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LVM Zemgale Region Customer Centre Building Ranks Second in the Nomination "Most Sustainable Public Building" in the Baltics

Promoting the development of sustainable construction and architecture, the “Building Design and Construction Council” association, in cooperation with the State Construction Control Office, held the competition “Sustainability in Architecture, Construction, Design”. It was already the ninth time that this competition took place. For the second year, projects and facilities are evaluated on the Baltic scale. The customer centre building of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” Zemgale region in Jelgava ranked second in the nomination “Most Sustainable Public Building” in the Baltics this year.

The hotel building in Tallinn made of used sea containers was recognized as an even more sustainable building in this competition and won first place.

“JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” as an implementer of sustainable forest management, is pleased to receive recognition for the fact that our construction facilities have been valuated as examples of sustainable construction on the Baltic scale. Last year, our Zemgale Region Customer Centre was recognized as the most sustainable project in Latvia and the best example of wooden construction. It is a great honour for us, because the design and construction of the building uses an environmentally friendly, renewable natural resource – wood and other innovative solutions,” says LVM Board Member Valdis Kalns.

Uģis Perševics, Construction Manager at LVM Real Estate Administration, emphasizes that the sustainability solutions used in the building should be included in the construction of every modern building: “At this facility, wood is incorporated into the load-bearing structures and decoration, wood fibre wool is used for insulation, LED type lights are installed, a heat pump is used for cooling and heating the building, and a pellet boiler for heating. In the current time that is promoting energy independence, solar panels have been installed on the roof of the building for electricity production, and an electric vehicle charging station has been set up near the building.”

Last year, the LVM Zemgale Region Customer Centre in Jelgava received the “Latvian Construction Award” in the nomination “Wooden Construction 2021”, while the LVM North Kurzeme Customer Centre in Dundaga received the “Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2016” award. The buildings are distinguished by the use of environmentally friendly and innovative solutions.

The award ceremony of the “Sustainability in Architecture, Construction, Design” competition took place on 5 September 2023. The competition was held for the 9th year, the last two years covering the most valuable buildings and facilities not only in Latvia, but also in the Baltic countries.