Lazdynai, Vilnius

Another step forward by Lithuanian architects was called “overcoming the standard Soviet five-storey residential block”, which, for good reason become known as “the brick”, as it was one of the most monotonous edifices. Innovations were very moderately applied in Lazdynai and, of course, were met with tremendous enthusiasm and considered as a great event in the Soviet residential design. I am talking about the terrace-like five- and nine-storey buildings, those of broken configuration and the twelve-storey tower blocks. The biggest obstacle while implementing those new house designs was the approval of the designs by the producer at the Industrial Enterprise of Housing Construction. Directors of such enterprises were stagnant, and according to many architects of the time, only with the help of informal relationships was it possible to persuade them to launch innovation in the production line.
Planning and, of course, construction of the buildings were always implemented with some delays. For Lazdynai there was one special solution that was planned but never realized. It was the main commercial and leisure center, which was innovatively designed above the highway (compared to the similar district center built over the subway line in Vällingby). According to the architect Česlovas Mazūras, the reason for the failure was the usual one—lack of funds. Although approved with delays and huge criticism due to its innovative solutions, Lazdynai was not only implemented, but also eventually awarded the Lenin prize in 1974. It was the first award of such high rank granted to an residential area design in the Soviet Union. Lazdynai not only became the epitome of Soviet urban planning, but also an example for the entire socialist bloc.

Text: Marija Drėmaitė and Vaidas Petrulis