Salaspils Cultural Centre “Enerģētiķis”

Built in 1980, the Salaspils Cultural Centre “Enerģētiķis” is one of Latvia’s examples of late modernist cultural architecture and is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction. The aim of the project is to preserve the building’s distinctive architectural identity while creating a modern, energy-efficient cultural centre that is open and connected to the surrounding urban environment.

The architectural concept of the reconstruction is based on a contrast between the existing and the new. The monolithic and enclosed volume of the Main Hall is preserved, while the new entrance lobby and Small Hall are designed to be transparent and visually open towards the exterior. The extensive glazing creates a stronger connection between the building and the surrounding urban environment, while at the same time requiring carefully considered control of solar radiation and daylight.

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LuxControl’s task in this project was to design and implement external solar shading solutions integrated into the building’s architecture for various types of glazed structures.

WAREMA external aluminium venetian blinds were installed on the façade windows. Particular attention was paid to integrating the systems into the façade – the blind headboxes were concealed beneath the façade cladding to minimise the visual impact of technical elements on the building’s architectural appearance.

The external venetian blinds make it possible to regulate the amount of direct solar radiation and daylight entering the interior. By adjusting the angle of the slats, unwanted solar heat gains and glare can be reduced while maintaining the benefits of natural daylight and a visual connection with the outdoors.

A different technical solution was required for the skylight in the conference room and for the ballet studios. WAREMA blackout and conservatory awnings were installed to control daylight within the spaces and create suitable conditions for presentations, events and other activities where the amount of daylight entering through the skylight needs to be reduced or completely blocked out.

This project clearly demonstrates that, in a modern public building, solar shading is not simply an individual façade element. To achieve a high-quality result, the solutions must be planned and technically coordinated with the glazing, façade structures and architectural concept from the early stages of project development.

The WAREMA external façade blinds are controlled by the WAREMA Omnexo central control system, which is connected to a weather station. The blinds operate automatically based on data from the sun sensor and, in strong winds, are retracted into their headboxes to protect the mechanisms from damage. In each room, the slat angle can also be adjusted individually using a wall switch.