The Latvian Association of Architects on Monday awarded the Estonian Embassy building in Riga -featuring a façade made of Kaarma dolomite– prize in the category of heritage transformation.

«I am very pleased, because thanks to the latest production technology and our excellent team, we achieved an aesthetically clean and technically precise result», said Vladimir Libman, Chairman of the Board of Limestone Factories of Estonia, the company that produced the façade.

Latvia represents the most important export market for Limestone Factories of Estonia after Sweden. «Success in Riga means a great deal to us, because more than three years ago we completely withdrew from the Russian market, which had previously dominated decorative stone sales, and shifted our focus to neighbouring EU countries», said Libman.

The embassy building, constructed on Saaremaa under the Reval Stone brand with dolomite cornices, was selected among 48 nominees in the heritage transformation category and was named the best in its category among 15 finalists.

The Latvian Association of Architects highlighted the façade of the Estonian embassy as its main architectural feature – composed of monolithic blocks of Kaarma dolomite from Saaremaa with sculpted cornices. The three-dimensional cornices and lattices, carved at various angles, create an illusion of flowing waves as one walk past the building. The competition recognised Kaarma dolomite as a symbol of Estonia, underscoring the purpose of the building.

Located on the edge of Riga’s Old Town, the former Soviet-era office building had, just six years ago, been considered visually disruptive to its urban surroundings. «After what was essentially a new construction project, the Estonian embassy has become an outstanding and beautifully fitting addition to Riga’s Old Town», noted Deputy Head of the Estonian Embassy in Riga Siim Krispin.

Commissioned by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy building was designed by a team of architects including Evgeni Leonov, Aleksandrs Borodkins, Baiba Verpe, and Ivo Dzenis. The main contractor was Aidaco Construction, which also built the Latvian National Library.

The embassy – housing the consulate, exhibition space, the ambassador’s residence, and an official apartment – is located in Riga’s Old Town at Pils iela 8/10, on the site of a former Soviet-era computing centre.

The grand prize of the Latvian Association of Architects’ 2025 competition went to a wooden kindergarten in Salaspils, designed by MADE Architects, featuring an environmentally friendly and safe design using materials approved for children’s health.

Source: Article: Postimees – https://saartehaal.postimees.ee/8337873/kaarma-dolomiit-voitis-latis-maineka-arhitektuuripreemia