| 1. | Do you have an English website where we can reach all the information about the competition? | https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/en/ | |
| 2. | Referring to the announced international sketch design competition “Riga Philharmonic”, identification number RDĪD 2023/5, I would like you to clarify whether the company and its construction specialist may participate in the sketch design competition as an interested participant, if, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, in 2021 it analysed the possible inclusion of the spaces required by the Riga Philharmonic (formerly the National Acoustic Concert Hall) in the building of the Riga Congress Centre, and this analysis is currently also included in the competition materials. | According to Cabinet Regulation No. 107 of 28 February 2017 “a member of the jury and the responsible secretary are not be entitled to submit a design and to participate in the design contest, as well as to represent a participant of the design contest.” According to Section(18)(4) of the Public Procurement Law “if the candidate or tenderer, or a legal person connected with the candidate or tenderer consulted the contracting authority or otherwise engaged in the preparation of the procurement, the contracting authority shall ensure that the participation of the relevant candidate or tenderer does not give rise to the restriction of competition in the procurement, communicating to other candidates and tenderers the relevant information which has been provided when the candidate or the tenderer engaged in the preparation of the procurement or which arises out of such engagement, and setting a corresponding term for the submission of, respectively, applications or the tenders.” Pursuant to aforementioned legal acts, the commissioner hereby declares that there is no other relevant information that has been provided to any merchant or construction specialist who has been involved in the preparation of the pre-feasibility study materials of the competition, or what would result from such involvement, other than what is already included in the competition documentation. | |
| 3. | Why are you holding an international competition for an architect to transform the Riga Congress Centre into a new Riga Philharmonic? | The issue of an acoustic concert hall and its acute necessity for Riga has been on the agenda since the late 1980s. In 2020, a study was conducted and sites were analysed for their suitability for the implementation of the concert hall project. As many as 36 potential locations were identified in Riga and the building of the Congress Centre was selected as the most appropriate one as it would also strengthen the historic centre of the shrinking urban fabric. The results of the population survey conducted by the market research and public opinion polling centre “SKDS” also showed that two thirds of Latvian population regarded the Riga Congress Centre as the most suitable place for a concert hall. In order to have a modern concert hall with custom-designed acoustics ensuring exceptional quality for professional music, we need to look for the best reconstruction solutions in an international competition of architectural ideas. | |
| 4. | What is your vision for the future of the former congress centre building as a new music venue? | The solutions selected as a result of the competition will determine the specific scope and type of possible modifications of the building. Since the RIGA PHILHARMONIC is going to have an important cultural function, it is permissible to introduce modifications and interventions in the original substance of the Congress Centre to ensure its functioning, if the proposed architectural ideas create a new added value, high architectural and artistic quality and make the building blend well into the historic urban fabric of Riga. The location of the RIGA PHILHARMONIC close to the existing concert venues, recording studios and educational institutions is important to the musicians and music management. The Riga Congress Centre is within easy reach of the main infrastructure, public transport and musical and cultural objects in Riga. | |
| 5. | What sort of design teams would you like to see step forward for this culturally important opportunity? | As the goal of the sketch design competition is to obtain a well-developed architectural and functional solution, a sustainable design of the RIGA PHILHARMONIC building and the adjoining public open space, which would best suit the function and make the particular urban environment blend within one uniform ensemble, then architects who are fond of music of good acoustic quality, who are not afraid of the challenges of the competition site and transformation of the existing building substance, and who are ready to share their professional expertise and make the capital of Latvia more beautiful and richer in architecture should take part in this competition! | |
| 6. | The brief refers to a series of appendices in Section 16 which don’t seem to be included in the online PDF document – are these made available when interest in the project is registered? | In the competition home page https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/en/ you can download the competition brief and the designing programme: https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Riga-Philharmonic-Competition-Brief-and-Designing-programme.pdf at the end of the document, you will find the link https://ej.uz/appendix7 where additional information for the competition can be downloaded | |
