Location
Klaipeda district
Year
2024
Architects
Edgaras Neniškis
Rolandas Liola
Arūnas Liola
Artūras Mažeika
Toma Bačiulytė
Karolina Masalskaitė
Rūsna Vaineikytė
VMG Technics R&D park
VMG Technics building, located next to Klaipėda Airport and the country’s main highway, functions not only as a high-tech manufacturing facility but also as a publicly accessible exhibition and educational space—serving as a symbolic gateway to the innovation park.
The architectural concept of the complex emerged from three key contexts: the aviation environment, the representative importance of the site, and the theme of future technologies. These layers are united by a literary metaphor—“the VMG spacecraft has landed.” The elliptical, silver-colored building resembles a futuristic object, visible from all sides and equally representative from both the city and the highway. This form allows the building to function as a landmark, an attraction, and a visual sign that invites even passing travelers to stop and engage.
On the exterior, on the southern and most visible side, part of the building volume is shaped as a semi-open exhibition space. The wooden structural colonnade not only emphasizes the architectural form but also creates a clearly recognizable entrance and gathering zone. During nighttime, the colonnade becomes a surface for light and projections—a kind of outdoor screen that transforms the character of the surroundings and reinforces the building’s identity as a public landmark.
An important part of the project is its public, visitor-oriented spaces. Inside the building, a three-story atrium serves as the main exhibition axis. Here, visitors are introduced to engineering innovations, manufacturing processes, materials, and visions of future technologies. The exhibitions become an integral part of everyday work, learning, and social activities.
Suspended bridges and centrally positioned levitating staircases within the atrium function as spatial exhibits—dynamic architectural elements that allow visitors to experience the space from multiple perspectives. On the third floor, glazed gallery walkways provide the opportunity to observe real factory processes and engineering activity, enriching the experience with a live, constantly evolving view of production. During events, this area transforms into an open forum suitable for presentations, exhibitions, educational programs, and community gatherings. Adjacent restaurant and relaxation areas encourage informal interaction and longer visitor stays within the building.
The interior continues the futuristic, industrial aesthetic: anodized aluminum ceilings, stainless steel details, and an acoustic wall made of metal tubes that simultaneously functions as an art object, a sound absorption solution, and a light installation. At night, this light becomes visible from the highway, further strengthening the building’s image as a contemporary beacon of innovation.
Great attention has been paid to the human experience—for both employees and visitors alike. Natural light, good acoustics, a balanced microclimate, and sustainable materials create a comfortable environment for long-term use. Natural clay wall finishes help regulate humidity, while the building’s engineering solutions allow it to be operated efficiently and sustainably.
VMG Technics is more than just a factory. It is an open, educational, and representative technology center where architecture, exposition, and daily activities merge into a seamless experience. The building functions as a living museum—constantly changing and growing alongside the technologies and the people for whom it was designed.
