Vytautas Brėdikis, collection code VAM-7
The famous Lithuanian architect and educator was born in Biržai on 20 November 1930. Here he learnt at Biržų Antano Smetonos gymnasium from 1937 to 1949. In 1949-1955 he studied at the Architecture Faculty of Art Institute of Lithuanian SSR and acquired the specialty of the artist – architect. [1]
In 1955-1965 he worked as an architect at Urban Construction Design Institute, in 1960-1964 he was the leader of the group, in 1964-1965 he was a chief architect of projects. In 1958 he became a member of the Lithuanian Union of Architects.
Since 1965 he was a lecturer at SSR Art Institute (now Vilnius Academy of Arts), in 1971 – the docent, in 1984 – professor, in 1988-1993 – rector (first elected but not appointed rector in the Academy’s history). Expert of Lithuanian Science Council. [2] [3]
Even in the early years of career at the Urban Construction and Design Institute in Vilnius he had his provisions of professional architect crystallized: one of them – to deal with larger and small-scale issues in the design of urban objects equally, not to leave out of consideration of individual elements that make up the whole, and to thoroughly create both the volumetric composition and colouring or interior details of the building during its design: “Nonsense when other architect comes to make the interior of the building after it has been created by another; after all it is the entirety that needs to be done from the beginning to the end”. So the author even set own workplace at Vilnius bus station during its construction so that he could immediately solve the problem arisen.
Of course, at first the architect wanted to fathom the environment where his work will stand. Thus he spent a lot of time in the neighbourhood Lazdynu catchment, carefully analyzed the environment for the monument to J. Janonis, offering even to change the master plan of Biržų centre, etc. Modernism spirit pulsates in his architecture, it is worth paying attention not only to the play of volumes and light – shadow, but also to the design elements that were created by V. Brėdikis with no mean attention. His works are certainly worthy of being included in the list of the register of cultural valuables of the Republic of Lithuania.
Projects:
In 1952, 1962, 1963, Lithuanian exposition at the People’s achievement exhibition, Moscow (co-author)
In 1957–1958, Projects of typical residential houses
In 1959, Projects of rural schools
In 1960, Detailed plan of the central part of Vilnius (co-author)
In 1961-1962, Detailed planning and construction project for Burbiškės, Vilnius (co-author)
In 1962-1963, Lazdynų detailed plan, Vilnius (co-author)
In 1965-1966, Corrections of Lazdynų detailed plan for proofing, Vilnius (co-author)
In 1962-1965, Detailed planning and construction project of the area near Vilnius railway station (co-author)
In 1963-1970, Multi-storey administrative building (dispatcher office) near Vilnius Bus Station
In 1956-1957, Antakalnio residential block, Vilnius (with architect V. E. Čekanauskas)
In 1967-1973, Lazdynų residential neighbourhood, Vilnius (with architect V. E. Čekanauskas et al.)
In 1962-1970, Vilnius bus station
In 1965, Detailed planning and construction project of the territory on the right bank of the Neris
In 1971-1792, 1976, Planning and arrangement project of Birzai square with the monument to J. Janonis (with sculptor K. Bogdanas)
In 1971-1972, Administrative block of Vilnius II construction trust building
In 1974, Interiors, the Ministry of higher and spec. secondary education of LSSR (1978, with the arch. A. Mačiulis and sculptor T. Baginskas)
In 1978, Planning and arrangement project for Great Courtyard of Vilnius University (Skarga yard) (with sculptor G. Karalius)
In 1978, Monument “Baltija” in Kokol, Finland (with sculptor P. Deltuva)
In 1966-1981, Practice block of Lithuanian Art Institute (now ADT), Vilnius (co-author V. Nasvytis et al.)
In 1971-1972, Projects of two garden houses
In1984, Bridge Academy of Art, Vilnius
Architectural components of many tombstones; designs of interiors, exhibition expositions. [4]
In 1997, Project of memorial to those who died for freedom in Žeimiai (with sculptor K. Bogdanas)
In 2001, Project of memorial to died soldiers of local troop in Paneriai, Vilnius (with sculptor K. Bogdanas)
Awards:
In 1974, Lenin Prize for Lazdynai residential catchment (with the arch. V.E. Čekanauskas et al.)
In 1975, Prize of the USSR Council of Ministers for Vilnius bus station
In 1984, LSSR State Prize for the practice block of Lithuanian Art Institute (now ADT)
In 1984, LSSR People’s Architect
In 1998, Grade 3 Order of Gediminas
In 2000, Lithuanian Independence Medal
References:
1) Aušra Siaurusaitytė. Vytautas Brėdikis: Thirteenth Knight./ Archiforma, 2006(3). 44-43 p.
2) Algimantas Mačiulis. Vytautas Brėdikis. Universal Lithuanian Encyclopaedia, V. III (Beketeriai-Chakasai). – Vilnius: Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Institute, 2003. – 463 p.
3) http://www.architektura.vda.lt/index.php/pageid/609/articlepage/0/articleid/218
4) Algimantas Mačiulis. Vytautas Brėdikis. Encyclopaedia of Soviet Lithuania, V. 1 (A-Grūdas). – Vilnius: General editorial office of encyclopaedias, 1985. – 283 p.
http://www.vda.lt/index.php/pageid/901