| 7. | Please advise if the experience of one member of an association that forms the ‘Participant’ can considered sufficient to the meet the minimum relevant experience requested in No 9.4.2. Our practice successfully completed a very similar concert hall project in late 2016 and would seek to collaborate with the same acoustician and theatre consultants who have completed other similar projects in the last 5 years. | As the Participant of the Competition is any natural or legal person, and an association of such persons in any combination who offers to provide their services, then the experience of one member of the association of persons is sufficient. See also the answer to question 10. | |
| 8. | Is there a maximum amount scheduled for the works? If so, how much is it? I understood that the €3.511.209 amount is dedicated to designing and supervision only, but I cannot find any indications about the value of the actual realization of the project. | The planned amount of funding for the implementation of the object is 70 (seventy) million euros without VAT, allowing for fluctuations in the price of the project implementation reflecting the current construction prices. The said information is available in the introductory part (paragraph 3) of Appendix 1 to the Brief “Designing Programme”. | |
| 9. | Would an office building of a similar size or larger with public functions qualify as an important public object (a public building with a total area of at least 7000 m²) as laid down in the brief? | An office building with a total area of at least 7000 m² with public functions qualifies as a similar important public object. | |
| 10. | As regards qualification and experience in designing a public building, would an office participating in the competition qualify if it has an employee who has had such experience working on such a construction design while working in another office that is not participating in the competition? | The Participant of the Competition must comply with the requirement regarding the previous experience laid down in Clause 9.4.2 of the Brief, while the requirements for the previous experience of the specialists involved by the Participant of the Competition are determined in Clauses 9.4.3.1-9.4.3.7 of the Brief. Taking into account the above, we would like to point out that: both the Participant of the Competition as well as the specialists he/she has involved must have relevant experience;The experience of the Participant of the Competition and the specialists he/she has involved can be obtained in various objects;relying only on the previous experience of the involved specialist, it is not possible to meet the requirements set for the Participant if the Participant himself/herself does not have the experience required in Clause 9.4.2 of the Brief. Please pay attention to the requirement laid down in Clause 9.4.2.1 of the Brief, i.e. that the Participant of the Competition should have relevant experience “as a developed of a construction design”. The term “a developer of a construction design” is used in the Brief in line with the legal acts governing the construction sector in Latvia, namely, the legal definition provided in Section 1(17) of the Construction Law says, that “a developer of a construction design is a construction specialist or a construction merchant who has entered into a written agreement on designing or who carries out the development (designing) of a construction design or the changes therein for his or her own needs, and also an initiator of the construction who, in the cases specified in the special construction regulations, carries out the development of a construction design or the changes therein for his or her own needs “and Clause 31 of the General Construction Regulations states that “a client shall enter into contract on development of the building design with a developer of the building design”. In view of the above, it can be concluded that a developer of a construction design is a person – a construction merchant or a construction specialist who has concluded a written contract on development of the construction design directly with the initiator of the construction (i.e. the client). | |
| 11. | Would we qualify in regard to the designing of a public building if one of the engaged consultants (acoustician, civil engineer, etc.) has experience in designing of such an object, if they are included in the applicant’s team and can be considered the participants of the competition? | Please see the answer to the previous question (10). In addition, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the specialists involved by the Participant of the Competition are not considered the Participants of the Competition. | |
| 12. | Does the qualification in regard to the designing of a public building count if the applicant has work experience in regard to such an object, but he/she has not been a manager of the construction design in the particular project? | It is not clear what is meant by “work experience in regard to such an object”. Please see the answers to Questions 10 and 11. | |
| 13. | Is it required for the concept of urban development and landscaping of the territory to be fully developed, coordinated and approved by the Construction Board (or by the relevant competent authority abroad) in accordance with the procedures laid down in legal acts, or does a sketch design or construction proposal also qualify and meet the criteria? | The urban development concept and the improvement and landscaping of the territory can be both a construction design and a sketch design (see Clause 9.4.2.2 of the Brief). | |
| 14. | Is it possible for a counsellor of a participant to be in more than one team contemporarily for the first phase of the competition? There is an exclusivity clause about the multi participation with more than one competitor of the competition? Can an acoustic counsellor be insert in two different team that belong to two different competitors? | The specialists involved, including an acoustics specialist, may be involved in more than one team of the Participant of the Competition. There is no exclusivity clause in the Brief. | |
