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Architect: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT GmbH
Collaborators: Niklavs Paegle, Gonzalo Vaillo Martinez, Bojana Vucinic, Jurgis Gecys
Structural Engineering: Werkraum Wien
Sustainability: Transsolar
Rendering: Klemens Sitzmann
Photographs:Wolfgang Tschapeller

Opting for a Science Centre, detached from the ground and positioned above Nemunas Island Channel. The Science Center will hover between the island and the city, creating an unexpected outdoor space to be experienced from the island's waterside as well as from the city's embankment.

Bridging the gap between city and island, the Science Centre has available two opposed qualities; on the one hand, the infrastructural capacity of Karaliaus Mindaugo Prospect, on the other hand, the vast green of Nemunas Island.

Karaliaus Mindaugo Prospect offers firstly, a potent back of house access for all deliveries, secondly, a direct approach by bus, taxi, car including access for the disabled, and thirdly, parking for employees and visitors. Consequently, Nemunas Island is liberated from infrastructural requirements + ready for becoming a true green island. Given a size GIA of 9000 sqm, the building's footprint is absolutely minimal on Nemunas Island. It consists of 2 columns, an elevator, an escalator, and a stair, altogether less than 50 sqm.

As a consequence, the entire site is accessible. Buildings do not block movement. A multitude of different vegetations, exotic and local plants, waterlines and jogging paths will occupy the island, matching perfectly with the Science Center's outdoor activities.

The building's entry point will be sheltered by the floating building. It will dock onto a network of converging pathways bringing visitors from the city and the island. The building will be gate and portico to city and island alike.

There are two major references. The first is the history of visionary flying and floating buildings, started by Georgy Krutikov, Lina Bo Bardi, Constant, or Cedric Price. The second refers to "Piliakalnis," the castle mounts, a historical and local means of forming the terrain on which to position important buildings such as castles. The project plays with the image of "Piliakalnis," however, no castle is constructed on top; the empty mount is rather a base to look at the panorama of Kaunas.

Exterior surfaces are opaque or of filter like character. A special role is given to the underside of the center; it will have mirroring qualities. Together with the water plane, it constitutes a double mirror, one natural the other constructed.