Skonto Būve celebrates its 20th anniversary
The construction company LLC Skonto Būve has reached its second decade – having been established on 10 March 1995. This important event was marked by a mid-summer splendid celebration with company staff and the closest cooperation partners.
In his ceremonial address Guntis Rāvis, Chairman of the Board of Skonto Būve, thanked staff for a well-spent 20 years of the company’s activities, noting that the company aims to continue for the next 20 years even more successfully. As gratitude for loyalty towards Skonto Būve, a gift draw took place, and the main prize of a KIA car was won by Mārtiņš Gavars, assistant work manager, currently working on the reconstruction and restoration of Riga Palace.
During its 20 years, Skonto Būve has become one of the leading construction companies in Latvia. This is proven by the steadily increasing turnover of the company, as well as responsible work in the largest construction objects throughout Latvia by performing the construction of buildings, engineering constructions, bridges and hydro-technical constructions, as well as restoration and reconstruction, and design.
The largest projects implemented by the company include the Latvian National Library, the Castle of Light, terminal of Airport Riga, infrastructure development on Krievu Island, complex of administrative buildings of the Ministry of Interior, Dienvidu Bridge, tram lines in Liepāja, Bank of Latvia, Riga Thermal Power Station TEC-2, Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel Latvia, trade centres Galerija Centrs, Mols, Olimpia and Origo, as well as a range of projects throughout Latvia.
To promote art, the environment, sports and city development, the company regularly undertakes charity and sponsoring activities. The most significant of these include support for the Latvian National Ballet and Daugava gallery, renovation of the Riga Nativity of Christ Cathedral, the project Return of a Million Trout, as well as investment in the development of Riga Dinamo, VEF basketball club, and the Latvian Gymnastics Federation.
Finishing renovation and painting works in the Riga Castle are taking place
General partnership SBRE, which consists of Skonto Būve and RE&RE, continues the reconstruction and renovation of Riga Castle – the official residence of the President of Latvia. Progress of the interior construction works is obvious – part of the premises have already had their interior finish renovated and the first painting done.
Renovation works in the luxurious premises of the Riga Castle are taking place according to schedule, which foresees the premises at the President’s disposal by November 2015. Wall and ceiling plaster renovation and the decorative ceiling gypsum finish restoration and renovation works are finished and gilding works and assembly of the restored chandeliers and the artificial marble are underway in the White Hall of the castle. Cleaning and colour-fixing of the original decorative painting is finished in the Ambassador Accreditation Hall, and surfaces have been prepared for the first painting.
A huge amount of work is taking place in the Festival Hall as well – plaster renovation is finished, and at the same time both painting of surfaces and renovation of the decorative elements is taking place. Currently, the painting frame restoration and the plastering, painting and assembly of the wooden lining panels, decorative beams and acoustic ribs is underway. In The Hall of Coats of Arms painting works are still underway, as well as restoration of ceiling roses and coats of arms.
Painting works are being continued in the forepart of the castle, and in the premises of the President’s office interior construction works and installation of wooden elements is taking place – installation of window casements, interior windowsills, doors and parquet.
Also, ambitious work has begun in order to ensure that the mouldings on the gateway of the Riga Castle convent are preserved for the next generations. The late gothic mouldings of the Riga Castle, “Madonna with a Child” and “The Master Walter von Plettenberg”, which are artistic monuments of national significance and the oldest medieval sculptural monuments in Latvia, have been taken down and preserved for display, and will be replaced with copies of the mouldings.
The project for preservation and replication of the Riga Castle mouldings is included in the 1st part of the Riga Castle restoration, which will conclude in November 2015.
Video: Elīna Matvejeva
KADO KARIM is a world-class national project
The brightest event of 2015 on the premium property market of Latvia is the completion of the construction of the exclusive housing estate KADO KARIM in Jurmala. Project commissioning is scheduled for April. Reserving of the luxury class apartments has already started.
The housing estate KADO KARIM, built in the centre of Jurmala, is the first and sole Latvian project where the internationally renowned architect and designer Karim Rashid has contributed his talent and heart.
KADO KARIM is the epitome of modern engineering and designer thought, which includes a whole collection of the latest technological developments.
The Smart City concept –the next stage of the already accustomed system of residential premises of the premium class Smart House –has been applied in Eastern Europe for the first time. This system anticipates centralised and at the same time absolutely personalised management of heating, safety, power supply and air conditioning and cleaning systems. The project implements unique architectural and designer solutions.
The project architect is Andis Silis, a recognised figure in Latvian architecture. The construction company is Skonto Būve.
KADO KARIM is located in a prestigious district of Jurmala – Dzintari, two minutes’ walking distance from the seashore. The housing estate consists of three 3-storey functionally united residential houses built in a uniform architectural style. The project contains 14 apartments and 7 two-level penthouses with an area of 200 sq. m to 430 sq. m.
Closed and secured territory (video observation), underground parking, chip access system, lobby with concierge service 24/7, cigar room, room for recreation and meeting, custom design, landscaped yard.
The total area of the housing estate is 5 352 sq. m.
More comprehensive information can be foundon the website www.kado-karim.lv
Ballet Raymonda will be Premiered with the Support of Skonto Būve
A new staging of Alexander Glazunov’s Raymonda,produced by choreographer Aivars Leimanis, will be premiered by the Latvian National Ballet on 27 March. The new staging has been created with the support of the patron of ballet – Guntis Rāvis and Skonto Būve SIA.
Chairman of SIA Skonto Būve, Guntis Rāvis: “I take pride in recommending productions of the Latvian National Ballet both to my friends and foreign business partners. Skonto Būvehas been a reliable patron of the Latvian National Ballet for many years already. Reasons for successful cooperation may be found in the similar attitude towards work and quality of the results that we share, as well as the desire to stand out from the everyday plainness, constantly raising the bar of greatness."
Choreographer of the new staging, Aivars Leimanis: “The new production of Raymonda is an old dream coming true - finally our repertoire includes all of the most famous and frequently staged major classical ballets. Even more – the dancers, costumes, and scenography in our productions are at such a high visual and technical level that we can easily perform on all of the greatest stages in the world with pride.”
Photographer: Monta Tīģere, Andris Tone
More information www.opera.lv
Rafter Raising Ceremony at the New Terminal of Riga International Airport
Skonto Būve held a rafter raising ceremony at Riga International Airport, which is currently undergoing the construction of a new terminal. Along with the completion of the frame construction, the new building has now reached its highest point.
Besides the frame construction, the monolithic reinforced concrete covering has been completed as well. The façade has been finished for half of the building, and the arrangement of utilities is under the way.
The 1st phase in the airport's terminal development will provide the expansion of the non-Schengen area and four additional boarding sectors, which will improve the quality of the services provided by the airport. After its completion, the new terminal building will be able to service larger aircraft, thus increasing the capacity of the airport.
Photographer: Karīna Kaufelde
Video: Elīna Matvejeva