Kęstutis Pempė, collection code VAM-3
He is a Lithuanian architect, public man, and educator. He was born in Kaunas on 3 June 1949. In 1967 he finished 8th secondary school in Kaunas (now – Kaunas Santara gymnasium) and entered the Department of Architecture of Faculty of Civil Engineering at Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (now – Kaunas University of Technology). In 1968-1972 he studied and graduated from Faculty of Architecture at Civil Engineering Institute in Vilnius (VISI, now VGTU). In 1972-1992 he worked for City Construction Design Institute (MSPI) as an architect, senior architect, team leader, chief architect of the project. In 1992 he founded UAB Vilnius architecture studio (with colleagues); at first he was a director, so far he has been an architect, project manager, Chairman of the Board of the company. In 1992-2005 he worked as an architect at UAB United Architects’ Studio; so far has been a member of the Board of UAB JAD. In 1997-1998 he was the project manager of Vilnius city general plan.
In his creative work K. Pempė is distinguished by a broader sight of context (cultural, social, etc.). His works are both distinctive and innovative. According to the architect, he is not an artist individualist who intends to change the world by his distinct philosophy. Rather, he is the artist, embodying the spirit of the times – K. Pempė has been creating for over 40 years, so his creative biography is not only very rich with his created jobs, but it also captures the different epochs; his projects reflect the cultural, social and aesthetic changes in the country and the world. Architect had to design during the Soviet era, in the times of changes he was been recognized as one of the best architects of Lithuania, and he implemented a number of large objects that had turned into some challenges to the designer during the latter first decade of this millennium.
Exclusive feature of all his projects is conceptuality. Starting with “Strėva” resort and ending with the work of public building area of urban – architectural competition on Tauras Mount won in 2008. Even in the objects, attracting attention with deep creator’s sense of form, space, environment and material, it is first necessary to look for idea. It is the key to Kęstutis Pempė world of projects. For example, idea of “Strėva” resort buys over by its simplicity: the volumes have been set of triangular shapes. Brilliantly simple and thereby highly suggestive solution. The reconstruction project of Maritime Museum is also similar: the extension surrounds the standing structure like a mound. Correct geometric volume: it is elementary, but complex tasks are resolved having invoked it, and most importantly, the former fortress environment has its prototype returned.
Another unique aspect of Kęstutis Pempė creative work is collegial work. Only working in a team, he feels the fullness of designing and rejoices at this process. People near him sometimes open up the door to the world of ideas of the architect themselves without being aware of that, and they are spread in new works of K. Pempė. Being with colleagues, travelling or just discussing with them, he grows, finds and offers new thoughts, new ideas. And not necessarily related only to the works, he also cares about the life in architects’ workshop none the less. Basically, Kęstutis Pempė the figure symbolizing variable processes in architecture of independent Lithuania during the decadal periods.
Academic activities
In 1976-1986 – taught architectural design at Vilnius Engineering Construction Institute, Faculty of Architecture. Since 1999 – present teaches at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Department of Architecture, a docent.
Social activities
From 1996 to 2005 he was elected and worked as the chairman of LAS Vilnius Branch, deputy chairman of LAS. In 1996 he was elected LAS urbanism and architecture expert. Since 2000 has represented the Architects Association of Lithuania at the Architects Council of Europe. From 2005 till February 2008 he was LAS chairman. Since 2008 – LAS deputy chairman, a member of LAS Board member responsible for the LAS foreign policy and activities in international organizations; he is a long-lived member of the Board of LAS Architecture and Urban Planning Experts; in 2005-2007 he represented LAS in the Committee of National and Culture Awards at Lithuanian Ministry of Culture. In 2007, he was elected to KM art and culture commission as a member of the Board of Association of Art Creators. Since 2013, he is a member of the Culture Board of the Ministry of Culture of the republic of Lithuania.
Awards:
1981, 1984, and 1986 Winner of the competitions of the USSR best architectural objects
1986 Awarded State Prize of the USSR Council of Ministers
1998 Awarded Art Prize of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
1999 Awarded the Lithuanian National Culture and Arts Award
Works:
1974-1980 MSPI rest-house “Strėva” Kazelkiškių vil., Trakai dist.
