Wooden Architecture in Riga (Ensemble in Kalnciema Street)

In contrary to other European countries, wooden buildings in Riga (capital city of Latvia) were built in large quantities up to the First World War and continued till 1930s. After the Second World War Latvia in 1960s - 70s did not experience modernism, which was popular in Europe, mainly because there was a lack of living space because of the great number of guest workers brought in by the Soviet regime. As time passed, wooden buildings were considered to be poor peoples’ housing, so this lead to the situation that nowadays more than 90% of all wooden living buildings in Riga are in very poor conditions. However, that opinion is changing and this year many reconstruction projects have been started.

One of the most important architectural monuments is wooden building ensemble in Kalnciema street – living quarter consisting entirely of wooden houses – 23 altogether. This street is one of the most lively Riga’s streets, leading to airport and accessing several highways and very close to city centre.…