The square, which is intended for meetings, resting and social interaction, has comfortable amphitheatre benches installed, trees planted, and it is planned that community events will be hosted here.
“While planning Paupys, we focused particular attention on public spaces which would be attractive not only to those working and living here, but also to visitors. We planned alongside architect professor Gintaras Čaikauskas for the area’s main square to be comfortable for both adults and children alike. As such, the main accent of the square is its child-friendly fountain,” says director of property management at Darnu Group, Mantas Umbrasas.
Fountain reflects the area’s principles of continuity
“When creating the urban planning projects, we had the thought to revitalise the location’s unique spirit, having once featured a straight channel which connected the two parts of a meander in the Vilnia River which formed something akin to an island, and so we sought to express the water line conception through contemporary means. This idea obtained its final expression when creating the city square vision, employing modern technologies, and distributing the dynamic fountain flowing parallel to Aukštaičiai Street, reflecting the principles of historical continuity in this part of the city and its own idiosyncrasies,” professor Gintaras Čaikauskas says.
According to the architect, traditional city planning principles are associated with the forming of public spaces and the volumes surrounding them. “This method is encoded into the solutions used for revitalising Paupys as well, with passages and streets radiating out toward Vilnia, and converging on the central city square. The fountain line has become the main arts point and meaningful accent for the square’s spaces, which have been enriched by small architectural elements: a symbolic amphitheatre, benches, shrubbery and lights,” the architect described.
Fountains always offer vitality to spaces
“Fountains always grant vitality to spaces, they become a centre of gravity where not only elements of aesthetics and modernity become important, but also security. The fountain does not feature an open water reservoir, and does not have any visual pollution because its modules are integrated into the pavement. When the fountain is not operational, it is completely unnoticeable, and the space can be used for events and gatherings,” says Mantvydas Šakalys, the head of UAB Poolservice.LT, which installed the fountain.
The fountain forms vertical streams, with the height and lighting of each stream crating innumerable variations of the interplay between water and lighting. The highest stream reaches up to 1.6 metres. Over an hour, the fountain’s water circulation reaches almost 66 cubic metres.
The central square of the multifunctional Paupys square already hosts a café and hairdresser. Soon, an art gallery, bookstore and bakery are to settle in as well. A view of Paupys’ public and business block opens up to the square’s visitors, and not only offices are settling here. Openings are planned for various restaurants, stores, a pharmacy, a bank branch, the cinema Pasaka, and a new centre of attraction for Vilnius guests and residents – Paupio Turgus [Paupys Market], where produce will be offered by the best food producers. Various eateries and cafes will also be found, as well as a gourmet food academy where events will be held.
Soon, one more fountain in an industrial style, will be launched in Paupys next to Paupio Turgus. It will open its doors in autumn 2020
