Architect' office BALTA ISTABA is founded in 2006 by Ilze Rukmane-Poča and Roberts Riekstiņš. Our conceptual approach is based on high quality architecture practising all main spheres of design including landscape architecture, interior design and urban planning focusing un public, residential and industrial building architecture design and reconstruction. Design work includes full project complex, including management of engineering parts and project supervision during construction.
BALTA ISTABA - in translation WHITE ROOM - conceptually symbolises the staring point of creativity and clear undisturbed place for exchanging ideas by cooperating among designers with an aim for high class design and architcture.
Dr. arch. Ilze Rukmane-Poča
In 2002 Dr. arch. Ilze Rukmane - Poča graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of Riga Technical University. In 2004 she obtained a master's degree in engineering, majoring in architecture. From 1998 to 2007 she worked in the architecture office of SIA “Postform Projekts Rīga”. Since 2007 the architect of the architect's office Ltd. "Balta Istaba" - project manager. Since 2008, the head of the architectural firm LLC "Balta Istaba" - member of the board. From 2009 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2018 she was a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of Riga Technical University. Field of activity - architectural design, building typology. From 2010 to 2015 she participated in several international scientific conferences and published several scientific articles and publications. Research direction - contemporary architecture, art synthesis in architecture. In 2015 she obtained a doctoral degree in architecture in the sub-branch of architectural theory and history in the field of architecture for her doctoral dissertation - Synthesis of Arts in Latvian Architecture. From June 2015 elected as a researcher of the Faculty of Architecture, from 2018 - Assistant Professor
In her work experience, she has developed more than a hundred different projects from smaller to larger. The most significant - the environmental object “Labyrinth” in Dome square, Riga, Residential building complex at Hospitāļu street 9-13 (under construction), International standard UCI certified BMX start building and track in Valmiera.
Designed several private houses and building reconstructions, e.g. mansion in Grīšlu Street 4 in Jūrmala and reconstruction of the building in Elizabetes Street Nr. 15.
As a project manager and chief architect in cooperation with interior designer Anna Butele and her office “Annvil” and “Cobalt” in 2018-2019, she designed and managed a construction project for a 51-storey building in Baku (Baku Tower) - 68,000 sq.m. area. (Reconstruction / new building and interior - the building is under construction).
In her practice, she cooperates with artists from various fields in developing environmental projects and bicycle parks, currently the most ambitious is the development of the Talsi Vilkmuiža Lake surroundings development concept in cooperation with SIA “We build parks”, artist Liene Mackus and landscape architect Indra Rāte.
In 2018, the environmental object “Labyrinth” /in cooperation with Liene Mackus/ received the annual award in architecture - Silver Pineapple.
Research publications
Contemporary Urban Space in the Context of Formal Currents of Architecture | Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University: Series 10. Architecture and Urban Planning | 2011
The Tendencies of Formal Expression of 21th Century Architecture | Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University: Series 10. Architecture and Urban Planning | 2010
Teaching + Lectures
2009 - 2020 RTU - Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning
2010 - 2015 participated in several international scientific conferences and published several scientific articles and publications. Research direction - contemporary architecture, art synthesis in architecture.
Awards
In 2020 BMX Track in Latvia received the 1st place in the competition “Latvian Construction Annual Award 2019” | category – “The Best Construction of the Year”.
In 2020, architect Ilze Rukmane-Poča received 3rd place in the competition “Latvian Construction Annual Award 2019” | category “The Best Construction Project manager”.
In 2020, BMX Track in Latvia received 3rd place in the competition “The Best Building of the Year in Latvia in 2019”.
In 2018, the environmental object “Labyrinth” | in cooperation with Liene Mackus | received the Annual Award in Architecture - Silver Pineapple.
MARIS STROMBERGS BMX TRACK “VALMIERA”, VALMIERA (15549m2)
CLIENT: VALMIERA CITY COUNCIL PROJECT TEAM:
GENERAL PROJECT MANAGER– SIA “BALTA ISTABA”,
BUILDING DESIGN MANAGEMENT, OBJECT CONCEPT AND ARCHITECTURE – SIA “BALTA ISTABA”, ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, ZANE DALMANE, MODRIS FERSTERS, GATIS GRAVERS.
