the sound response of the hall, including achieving a longer reverberation time. This was achieved by better use of the hall's volume, as well as with vertical reflectors placed in the ceiling that reflect the sound back to the musicians,” says Jan-Inge Gustafson, Senior Acoustician at Norconsult.
The new acoustic solutions also include exposing the end wall of the Great Hall. In 1963, the building was destroyed by fire, after which a large-scale reconstruction of the Great Guild Hall took place under the leadership of Modris Ģelžs, during which the end wall was covered, but will now be restored and included in the acoustic solutions. If necessary, it can be either covered or left visible to event visitors, to ensure suitable acoustic solutions for both the sound of symphony orchestras and the enjoyment of chamber music.
“We are truly pleased that, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Great Guild Hall renovation implementers SRE, architects and the experienced Swedish acoustician Jan-Inge Gustafson, we have managed to find the best possible acoustic solution for the Great Guild Hall. It is expected that this hall will be a venue for acoustic concerts for many years to come, therefore it is important that the implemented acoustic solution will allow us to adapt the conditions to musical groups of various formats,” says Indra Lūkina, director of the LNSO.
Currently, various construction works are actively underway in the building - the restoration of windows and doors continues both in the building and in the workshops, which includes the restoration of stained-glass windows and metal elements. Active work is also underway on the dismantling of the metal structures of the ceiling of the Great Hall and the installation of metal beams for the stage, to soon begin work on the construction of acoustic solutions. At the same time, the roof is being rebuilt, and the construction of internal engineering networks is also continuing. Energy efficiency works are planned to be completed by the summer of 2026.
"When carrying out the reconstruction of the Great Guild, the main goal of the changes to the stage part was to achieve maximum functionality of the space and ensure an excellent acoustic experience. Contrary to the initial options, this solution allows for the preservation and emphasis of the historical identity of the space, achieving interaction between the new and the existing. For example, the shape of the side panels is designed to create a visual, yet modern connection with the Gothic pointed arch windows - they are not hidden, but rather highlighted as an essential and characteristic part of the hall's architecture," says Kārlis Frīdenbergs, chairman of the board and architect of "Arhitekta G. Vīksnas birojs" (Ltd.).
The project will preserve and develop the architectural monument of national importance – the Great Guild. The history of the building is as glorious as that of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra that resides in it. During the reconstruction and restoration, it is planned to rebuild the stage of the Great Hall, audience seats and ceiling structures, and implement activities to promote environmental accessibility. The project will restore historical wooden windows and doors, as well as perform roof insulation, improving the energy efficiency of the building. In addition, the project will rebuild internal engineering networks, including water, heating, ventilation, electricity and low-voltage networks. Transformations are also expected in the basement area of the building, rebuilding visitor amenities and the cloakroom area. Also, certain rooms will be rebuilt according to the needs of the administration and musicians.
In total, it is planned to invest around 16.3 million euros (including VAT) in the implementation of the Great Guild development project. The Ministry of Culture has attracted funding from the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027, specific support objective 5.1.1. "Promoting integrated social, economic and environmental development of local territories and cultural heritage, tourism and safety in urban functional areas" under measure 5.1.1.5. "Renovation of a unique European cultural heritage to promote accessibility by developing cultural services" in the amount of 10.08 million euros. Of which, ERDF funding is 8.5 million euros, state budget funding is 1.5 million euros. In turn, the Ministry of Economics has attracted funding from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Fascility Plan 1.2. Reform and investment direction "Improvement of energy efficiency" 1.2.1.4.i. investment "Improving energy efficiency in public sector buildings, incl. historical buildings" funding for increasing the energy efficiency of the Great Guild in the amount of 6.32 million euros, of which the Recovery and Resilience Fascility funding is 5.3 million euros and the state budget funding for covering value added tax is 1.01 million euros. The project is planned to be fully implemented by the end of 2026.
About SRE
Currently, 110 projects with a total investment of 410 million euros are being implemented under the management of SJSC "State Real Estate” (SRE) provides professional real estate management and administration for 411 buildings and structures, which include buildings with an area of 979 thousand m2, as well as land under buildings with an area of 6.27 million m2, and 3,203 land properties with a total area of 8.94 million m2. In 2024, SRE received the “Sustainability Index” platinum award of the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Institute for the fourth time, confirming the consistently high sustainability of management and the company's operations. The company was founded in 1996, its 100% shareholder is the Ministry of Finance.
Additional information for the media:
SJSC "State Real Estate"
Corporate Communications and Sustainability Department
Tel.: +371 20235301
E-mail: komunikacija@vni.lv
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