| 15. | In page 68 of the Competition Brief there is black and white interior picture with big sculptural chandelier in the lobby – is that chandelier still there? | The large chandelier of the Congress Centre has been dismantled, packed and is kept in the Congress Centre. | |
| 16. | The height of the building is allowed to change, So what is the maximum height limit of the building after renovation? | The National Heritage Board (NHB) states that neither the Law on the Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga, nor Cabinet Regulation No. 127 of 8 March 2004 “Regulations for Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga” do not specify the maximum permissible height in meters of new buildings, as well as buildings to be rebuilt. The aforementioned legal acts require the integration of a new building or a building to be rebuilt into the urban environment, in terms of shape, scale and materials used. In the territory of the historic centre of Riga, buildings higher than 24 m are built if their architectural image, including the use of materials and architectural innovations, ensures a high quality of the urban environment and a significant addition to the urban fabric, and if their basic functions supplement additional functions that are important for the entire society. The NHB states that in this particular case, for a nationally significant cultural building, which is built in the public interests, an increase in height would be permissible if it derives from the functional logic and does not negatively affect the historic urban environment from the characteristic vantage points. Therefore, in this case, determining the maximum height in meters is not relevant, but attention should be paid to the integration of the building into the historical urban environment after its reconstruction. The requirements for preserving all the values of the historic centre of Riga as a UNESCO world heritage site must be observed. Height limits of the buildings in meters are determined in the Spatial Plan, the control of which is ensured by the responsible services of the municipality. | |
| 17. | Are there any requirements for anonymous codes (number, types of characters …) | No, there are no specific requirements. | |
| 18. | Does development and approval at the responsible institution of a design for a television building with a total area of at least 7000m2 make the participant eligible for the participation in the competition in line with Clause 9.4.2 of the Brief (the question, in fact, refers to the compliance of the building’s function with the requirements of the Brief)? | A television building with public functions qualifies as a similar object of public importance. | |
| 19. | Should the mentioned design be realized and put into operation at the time of submission of the competition entry or it may also be under construction? | The said design for new construction or reconstruction must be fully developed, coordinated and approved by the Construction Board according to the laws and regulations or by the relevant competent authority in a foreign country or the building permit must bear a note that designing conditions have been met (see Clause 9.4.2.1 of the Brief). | |
| 20. | We ask you to confirm that Article 6 of the Tender Specification refers to the 1st round (and not the 2nd as reported); | Yes, Clause 6 of the Competition Brief applies to the 1st competition round, it is an inaccuracy in the English translation. | |
| 21. | We ask you to confirm that the Sketch Design must be presented both on physical support and in digital format (PDF or JPG) on a USB pendrive; | Yes, the sketch design for the 1st competition round must be submitted on A1-size panels and digitally on a flash drive (as a .pdf and .jpg file). | |
| 22. | We ask you if the Sketch Design (printed and USB pendrive) should be presented in a closed envelope and what should be written on the outside of it; | The sketch design must be submitted in a package which indicates the name of the competition and its identification number, i.e. “Riga Philharmonic”, ID No. RDĪD 2023/5. A sealed envelope with the motto, an explanatory note and a data carrier (with the explanatory note and graphical information saved as .jpg and .pdf files) must be put in the package. | |
| 23. | We ask whether the sketch design envelope should be separated from the Motto envelope; | The motto must be put in a sealed envelope inside the sketch design package submitted for the Competition. | |
| 24. | We ask you to confirm that a closed envelope must be prepared with the number and name of the competition and the words “Disclosed motto” inside the motto chosen, separate and distinct from the envelope containing the design sketch; | Yes, the disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief) must be put in an envelope, which must be sealed and put in the package containing the graphical part of the sketch design competition. | |
| 25. | We ask you whether to complete Appendix 2 to the Competition Regulations for the communication of the chosen motto and then insert it into the envelope referred to in point 4); | Yes, the disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief) must be put in an envelope, which must be sealed and put in the package containing the graphical part of the sketch design competition. | |
| 26. | We ask you to confirm that no further documents should be submitted for the 1st round. | As part of the 1st competition round, the following information/documents must be submitted: Graphical material on maximum 9 (nine) A-1 size panels;Explanatory note;Data carrier with graphical material and explanatory note in .jpg and pdf format;A sealed envelope with the disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief). | |
