The Curonian Spit in Lithuania contains six main villages: Smiltynė, Alksnynė, Juodkrantė, Pervalka, Preila and Nida, all connected by a single narrow road surrounded by water on both sides. As such, buses are the only public transportation that can connect all six villages. As part of an annual seminar to elevate the architecture of the Curonian Spit, a series of 5 bus stops, within the Neringa region of the spit, have been planned for construction. Specifically chosen to improve the cultural and social function of a typical piece of infrastructure, each bus stop uniquely elevates the qualities of the village it will be built for. See the five planned stops after the break.
Signs for the Curonian Spit by AKETURI ARCHITEKTAI
Geolocation: 55.4194072, 21.0653006
Architects: Milda Rekevičienė, Alda Tilvikaitė, Karolina Štreimikytė, Ieva Marcinonytė, Monika Augaitytė, Rūta Stankevičiūtė, Lukas Rekevičius
Though only meant to meet the most basic needs of the Spit, this bus stop is a sensitive response to the natural environment present in Neringa. Similar to a fisherman’s home or a windswept lodge, the humble stop is a quiet place of reflection to complement, reveal or resolve the place in which it is located.
Bus Stop for Juodkrant by AUDRIUS AMBRASAS ARCHITECTS
Geolocation: 55.542193, 21.121885
Architects: Audrius Ambrasas, Rasa Ambrasienė, Jonas Motiejūnas
Located between L. Reza Street and the Gulf Coast, different elements of the bus stop invite users to engage with the environment in different ways. An eastern terrace raises users, allowing them to face the water nearby. Selected as the best work at the final event of the Curonian Spit Bus Stops seminar, Bus Stop for Juodkrant will be the first of the stops to be built, with work beginning in the first quarter of 2016.
Observation Tower for the Curonian Spit by AUDRIUS AMBRASAS ARCHITECTS
The Observation Tower gives users an unusual, stepped-back view at the treetop level of the Spit. Using an enclosed space, the observation area frames visible portions of the landscape to create a memorable place.
She (Bus Stop for Bears Head Dune) by DO ARCHITECTS
Geolocation: 55.642235, 21.124005
Architects: Gilma Teodora Gylytė, Andrė Baldišiūtė, Arvydas Gudelis, Karolina Čiplytė
Located on Bear Head Dune, the hill of Neringa, the stop guides new arrivals into Neringa, providing a wide wooden terrace for rest and interaction with the forest, an enclosure, and information boards. Selected as the most conceptual work at the seminar, the Stop will be built in the summer of 2016 at the European Architecture Students’ Assembly (EASA).
Bus Stop for Dead Dune by SIMONA KAZAKAUSKAITĖ AND AISTĖ ALEKSANDROVIENĖ
Geolocation: 55.486354, 21.091593
Architects: Aistė Aleksandrovienė, Simona Kazakauskaitė
Located at Dead Dune in the Nagliai reserve, this stop resides in one of the most beautiful areas of Lithuania and most visited sites of the Curonian Spit. The stop has a triangular plan, divided into an information booth, terrace and sanitary block. The contemporary construction is inspired by the silhouette of the Dead Dune landscape.
Bus Stop for Vecekrugas Dune by VAIVA ANDRIUŠYTĖ AND ERNESTA BAGUŽAITĖ
Geolocation: 55.356076, 21.019067
Architects: Vaiva Andriušytė, Ernesta Bagužaitė
Located at the Vecekrugas Dune, with a bi-directional panorama, the stop elevates its duality with an intersection of wooden walkways, creating two-sided perspectives. Like the Vecekrugas Dune, terraces are lifted from the ground and suspended by growing trees. The wooden ornamentation reflects the nearby Nida and Preila villages.
