The goal of the Latvian Sustainable Construction Council (LSCC),established on 26 November, is to develop the criteria for the future construction model in Latvia as soon as possible and to provide professional and objective assessment of the urban environment and the newly constructed buildings.

The main task of LSCC activity is to establish a scientifically and methodologically based “criteria bank” – criteria that characterize various aspects of sustainable construction, according to which the buildings could be designed, constructed and assessed.  The basis of the criteria development is the widely used, approved and prestigious British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) recognized globally and in Europe.

Decorating the top of the Christmas tree with one of the brightest symbols of Riga city – the Rooster “Skonto Būve” Ltd lit up the Christmas tree of Riga’s Rooster in the alley at Brīvības iela alongside the Cabinet of Ministers. By doing this “Skonto Būve” Ltd., which is presenting the city with its Christmas tree for the third year running, has decided to establish a new tradition for the holiday setting in Riga. The Christmas tree of Riga’s Rooster will delight the residents of Riga and all visitors to the city until mid-January.

“Skonto Būve” Ltd has received a statement issued by the Organisation of People with Disabilities and their Friends, Apeirons, for the qualitative provision of environment accessibility to people with special needs within the municipality residential building complex at Ulbrokas iela 13, in Pļavnieki, which is being implemented by “Skonto Būve” Ltd.

The statement was received according to the environment accessibility audit which was carried out during the first construction stage of the residential buildings at Ulbrokas iela after the evaluation of the tasks which were executed for the provision of environment accessibility in the first three newly constructed buildings. A special entrance junction with a ramp has been created for entry into the buildings for people with disabilities, but the apartments on the high accessibility level are located on the ground floors of the buildings. Special attention to the interior of these apartments has been devoted to the height of additional door and window handles, to the height of the sinks, to the facilitation of shower spaces, and to the convenience of crossing over doorsteps.

Chairman of Riga City Council Nils Ušakovs, Vice-Major of the Council Andris Ameriks and Chairman of the Committee of Housing and Environment Vjačeslavs Stepaņenko visited the complex of residential buildings at Ulbrokas iela 13, in Pļavnieki, which is currently under construction to evaluate the process of the construction works. The construction works at the object are being executed by  "Skonto Būve" Ltd.

At Ulbrokas iela 13 five municipality multi-storey residential buildings are being constructed, in which the total of 800 apartments will be located. The first three residential buildings with 480 apartments are planned to be completed by the end of this year, but the other two buildings with 312 apartments will be commissioned for exploitation by 30 July next year. Construction of a car park has begun at the object, which will provide parking spaces for 685 cars.

According to the TOP 500 of Dienas Bizness, "Skonto Būve" Ltd. is the leading construction sector company in Latvia.
Furthermore, "Skonto Būve" Ltd. has maintained its leader position among the top construction companies, increasing its turnover by 29.41% within a year. In 2009 the company turnover was 78.26 million lats, but the profit has reached 4.32 million lats.
“During 15 years we have managed to strengthen our positions in the Latvian market. "Skonto Būve" Ltd. plays a significant role in the development of the state and municipality infrastructures,” comments Guntis Rāvis, Chairman of "Skonto Būve" Ltd. Board. He says that currently the main company market is located in Latvia, but last year and also this year serious work has been devoted to being able to execute tasks abroad: “We are researching the market and looking for options while being aware of the fact that it is a great challenge, a great risk and a huge responsibility to work aboard as the general contractor!”