| 27. | Is the funding for the construction of the Riga Philharmonic secured? | The construction of the RIGA PHILHARMONIC is included in the declaration and action plan of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia. The planned amount of funding for the implementation of the object is 70 (seventy) million euros without VAT, allowing for fluctuations in the price of the project implementation reflecting the current construction prices. | |
| 28. | How many participants have registered? | The Commissioner does not provide such information. | |
| 29. | Is the maximum contract amount mentioned in section 3.6 of the brief allocated for the entire design team or for the lead designer of the competition scheme? | The maximum contractual amount earmarked by the Commissioner for designing and author’s supervision of the Riga Philharmonic (excluding costs of construction supervision) is EUR 3,511,209.00 (three million five hundred eleven thousand two hundred and nine euros, 00 cents) without VAT, which is intended for the designing of the entire object, for the entire design team. | |
| 30. | What is the basis of the size of the main auditorium – 1300 seats, and why was the proposal to adapt the main hall in the congress centre rejected? | The number of audience seats is based on the data of a sociological study performed by the Ministry of Culture. The volume of the existing Main Hall of the Congress Centre does not meet the acoustic requirements of a concert hall, and the dimensions of the stage and backstage do not provide enough space for the symphony orchestra. | |
| 31. | What is the basis of the budget figure of 70 million euros? Is it based on a benchmarking exercise of other schemes and their costs? | The basis of the budget calculation is the comparative analysis of the average cost per square meter of the cultural buildings completed at the time of the announcement of the competition. | |
| 32. | Are there any elevation drawings of the existing buildings? | Please see the elevations in dwg file in the following link: Fasazu_uzmerijumi_DWG_Elevation_drawings_DWG | |
| 33. | Is there a deadline for the registration and is registration a prerequisite for participation? If so, should we use our official email address or the anonymous one for the registration? | Registration for the competition is not a mandatory prerequisite and it has no restrictions. When you register, you automatically receive a link to the competition documentation. An anonymous e-mail address must be created by those who are submitting a sketch design in the 1st competition round. | |
| 34. | The submission of the 1st competition round as we understand: all the design materials need to delivery to the organizer are: 1， One copy of explanatory note 2， A1 panels (maximum 9) 3， Appendix 2 (signed and in a seal envelope) 4， USB saves all digital form the address is: Riharda Vāgnera iela 5, Riga, LV-1050, all the materials in digital form send by email, the e-address is: RF@metukonkurss.lv | As part of the 1st competition round, the following information/documents must be submitted: Graphical material on maximum 9 (nine) A-1 size panels;Explanatory note;Data carrier with graphical material and explanatory note in .jpg and pdf format;A sealed envelope with the disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief). All the above mentioned information must be submitted in one package by 10 May 2023, 5 pm, at the Latvian Architects Association, in Riga, Torņa iela 11 (see Clause 2.8.1. of the Brief). | |
| 35. | The explanation note copy should in A4 or A3 form? | In the 1st competition round it is at the Participant’s discretion. | |
| 36. | “All the submitted documents must be in Latvian or in English. If the Sketch Design is submitted in Latvian, the explanatory note must be written in Latvian and English.” If all the documents (explanatory note and panels) in English, it’s unnecessary a Latvian note again? | If the documents are submitted in English, Latvian translation is not required (see Clause 6.5 of the Brief). | |
| 37. | 6.1.2，Part 2: The motto (a combination of letters and numbers) to be deciphered in a free form, which includes information about the author(s), (prepared in accordance with Appendix 2 to the Brief). The deciphered motto shall be submitted in a sealed envelope. The sealed envelope with the disclosed motto shall bear the name of the Sketch Design Competition, its identification number and an inscription “Disclosed motto”. The envelope must not indicate the author of the Sketch Design.” We can understand that the motto should with letters and numbers, but what’s the means that includes information about the author? And can you help explain what’s the different between the deciphered motto and the disclosed motto here? and what’s the identification number mention here? | The motto must be created at the author’s discretion, i.e. as a combination of letters and numbers that will describe the submitted entry until the end of the competition and which will be published in the summary of the competition results. The disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief) must be put in an envelope, which must be sealed and put in the package containing the graphical part of the sketch design competition. The sketch design must be submitted in a package which indicates the name of the competition and its identification number, i.e., “Riga Philharmonic”, ID No. RDĪD 2023/5. | |
| 38. | In the panels, can we have more drawing to express the design conception (whatever the visualization illustration in other perspectives, or the functional diagram, section and so on). | The way the graphical information of the Competition is presented is up to each Participant of the Competition. Additional information exceeding the maximum number of A1-size panels can be included in the explanatory note. | |
| 39. | Is possible have the hand-drawn sketch in the panels or the explanation note? | Yes, it’s possible. | |
| 40. | Can you help explain this part more? “4. If the Jury does not select any Sketch Design as practicable, first place may not be awarded. Without awarding first place, the Jury has the right to decide on the further use of the Sketch Designs awarded second and/or third places.” | Clause 211 of Cabinet Regulation No. 107 of 28 February 2017 Procedure for Organisation of Procurement Procedures and Sketch Design Competitions among other things, stipulates: “Where the jury commission does not recognise any design as implementable, it shall not grant the first place”. The second/third place may be developed with certain adjustments. | |
| 41. | Are Architects Licensed in India eligible to participate? If NOT, do we have to partner up as secondary team members lead by an architect licensed in an EU or EEA nation? | The design competition is open and any certified architect can take part in it. At the same time, we draw your attention to the fact that architect’s profession in Latvia is a regulated profession, it means that the qualification must be recognized before architects can provide their services in Latvia. The said area in Latvia is regulated by the Law on Regulated Professions and Recognition of Professional Qualifications LV: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/26021-par-reglamentetajam-profesijam-un-profesionalas-kvalifikacijas-atzisanu EN https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/26021-on-the-regulated-professions-and-the-recognition-of-professional-qualifications, its Chapter II specifies the requirements for education and professional qualification in the regulated professions in the field of architecture and construction. The foreign architect must meet the education and professional qualification requirements for the performance of the relevant professional duties in the country where the specialist is registered, and if a procurement contract is concluded with the winning Participant of the Competition, the relevant specialist must submit a declaration of temporary provision of professional services in a regulated profession in the Republic of Latvia to the institution recognizing the qualification. The said procedure for provision of temporary services applies to persons whose home country is an EU member state or a member state of the European Free Trade Association and whose country of origin of the services provided is an EU member state or an EFTA member state (namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Persons from other countries must undergo full qualification recognition via the general professional qualification recognition system (also in cases where these persons will provide professional services in Latvia temporarily). | |
| 42. | Do we have to send physical prints mounted to the organising office in Riga? | Printouts on A1-size panels must be submitted to the competition. | |
| 43. | Is only Digital Submission sufficient for the 1st stage of the competition? | No, it’s not sufficient. | |
| 44. | Questions regarding the brief’s documents: – In the file called 5- Planning material / Cadastral Survey of the building, we have Dwg Files, but the title/function of each room in the existing is not mentioned. Is it possible to have in each room the English function? – All the feasibility study made by NAMS ARKITEKTU (plans) is not translated and it is difficult to clearly understand the new functionalities anticipated by Nams. Is it possible to have all titles and functions in the plans translated in English? – Due to the lack of titles/functions, we don’t understand where is the “courtyard” mentioned several times, and in which we should possibly create an extension. – Can we have some interior photos from the extension part built around 1999-2000? – In the brief, there are some pictures of the existing building with a magnificent and huge suspended lighting in the middle of a hall. But in the specific and detailed set of photos, the lighting has disappeared…where is it? – We didn’t see any plans and sections of the basement parking. Is it possible to have them in dwg files? – Can you give some goals regarding the basement parking, linked to the new Philharmonic: 1/ the number of car parking you need, 2/ the number of buses parking (if needed in the basement), 3/ the number of mottos parking and 4/ the number of bikes parking. | – please see the translation of the names of spaces in the following link: Kadastrala_uzmerisanas_lieta_Cadastral_survey – please see the English translation of the legend of the rooms in the following link: Kadastrala_uzmerisanas_lieta_Cadastral_survey The Participants of the Competition should understand that the firm SIA “NAMS” has only carried out an analysis trying to ascertain whether it is possible conceptually for the building and site of the Congress Centre to accommodate all spaces required by the concert hall. The list of the required spaces by the RIGA PHILHARMONIC has been updated and does not completely coincide with the list of the required spaces for the analysis of the suitability of the building. | |
| 45. | Questions regarding the urban regulations: – Can we know the maximum height of our extension on the building, which is probably fixed in the urban regulation concerning the district and/or the city of Riga? – Can we also know the maximum limits for our extensions on the south, east, west, and south? We only have the 25.00 meters that we need to keep between our facades and those from the Ministry, but it seems that we don’t have any other limits mentioned. – Linked to the questions above, is the “limits of our plot” the same than the “boundary of the competition object”? | Please see the answer to Question 16. -25 m is a protective belt that does not determine the distance to the new building. The distance between buildings must be determined respecting the Latvian Building Standard LBN 201-15. – within the boundaries of the plot of land with cadastral number 01000100121; | |
| 46. | Questions regarding the functional brief: – Do the 13000 seats mentioned in the brief include the organ balcony behind the stage? – We got a set of feasibility dedicated to the main hall and the secondary hall, but how can understand the one which is preferred? It seems that there are no hierarchy between them. – Concerning the basement parking’s exits, it seems to be a contradiction between several documents: in one document (the main brief), the exit on Valdemara is mentioned as only an “emergency exit”, but in other documents it is mentioned as an entrance. Can you clarify? – On page 68 in the brief, there are 3 halls which are specified: the Main Hall, the Small Hall and the Multifunctional Hall. But in the Appendix 1 (list of rooms) the multifunctional hall is not mentioned. Why? Can you give the same level of detail, specifications, and areas for this hall? | – there are 1300 spectator seats in the Main Hall; On the stage, there must be 3-4 rows for the choir and a place for the organ. – the competition entry must include the Main and the Small Hall, both have a high priority, the difference is only in terms of the number of spectators and the building volume; – there is one exit (pyramid) towards Kr. Valdemāra iela. The initial exit from the underground car park into Kr. Valdemāra iela is closed. The only entrance/exit to the underground car park is from Kalpaka bulvāris. Please see the attached inventory plan and dwg drawing of the car park in the following link: Pazemes_autostavvieta_Basement_parking On the list of required spaces, item A 4 is a multifunctional space with an area of 200 m², intended for master classes of musicians, lectures, press conferences, etc. | |
| 47. | We check the provided DWG drawing: Folder_ appendix_7-5_planning_material, can we have the dwg. drawing of the facade also, it’s critical and helpful to build the model of the existing building. the accuracy of point cloud modeling is insufficient. | Please see the higher resolution point cloud in the following link: Punktu_makonis_Cloud_modeling |
Published 29.03.2023
| 1. | Is the stated fee of EUR 3,511,209.00 for Architecture only? Or does it also include other disciplines within the design team, for example engineering, mobility planning, Acoustics, lighting etc.? | The maximum contractual amount earmarked by the Client for designing and author’s supervision of the Riga Philharmonic (excluding costs of construction supervision) is EUR 3,511,209.00 (three million five hundred eleven thousand two hundred and nine euros, 00 cents) without VAT, which is intended for the designing of the entire object, for the entire design team. | |
| 2. | Is it possible to send the other appendices (online I’ve found only appendix 1 – included in the brief, and appendix 7 – download link). We didn’t find appendices No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. | The competition documentation with all appendices is available at the following links: 1. https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/94657 (see section “”Current” documents”) 2. Link to all competition documentation in Latvian: https://riga.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/ID_iepirkumu_dok/Eh9eeLLSXvlHumbMAdH65EgB-uKD61xUqZvXnpdPA1sOcA?e=1EUV56 3. Link to all competition documentation in English: https://riga.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/ID_iepirkumu_dok/Eut1uEIBKLFIiAsJ8ZIw3ucBBGJgBC97RSLPMgbT_CMauA?e=4fsL3c | |
| 3. | Is there a guideline, on which the construction costs have been estimated? Do we have a tool to verify if the estimation is realistic? | The planned amount of funding for the implementation of the object is 70 (seventy) million euros without VAT, allowing for fluctuations in the price of the project implementation reflecting the current construction prices. | |
| 4. | Is there detailed scope of the following services? In the brief, there’s only stated that the Contractual amount, with a maximum value of 3,511,209, – EUR would cover Designing and author’s supervision, with no more detailed description (estimated length, project stages). | Please see the content of the construction design in the letter appendix 1. In the 2nd competition round, the applicant must indicate the approximate time for the elaboration of the construction design without expert examination. The client carries out planning and expects that the designing works will be carried out within 18 calendar months at the latest. | |
| 5. | The question is about “registration” – must anyone who plans to participate in the competition register? | No, you don’t need to register. | |
| 6. | The height of the building is allowed to change. So what is the maximum height limit of the building after renovation? | The National Heritage Board (NHB) states that neither the Law on the Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga, nor Cabinet Regulation No. 127 of 8 March 2004 “Regulations for Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga” do not specify the maximum permissible height in meters of new buildings, as well as buildings to be rebuilt. The aforementioned legal acts require the integration of a new building or a building to be rebuilt into the urban environment, in terms of shape, scale and materials used. The NHB states that in this particular case, for a nationally significant cultural building, which is built in the public interests, an increase in height would be permissible if it derives from the functional logic and does not negatively affect the historic urban environment from the characteristic vantage points. Therefore, in this case, determining the maximum height in meters is not relevant, but attention should be paid to the integration of the building into the historical urban environment after its reconstruction. The requirements for preserving all the values of the historic centre of Riga as a UNESCO world heritage site must be observed. Height limits of the buildings in meters are determined in the Spatial Plan, the control of which is ensured by the responsible services of the municipality. | |
| 7. | Are there any requirements for anonymous codes (number, types of characters, …) | The motto must be created at the author’s discretion, i.e. as a combination of letters and numbers that will describe the submitted entry until the end of the competition and which will be published in the summary of the competition results. | |
| 8. | Question about the Presentation of the sketch design for the 1st competition round: We understand that the Submission contains Graphical material 9 A-1 size. Are there any other sections needed to submit? We are confused with this information: The document is named “Riga-Philharmonic-Competition-Brief-and-designing-programme_sm”. There are two parts 6 and 7, that have the same name: PRESENTATION OF THE SKETCH DESIGN FOR THE 2nd COMPETITION ROUND“. Can you propose an explanation? | As part of the 1st competition round, the following information/documents must be submitted: – graphical material on maximum 9 (nine) A-1 size panels; – explanatory note; – data carrier with graphical material and explanatory note in .jpg and pdf formats; – a sealed envelope with the disclosed motto (completed form of Appendix 2 to the Brief). All the above-mentioned information must be submitted in one package by 10 May 2023, 5 pm, at the Latvian Architects Association, in Riga, Torņa iela 11 (see Clause 2.8.1 of the Brief). | |
| 9. | Question about Room program: G18 – Car park for employee and other cars. Whether G18 can be in the Underground Parking (Kronvalda Park Shared Parking) or is it required to be in the basement of the building. | Parking spaces may be located in the public car park of Kronvalda Park. | |
| 10. | Question about Room program: H1 – Underground car park. We understand that we can propose new direct entrances to the lobby, and service entrance, as well as exits on the ground level of the public open space. The Document also shows that the underground car park should be “rebuild”. Whether we can propose new boundary? | Yes, it is even recommended to offer an optimised solution for a car park and a delivery transport flow. | |
| 11. | In the point 9.4.2.1 of the document Brief and Designing-programme, a minimum of 7000 m2 of an important public building with the role of promoter of the construction project is required. We believe we meet that requirement with either of our two university buildings in Bogotá, the only question would be whether these are considered a public building. Could you confirm it? | A university building with public functions qualifies as a similar important public object. | |
| 12. | We have a new question about the requirement to be eligible for the 2nd round. Participants are required to have a minimum average turnover of 200,000 euros in the last 3 years. Our question is: in the event that we participate in an alliance with another company, could that amount be the combination of the billing of the two companies? | If you participate in the competition as an association of suppliers, then the average annual turnover of this association of suppliers must be EUR 200,000. | |
| 13. | What type of Large Vehicle/Lorries does the loading bay need to accommodate? | There must be a parking place for Latvian TV and Latvian Radio recording/live broadcast equipment and vehicles on the surface level, near the delivery area (PTS – 2 lorries of LTV + light vans on standby; 2 light vans of Latvian Radio – live broadcast and recording studio). Near the service entrance, there must be parking spaces for VIP cars and artists’ buses and the transport of the concert hall operator. (2 passenger buses, 4 light vans) | |
| 14. | In your Tree Assessment, what does the purple radius of “protective zone of trees of national importance” mean? To what extent does it affect the area’s proposal? | Cutting of trees in the area of the historic centre of Riga may be permitted in exceptional cases. If it is necessary for the project solutions, the author/s of the project must justify the necessity of cutting trees in the explanatory note. The purple radius means an outstanding tree that meets the criteria of a tree of national or local significance and is a tree of scenic value. Significant trees and the territory around the trees corresponding to the area of their crown projection, as well as a 10-meter wide belt from it (measured from the outer edge of the crown projection of the protected tree) are considered specially protected nature territories. | |
| 15. | How has the Car Park area (11041m2) given in Section H of Appendix 1 (the Room Program) been calculated and is this an aspirational area, demanding increasing the car park size? | 11,041 m² is the total useful (carpet) area of the premises of the Riga Philharmonic. Parking spaces must be designed according to an individual calculation. | |
| 16. | In LNSO’s rehearsal room, what does “Stage segmentation in 3 levels should be provided ” mean? | Levels can be created with platforms. | |
| 17. | If my firm is lucky enough to win the first round, is it qualified to enter the second round? | The competition is open and any architectural firm can participate in the 1st competition round. In order to take part in the 2nd competition round, the requirements laid down in the Competition Brief must be fulfilled. | |
| 18. | In order to guarantee the anonymity of the participant, we ask if it is sufficient to send the offer package by express courier indicating a sender that does not correspond to the participant and is not real (e.g. Mickey Mouse). | Applications for the participation in the competition will be received by the coordinator of the competition, who will ensures the anonymity of the entries. | |
