Academy of Sciences, a photo from Rigas, Central

Photographer's Note

Building of Academy of Sciences.

The Academy of Sciences edifice was built after World War II, between 1951 and 1961, collecting the necessary financing from the newly established kolkhozes in Latvia and – as further expenses increased, collecting the finances as "voluntary donations" deducted from the salaries of the Latvian rural population.

The building is decorated with several hammer and sickle symbols as well as Latvian folk ornaments and motifs. The spire was originally decorated with a wreath and a five pointed star, which was removed after Latvia regained independence in 1991. Being 108 metres (354 ft) tall, it was the first skyscraper in the republic and was the tallest building until the construction of the Swedbank Headquarters in Latvia (121 metres, 397 ft), and at the time, one of the highest reinforced concrete buildings in the world.

The building, designed by Osvalds Tīlmanis, Vaidelotis Apsītis, and Kārlis Plūksne, is a cousin to similar Stalin-era skyscrapers, which were representative of what became known as Stalinist architecture (sometimes referred to as Socialist Classicism). The architecture of the skyscraper resembles many others built in the Soviet Union at the time, most notably the main building of Moscow State University. Local nicknames include Stalin's birthday cake and the Kremlin.

The view of Riga cityscape is open for public viewing from the 17th-floor balcony (height of 65 metres, 213 ft).

pierrefonds, jimmyjimmy, ChrisJ, pajaran, holmertz, Fis2, ikeharel, jhm, macjake, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pierrefonds (115408) 2019-11-16 17:04

Hi Piotr,

The antenna on the top of the building is an eye-catcher. The poit of view is showing the details of the Acandemy of Science building. It is clear and sharp. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2019-11-16 17:49

Hello Piotr

Well done on filling up the frame with this POV. The streets are deserted. Makes for a nice capture though. Nice

Jimmy

emka (158672) 2019-11-16 18:54

Czesc Piotrze
Nie wiem dlaczegonie widzialam tego charakterystycznego budynku.
Za tydzien juz wracam. Bede miala trudne zadanie co wybrac z setek zdjec. Po Arabii trudno sie podrozuje zadnej informacji brak transportu.
Pozdrawiam
Malgo

ChrisJ (172372) 2019-11-16 19:25

Hi Piotr,

The architectural style is distinctly Stalinist and resembles similar structures in Warsaw and Sofia eg. But here I like the contrast with the rustic looking wooden building in the fg. Good sharpness and framing with excellent perspective. Tfs!

pajaran (116915) 2019-11-16 22:56

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepa fasda i detalji, lepa stara arhitektura.
Lepa Building of Academy of Sciences.
Lepo pokazano, dobro uhvacen trenutak sa belim oblacima na plavom nebu.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Nice facade and details, nice old architecture.
Beautiful Academy of Sciences Building.
Beautifully shown, well captured moment with white clouds in blue sky.

Nicou (193814) 2019-11-16 23:26

Hello

Grandiose vue et captage quel édifice et captage quelle vue cette tour majestueuse ces tons bruns et l'autre édifice à ses côtés quel ensemble et cadrage
bravo et amitié
Nciou

jemaflor (148094) 2019-11-16 23:27

Hi Piotr,
Interesting architecture, well framed from a good angle, well managed, good rendering, tfs.

mkamionka (75009) 2019-11-17 0:02

Czesc Piotr,
to naprawde przypomina stylem palac kultury z Warszawy.
Ladnie pokazane z tym starym domem na pierwszym planie ciekawie kontrastujacym i stylem i kolorem.
Rowniez niebo dodaje koloru, chmurki ladnie ulozyly sie w przyjemny desen.
Bardzo atrakcyjna prezentacja.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M

holmertz (103520) 2019-11-17 0:23

Hello Piotr,
This is a perfect capture of the high and low of the Soviet Union. The contrast between the Stalinist skyscraper and the neglected wooden house is amazing, but very typical. It's a very interesting photo and very well taken.
Best regards,
Gert

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-11-17 0:29

Piotr, that massive building in concrete has a Stalinist style. It houses the academy of sciences in Riga. The tower is impressive, it contrasts with the wooden house on the right. Fine colors, good image quality, instructive photo note, regards.

Fis2 (171789) 2019-11-17 0:35

Czesc Piotr!
Ale budowla stylem przypomina...
Ciekawy kontrast z tym starym budynkiem.
Ladny kadr z perspektywa.
Dobre swiatlo i kolorki.
Milej niedzieli.
Pozdrawiam.
Krzysztof

ikeharel (114435) 2019-11-17 0:44

An imposing sight of the academy tower, Piotr.
It is a remnant of the communists-era styled building I reckon in many pictures from the eastern block.
A fine upwards POV with distinct clear details.
Have a nice sunday,
Ike

lousat (139906) 2019-11-17 2:33

Hi Piotr,a perfect example of what remains of the russian era,the typical soviet architechture as i can see and as i can read in your note,a perfect postcard very sharp and bright as usual. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Tue (93296) 2019-11-17 3:30

Hello Piotr,
You are showing some parts of Riga that I missed here. A great shot of this impressive building, the much smaller wooden house is also well included in the foreground. You had a pleasant sunlight, which made the brick architecture stand out so well from the blue sky.
Lars

Silvio1953 (222747) 2019-11-17 3:41

Ciao Piotr, great view of fantastic building, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-11-17 7:12

Hi Piotr
A very fine solid looking huge building & interesting architectural detail that you managed to retain, it's a very dynamic angle and POV, works well with this treatment to dramatise its huge size even more. The earthly colours looks so soothing on the eye which is further standout against blue sky! Nice balanced shot of it, well done.
Best regards

jhm (211738) 2019-11-17 9:19

Hello Piotr,

A little bit build style out of the East Countries out of the fifties..
Colours and sharpness are superb.
Perfect composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

Royaldevon (86328) 2019-11-17 12:54

Hello Piotr,

You have found two very contrasting buildings, one old and wooden, the other severe and imposing. They are unusual neighbours, so very different! Your viewpoint has been well chosen, creating an excellent sense of depth and perspective.

My warm regards,
Bev 😊

Gerrit (62042) 2019-11-17 16:55

Hello Piotr,
wonderful piece of architecture and very well presented in the sunlight. Good work,
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

macjake (98544) 2019-11-18 4:16

Hi Piotr
looking at your gallery page this one stood out for me IMMEDIATELY. The presence of the Academy of Sciences is so strong. Its an exact duplicate of the one in Warsaw, or at least I think it is. Personally, I like it, I know many people DO NOT. Great to add in the old wooden building too, that makes the scene so much better and more interesting. cheers
Craig

mcmtanyel (69063) 2019-11-25 20:29

Hello Piotr,
This is an interesting building with historic significance. I like the wooden building closer to the camera, too. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT