Kaunas City Museum

15, Rotušės aikštė, Kaunas, Lithuania

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Kaunas City Museum

15, Rotušės aikštė, Kaunas, Lithuania

Firm

Processoffice

Type

Cultural › Museum

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

Kaunas Town Hall Renovation & Exhibition Design

The renovation of Kaunas Town Hall transforms one of the city's most historically significant buildings into a modern museum space, seamlessly integrating contemporary exhibition design with architectural heritage. Dating back to 1542, the building has undergone multiple renovations, with the latest major reconstruction occurring in 1973. In this project, we not only designed the architectural adaptation of the building but also developed the exhibition itself, ensuring that both elements work in harmony to create an engaging and accessible environment for visitors.

Inspiration & Key Concepts

The project was guided by the concept of layering history with modernity, treating Kaunas as a case study of a city while integrating new spatial interventions. Inspired by the "box-in-box" principle, the new additions are designed to be clearly distinguishable from the historical layers, respecting the existing fabric while introducing contemporary elements.

Openness was a key principle in the design—both in terms of spatial organization and the museum’s relationship with its visitors. The exhibition spaces were designed to feel inviting and intuitive, ensuring clear navigation through the building's complex historical layout. The use of interactive design, multisensory experiences, and universal accessibility further reinforces this openness, making the museum an inclusive and engaging space for all audiences.

Challenges & Setbacks

One of the biggest challenges was adapting the historic structure to modern museum standards without compromising its architectural integrity. The basement masonry vaults, originally hidden under layers of dirt and salt, required extensive conservation. The attic space, previously unused, posed another challenge due to its complex wooden structures and the need for climate control.

Additionally, navigating the rigid spatial organization of the historic interiors while ensuring a logical and seamless visitor flow demanded creative reconfigurations, such as removing non-essential partition walls and introducing new vertical connections like an elegantly sculptural copper staircase.

Construction Techniques & Materials

The renovation balances preservation and contemporary intervention. The new attic pavilion, a floating glass-and-steel structure, is suspended within the 18th-century wooden framework, allowing visitors to experience the historic construction while engaging with modern exhibitions. The pavilion’s frameless glass walls are hung from the ceiling’s kesonic (grid-like) structure, reinforcing a sense of lightness. The stainless steel beams of the floor are suspended between existing chimneys and a newly introduced metal truss structure, ensuring minimal impact on the heritage elements.

The new stairway, a sculptural feature that connects the attic with the lower floors, is built from reinforced concrete and a metal frame, clad in copper, which references the building’s historic chandeliers while marking the contemporary layer through its natural aging process. Handmade clay tiles, restored wooden ceilings, doors, and wall panels, and carefully preserved masonry vaults highlight the commitment to maintaining historical authenticity.

Spatial Configuration & Functionality

The adaptation of the Kaunas Town Hall was carefully designed to balance historical preservation with modern functionality, ensuring that the building serves as both a museum and an accessible public space. The reconfiguration of spaces was guided by the principles of openness, visitor flow, and flexibility, making the historic structure more intuitive and functional while respecting its layered history.

Key architectural interventions include:
• Reorganization of the first floor and basement, introducing a café, educational facilities, and an expanded exhibition area, making the building more welcoming and accessible.
• Adaptive reuse of the previously unused attic, where a floating glass-and-steel pavilion was introduced to create additional exhibition space while preserving the 18th-century wooden roof structures.
• New vertical connections, including an elegantly sculptural copper staircase and an elevator, improving access across all floors.
• Restoration of historical elements, including masonry vaults, wooden doors, ceilings, and wall panels, ensuring that the building’s authentic character remains a core part of the experience.

Functionally, the building is structured to accommodate diverse uses, from exhibitions and educational activities to cultural events and ceremonies in the White Hall. Climate-controlled spaces allow for high-standard museum exhibitions, while universal design principles ensure accessibility for all visitors.

By integrating modern infrastructure and circulation improvements, the project transforms Kaunas Town Hall into a multifunctional cultural landmark, where history and contemporary design coexist seamlessly.

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Kaunas City Museum

15, Rotušės aikštė, Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas City Museum

15, Rotušės aikštė, Kaunas, Lithuania

Product Spec Sheet

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