TERITORY ROAD SECTION – SIA “CELU KOMFORTS”, EDGARS LEITIS.
BUILDING AND TRACK BMX TECHNICAL CONSULTANT – LATVIAN BMX COACH - IVO LAKUCS.
BUILDING STRUCTURE – SIA “TRENDFOR”, GIRTS VIKSNE, JURIS ORLOVS, LIGA GAILE.
METAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS (MKD) – SIA OZT, GASTONS GASPUITIS,
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF THE BUILDING DESIGN, ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL NETWORKS) – SIA “ELEKTRO PROJEKTI”, GUNTIS DZERINS,
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF THE BUILDING DESIGN - HEATING AND VENTILATION – SIA “EKU INZENIERTIKLU PROJEKTESANAS BIROJS”, ALEKSANDRS BULATNIKOVS,
HEATING, EXTERNAL NETWORKS – SIA “MN PROJEKTI” MARIS NAGLA,
WATERSUPPLY AND SEWAGE – INGA MEIRANE,
RAIN WATER SEWAGE – INGA MEIRANE, EDGARS LEITIS.
ELEXTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS OF THE BUILDING DESIGN, FIRRE-FIGHTING AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS – SIA “PRO PROJEKTS”, AGRIS LAPSUKS, ILGVARS KOZLOVS.
REVIEW OF THE FIRE SAFETY MEASURES– SIA “PFS”, AIGARS MELNALKSNIS.
CALCULATION OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY – “JAUNRIGA EKO”, EDGARS STURMOVICS.
ECONOMIC SECTION – JANIS OZOLS. BUILDER – SIA “SANART”.
BUILDING SUPERVISOR – SIA “BUVUZRAUGS LV”.
AUTHORATIVE SUPERVISOR - SIA “BALTA ISTABA”. YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2017-2019 STAGE: BUILT
BMX TRACK IN VALMIERA THAT IS NAMED IN HONOUR OF THE TWO TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, WORLD CHAMPION AND THREE TIME EUROPEAN CHAMPION IN THE BMX DISCIPLINE - MARIS STROMBERGS. IT HAS BEEN NAMED THE MOST ABITIOUS SPORTS STRUCTURE IN LATVIA 2019, RECEIVING 1ST PLACE AT THE “LATVIAN CONSTRUCTION YEAR AWARD 2019” IN THE NOMINATION “NEW ENGINEERING STRUCTURE”. THE SPORTS CENTRE OPENED JULY LAST YEAR IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BMX INDUSTRY IN LATVIA AND FOR THE REGIONAL SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE AS A WHOLE. “THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY BMX TRACKS IN THE WORLD DESIGNED NOT ONLY FOR THE UCI (UNION CYLISTE INTERNATIONALE) REGULATIONS, ATHLETE WELLBEING AND SAFETY BUT ALSO ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE TRACK, SO THAT THIS BUILDING SERVES NOT ONLY AS A FUNCTIONAL SPORTS STRUCTURE BUT ALSO AS A STRONG LANDMARK” THE MAIN IDEA OF THE BUILDING IS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE PROJECT. TO EMPHASIZE THE STRUCTURES TECHNICAL IMAGE, THE TRACK’S START RAMPS HAVE BEEN MADE OF METAL CARCASS, WHICH AT ONCE SERVES AS A BEARING STRUCTURE AS WELL AS VISUALLY CREATES RHYTHMICAL FACADES AND SPLITS THE VOLUMES INTO EQUAL PARTS. BEHIND THE WOODEN AND STRUCTURED GLASS FACADES THE PUBLIC AND TECHNICAL PREMISES ARE PLACED – ATHLETE CHANGING ROOMS, GYM, SHOP AND THE BIKE REPAIR WORKSHOP. THE BUILDINGS SIDE FACADES AND ROOFS ARE SEWN WITH PERFORATED METAL PANELS THAT DISPLAY THE HISTORIC FINISH IMAGES OF MARIS STROMBERGS.