1976-1984 Institute of people’s economy development specialists in Baltupiai
1978 Monument to “Science”, competitive project in Kharkiv (with G. Baravykas, G. Ramunis; sculptor S. Šarapovas)
1981-1986 Vilnius City PH Road police building (Giraitė str. 3, Vilnius, with G. Ramunis)
1975-1976 Public shopping centre in Šeškinės catchment (with G. Ramunis, G. Baravykas)
1987 International competition of public – cultural centre in Erfurt (special prize, with G. Ramunis, G. Baravykas)
1988-1989 Republican competition of Kaunas Drama Theatre (first place, with K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis)
Competitive project of Mindaugas monument in Druskininkai (sculptor V. Kašuba, with K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis)
1990 Church of St. M. Mary Christians Help in Alytus (first place, with K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis)
1993-2003 Church of Lithuanian Martyrs in Domeikava (with K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis, A. Asausks, R. Mulokas)
1992-1995 “Hermis” bank building in Jogailos str. 9, Vilnius (with G. Ramunis)
1995 Vilnius Seminary competitive project (second place)
1996-1997 “Kredyt Bank SA” reconstruction project in Vilnius (with G. Ramunis, D. Pauliukoniene, A. Grigaravičius)
1992-1997 Business centre and hotel “Centrum”, Vilnius (with G. Ramunis, A. Asauskas. K. Kisielius)
1997-1998 Vilnius City master plan till 2005 (project manager, together with the team)
1991-1992 Planning project of Vilnius city centre on the right bank of the Neris (together with A. Asauskas R. Kirdulis, K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis, A. Nasvytis, R. Stasėnas)
1998-2000 Residential administrative building in Kalinausko str., Vilnius (with G. Ramunis, V. Lukoševičius, A. Pliučas)
1998-1999 “Mitsubishi” car centre in Vilnius (with V. Lukoševičius, A. Pliučas)
1998-2000 Reconstruction of the building into “Radisson SAS” hotel in Didžioji str. 33/2, Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
1990 Church of St. M. Mary Christians Help in Alytus (first place, with K. Kisielius, G. Ramunis)
2000-2002 Reconstruction of “Siguldos baldai” showroom in Žirmūnai, Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
2001 Divine Mercy Chapel in Santariškių Republican hospital complex (together with A. Pliučas)
2002-2003 Private house in Riešė, Vilnius (with V. Lukoševičius)
1997-1999 TAMRO drug distribution centre in Kaunas (together with A. Pliučas, G. Ramunis)
2002-2003 Reconstruction of “Lietuvos energija” building in Žvejų str., Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
2003-2004 Reconstruction of “Lietuvos energija” complex – the facades of buildings and area in Juozapavičiaus str. 13A, Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
2003-2004 Residential block of flats and commercial buildings in V. M. Putino str. 12/M. Valančiaus str. 3 (with A. Pliučas)
2005-2008 Residential block of flats in V. M. Putino str. 12/M. Valančiaus str. 3 (with A. Pliučas)
2003-2004 Residential block of flats in Čiurlionio str. 84, Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
2005-2006 King Mindaugas apartments and commercial centre in Olimpiečių str., Vilnius (with R. Kirdulis, L. Jančyte; first stage)
2005-2006 King Mindaugas apartments and commercial centre in Olimpiečių str., Vilnius (with R. Kirdulis, L. Jančyte; second stage)
2003-2004 Reconstruction of the building into the Netherland ambassador’s residence in Radvilaitės str. 12, Vilnius (with A. Pliučas)
2004-2007 Guest-house in Vilnius avenue, Druskininkai
2004-2005 Vilnius private residential house in Laurų str. Vilnius
2007 “Megrame” territory development project-based proposals (leader of authors’ group)
2007 Administrative commercial building in Ozo str., Vilnius (with A. Pliučas, E. Valevičiūte, V. Augustinavičius)
2007 Maritime Museum reconstruction in Klaipeda (with V. Lukoševičius, V. Gricius)
2007 Project for residential – commercial complex “Ganibu Dambis” in Riga (with the Belgian company “Buro2”: with S. Bono, A. Pliučas. E. Watanabe, L. Jančyte, M. Nagele, G. Gečaite)
2007 Druskininkai municipality and city general plan (project manager)
2008 Competition for reconstruction of Lithuanian Film Studios in Nemenčinės str. 4, Vilnius (second place, with A. Pliučas, T. Noreika, E. Petkevičius, N. Baran, G. Gečaite, E. Valevičiūte)
2008 Urban development competition of Tauras mount area between Pamėnkalnio, Sierakausko, Čiurlionio and Tauro streets (first place; (with A. Pliučas, L. Jančyte, G. Gečaite, J. Dagelis, N. Baran, V. Lukoševičius, D. Kisielius, V. Kutaite, I. Lukauskas)
References:
Aida Štelbienė. Architect Kęstutis Pempė: time, people, works. Vilnius: 2009.
http://www.architektura.vda.lt/index.php/pageid/609/articlepage/1/articleid/138
http://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kęstutis_Pempė
