„We are looking for partners who would see this project not only as a construction site but also as an opportunity to contribute to the revival of one of the most important places in Kaunas,“ said Šarūnas Šoblinskas, head of KIC implementing the Kaunas central post office modernization project, in a statement.
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In the second phase, the northern facade of the Kaunas central post office building, located in the inner courtyard, will be renovated.
„If in the first phase we focused mainly on the representative facades visible from Laisvės Avenue, now we turn to the inner side of the building.
Researchers of Kaunas modernism emphasize that the true interwar modernism is best revealed precisely in courtyards – there the pure architectural structure and the essence of the solutions open up. Although the inner courtyard facade is not representative, this part requires the same attention as the visible facades. Ambitious, experienced partners are needed to implement this phase,“ says the head of KIC.
Companies with experience and capacity to implement such projects are invited to apply. They must have a qualified cultural heritage specialist. Also required is an annual turnover of no less than 1 million euros.
The competition is organized as open – all companies meeting the set requirements can participate, including the contractor performing the first phase works. The public procurement conditions are prepared to ensure a transparent, non-discriminatory process and real competition among market participants.
The winning contractor will have to complete the works within 120 days. The works are planned to start in July this year and continue into autumn. The deadline for submitting proposals or applications to participate in the procurement is June 22.
The contractor will work with authentic building materials. The works are planned to start with thorough surface preparation: facades will be cleaned in various ways – from mechanical scrubbing to the use of special cleaning agents, removing accumulated dirt, old paint layers, and biological contamination. Surfaces will be washed, disinfected, and treated to stop further material decay.
Damaged plaster will be removed only where necessary, and the exposed masonry will be restored – joints will be repaired, bricks restored, cracks reinforced.
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Simultaneously, building details are planned to be renovated. Metal elements will be cleaned, protected from corrosion, and painted as much as possible to preserve and adapt them for further use.
Special attention will be paid to windows – they will be restored using the latest technologies. At the same time, window and door fittings will be restored, maintaining their authentic form and materiality.
This phase is an important part of the entire project – it will allow completing the exterior renovation of the building and open the way for further use and adaptation works of this exceptional modernist building.
After renovating the Kaunas central post office building, it will be adapted for cultural activities. The National Architecture Institute (NAI) will operate in the southern wing and the operations hall, exhibitions will be held, a library, creative residencies, educational and workspaces will be established.
An information center is planned near the main entrance, where information about activities in the building, the Kaunas central post office building, its history, and development will be provided. A bookstore and souvenir shop will also operate here. The information center could also host a historic post office.
A library reading room is planned on the basement floor. The first floor is intended for permanent exhibition space and educational workshop rooms. Creative offices, meeting rooms, rest, and social zones are planned on the third to sixth floors of the southern wing.
Currently, the representative facade of the Kaunas central post office from Laisvės Avenue side is being renovated, Soviet-era extensions are being demolished, and engineering infrastructure is being updated. Simultaneously, interior demolition works are underway, removing Soviet-era solutions to restore the authentic spatial structure.
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the state budget. A total of 16.5 million euros is allocated: about 14 million euros from EU funds and about 2.5 million euros from the state. The works are planned to be completed in 2027.
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