SINGLE STOREY RESIDENTAL HOUSE, MARUPE
ARCHITECTS: ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, MILANA MATORIGINA YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2018-2019 STAGE: IN CONSTRUCTION
FOR THIS BUILDING’S SINGLE STOREY INDIVIDUAL HOUSE PROJECT FINISH MODERN MATERIALS HAVE BEEN USED – GRAPHIC FIBER CEMENT PANELS EQUITONE AND METAL STRUCTURES FOR DECORATIVE ROOFS OVER THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND TERRACE WHICH ARE ALSO THE MAIN ARCHITECTURAL ACCENTS OF THE BUILDING. THE FLOORPLAN IS ORIENTED TOWARDS THE COURTYARD IN THE SOUTH SIDE – THE PANORAMIC LIVING ROOM, BEDROOM AND THE KIDS ROOM WINDOWS ALL OPEN TO A SPACIOUS TERRACE WITH AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN. ON THE STREET SIDE THERE IS THE MAIN ENTRANCE INTO THE BUILDING, THE GARAGE AND THE KITCHEN WINDOW IS FACING THAT WAY. THE GREENERY OF THE AREA IS MADE IN A COMPLEMENTING ASCETIC MANNER – FLOWERBEDS WITH GRAIN GRASS ARE PLACED RIGHT BY THE LARGER AREAS OF GLASS MERGING THE BUILDING’S INTERIOR WITH THE EXTERIOR.
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSE, MARUPE
ARCHITECTS: ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, EGILS MARKUS YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2015-2018 STAGE: IN CONSTRUCTION
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTAL HOUSE IN MARUPE DESIGNED WITH A MODERN APROACH. DIFFERS FROM STANDARD PLANS IN SIMILAR HOUSES. THERE ARE NO ROOMS FOR CHILDREN, HOWEVER A SPACIOUS OFFICE, CIGAR ROOM AND CAPACIOUS GARAGE WITH ROOM FOR A BOAT AND A MOTORBIKE ARE THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED. PANORAMIC WINDOWS AND WIDE TERRACES FORM KEY ARCHITECTONIC ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING. RHYTHM IN FACADES ARE ORGANIZED BY PARALLEL AND AMONGST THEMSELVES SPLIT PLANES WITH WOODEN OR BRICK FINISH THAT COVERS GLAZING AND SECURES INTIMACY. TO EASE CLEANING OF THE TERRITORY, DECORATIVE TREES AND BUSHES WERE PREFERRED INSTEAD OF PLANTING BEDS.
PLAYGROUND “LABYRINTH” IN DOME SQUARE, RIGA (461m2)
PROJECT TEAM: ARTIST LIENE MACKUS, ARCHITECTS ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, ANDRIS FERSTERS, MODRIS FERSTERS, GATIS GRAVERS YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2016-2018 STAGE: BUILT AWARDS: “LATVIAN ARCHITECTURE AWARD 2018” 1ST PLACE (SILVER PINEAPPLE)
“LABYRINTH” IS A CONTEMPORARY INSTALLATION IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT, WHICH SERVES AS A FUNCTIONAL PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN AS WELL. HERE THE VISITORS ARE GIVEN AN IMPULSE FOR THOUGHTS AND FANTASIES, WHILE CHILDREN ON THE OTHER HAND MUST COME UP WITH THEIR OWN GAMES, WHICH REACH BEYOND CRADLES AND SLIDES. REGARDING THE CONCEPT AND THE FORMFACTOR IT RESPECTS THE NEARBY DOME CHURCH AND THE OLDTOWN CONTEXT – WOODEN WALL STRUCTURE SEEMINGLY RELIES ON THE OLD MIDDLE-AGE TOWN STREET NETWORK WHERE IN THE MIDDLE THERE WAS ALWAYS A CHURCH. IN OUR CASE – IT IS A CAROUSEL WITH A BRONZE ROOSTER AT THE TOP (A PROTOTYPE OF THE RIGA DOME ROOSTER). AROUND THE WALLS “LIVE” CREATURES MADE OF BRONZE – A UNICORN, A DRAGON, AN ARMADILLO AND AN OWL.
THREE RESIDENTAL HOUSE COMPLEX ON HOSPITALU STREET (3691.2m2)
PROJECT TEAM: ARCHITECTS ILZE RUKAMNE-POCA, LIDIJA REINFELDE-MITENIECE, VITA SKAPARE YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2013-2020 STAGE: IN CONSTRUCTION
RESIDENTAL HOUSE COMPLEX ON HOSPITALU STREET INCLUDES TWO NEW BUILDINGS AND ONE HISTORICAL BUILDING THAT HAS BEEN RECONSTRUCTED. THERE ARE 40 APARTMENTS, THAT RANGE FROM 30 TO 120 SQUARE METERS, TWO STOREY PENTHOUSES IN THE UPPER FLOORS, COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND AN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT FOR 27 CARS. THE EXISTING BUILDING HAS BEEN SUPPLEMENTED WITH A GARRET FLOOR WITH A METAL PLATE FACADE WHICH CONTRASTS WITH THE HISTORICAL FACADE. THE NEW BUILDINGS FACADES HAVE DIFFERENT TONE BRICK FINISH WHICH COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER. WINDOW FORM IS CHOSEN TO BE ASCETIC, GIVEN RHYTHM TO THE FACADE THROUGH THE DIFFERENT DEPTH OF THE WINDOW AISLES. THE BUILDING IS ALSO ENRICHED BY THE DIFFERENT FORM ROOF FLOOR STRUCTURES.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL SQUARE ON BRIVIBAS STREET, RIGA (7940m2)
PROJECT TEAM: ARCHITECTS ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, MILANA MATORIGINA, ZANE DALMANE, AIJA MORICA YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2017-2019 STAGE: PROPOSAL PROJECT
THE SQUARE IS IN THE VEF DISTRICT WHERE THE OLD CITRIC ACID FACTORY WAS LOCATED. 16 ALREADY EXISTING BUILDINGS AFTER THE REPLANNING INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE USE FUNCTIONS. IN THE AREA NEAR BRIVIBAS STREET THERE IS TO BE A NEW OFFICE BUILDING, OF WHICH THE FIRST FLOOR IS PLANNED SO THAT IT WOULD MERGE THE BUILDINGS INSIDE SPACE WITH THE FAST-PACED CITY LIFE IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. THE MAIN PRINCIPAL FOR THE AREA’S COMMODITIES IS THE PRIORITY OF PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS, LIMITED CAR ACCESS, A PEOPLE-FRIENDLY SCALE OF BUILDINGS AND THE CHOICE OF NOT CROWDING THE AREA WITH BUILDINGS TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED EXTENT LEAVING PLACE FOR SPACIOUS GREEN COURTYARDS THAT THE PEOPLE COULD ENJOY.
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL HOUSE BY RIVER LIELUPE, JURMALA (294m2)
PROJECT TEAM: ARCHITECTS ILZE RUKMANE-POCA, VALDIS LINDE, MILANA MATORIGINA, ENERGY EFFICENY CONSULTANT ROBERTS RIEKSTINS YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT: 2015-2018 STAGE: BUILT
AWARDS: “LATVIAN CONSTRUCTION YEAR AWARD 2017” ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR ELABORATE EXECUTION
THE KEY POSITION FOR CLIENT IS THE SYMBIOSIS BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF ARCHITECTURE. ORIENTATION OF THE BUILDING CORRESPONDS WITH PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN – MAIN ENTRANCE AND COVERED PARKING IS PLACED TOWARDS NORTH, IN ADDITION THERE ARE NO WINDOWS ON NORTH FACADE. TERRACE WITH SUMMER KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM WITH PANORAMA WINDOWS ARE ORIENTED TOWARDS SOUTH AND RIVER. PANORAMA WINDOWS LET THE LOW SUN OF THE WINTER WARM UP THE INTERIOR, WHILE CANOPY OF TERRACE PROTECTS FROM HIGH SUMMER SUN. BEARING IN MIND THE CLOSENESS OF SEA AND RIVER, PINE TREE IS USED IN INTERIOR AS IN EXTERIOR DESIGN, WHILE IN TERRITORY ARE PLANTED DECORATIVE CONIFERS, BUSHES AND GRAIN GRASS.