| 19. | As the document 5_5_1_ASSESSMENT_OF_THE_ACCOMMODATION_OF_THE_ PROGRAMME demonstrates, the hypothetical new expansion (blue hatches) of the building does not reach the maximum height (24m), what is the maximum volume allowed while expanding? | Please see the answer to Question 6. | |
| 20. | Is there a drawing that reflects the building lines? To what extent can we add area beyond the existing building footprint? | The competition site is a very complex territory, it is a UNESCO world heritage site and a park area, where it is permitted to construct new buildings within the footprint of the existing ones. The assessment of the cultural heritage value of the existing building should also be taken into account. However, it is not an end in itself to stick to the existing buildings and their footprints. The most important thing is to obtain a solution which would allow the building to accommodate the new function and blend well within the historic urban environment. New buildings should be inserted in the urban structure interfering as little as possible with the park scenery. | |
| 21. | With regards to the 3 visualisations required, the views are well defined and provided in your 7_1_photomontage_1st_round folder, which includes the geolocations of each camera. To what extent do we have the creative freedom to adjust each view within the defined location? Or does it have to be like for like? We are talking about aspect ratio, frame size, lens depth of field, time of day and weather etc. | As regards 3 required visualisations, it is recommended to retain the camera’s geographical location, in addition you can offer visualisations from other angles, at different times of the day and use other creative approaches. | |
| 22. | Please clarify if the 3.5 M Euro fee covers architecture only or the entire design team. | The maximum contractual amount earmarked by the Commissioner for designing and author’s supervision of the Riga Philharmonic (excluding costs of construction supervision) is EUR 3,511,209.00 (three million five hundred eleven thousand two hundred and nine euros, 00 cents) without VAT, which is intended for the designing of the entire object, for the entire design team. | |
| 23. | Please confirm that a construction design for a primary school exceeding 7000m² designed and approved qualifies as an important public object (a public building with a total area of at least 7000 m²). | A construction design for a primary school building with a total area exceeding 7000 m² qualifies as a similar important public object. | |
| 24. | We will use the courier to submit our proposal. Could you please provide the details info that the courier will ask: Address: Rīga, Torņa iela 11 (aswe understand) Recipients: the Latvian Association of Architects (as we understand) Post code: please provide Phone: please provide | Latvian Architects’ Association, Torņa iela 11, Rīga, LV 1050, Latvija/Latvia Telephone +371 29480702 | |
| 25. | The folder 7_Photomontage. Should we use all the 4 views in the 7_1 to present our proposal, or we can just choose several from them? And can we have more or other perspective to present? Like the photos in the 7_2, or other perspective not provided in the folders. | The views and angles of photomontages/visualizations must be submitted from the required vantage points, in addition you can offer visualizations/photomontages from other angles, at different times of the day and using other creative approaches. | |
| 26. | According to the competition brief, clause 9.5, can we understand that: The participant of the competition can rely on another person/company/organization to meet the requirements of 9.3.2, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, but unnecessary have them as part of the participant or the association, just need to provide their confirmation. | The Public Procurement Law allows the applicant to rely on the economic and financial, as well as technical and professional capacities of other persons, regardless of the legal nature of their mutual relations (the applicant and other subjects) (Section 45(8) and Section 46(5) of the Public Procurement Law, respectively). However, if the applicant relies on the capacities of another person, it is the applicant who must prove to the client that he/she will have the necessary resources at his/her disposal (the Public Procurement Law does not specify concrete documents that can be used to prove the type of legal nature with regard to the transfer of resources). It should be taken into account that with regard to the criteria of education and professional qualifications or job experience, the economic operator may rely on the capacities of other persons only if such persons will perform the construction work or provide services for the execution whereof the relevant capacities are necessary (Section 46 (4) of the Law on Public Procurement). | |
| 27. | Could you elaborate on this VIP route? Is a separate VIP entrance required to route them to the VIP room? | Places for parking of VIP vehicles must be provided near the service entrance, and there must also be a direct access of cars to the entrance of the RIGA PHILHARMONIC, in cases where it is necessary for special VIP events. VIP seats must be provided with a separate exit to the backstage on the VIP route. A room that can be separated from the ‘green room’, which can be used for both VIP and ‘after party’ needs with a small auxiliary room. The room is located on the route between the service entrance and VIP seats in the Main Hall. There must be VIP seats in the hall with a separate exit to the backstage on the VIP route. | |
| 28. | Regarding the underground carpark, where can we find this item G10? Could you send a direct link to this file? | Please see the files: Pazemes_autostavvieta_Basement_parking 3.1._Topografija_Topography 5.3._ekas_kadastralas_uzmerisanas_lieta_cadastral_surey_of_the_building | |
| 29. | Regarding the underground car park. Does its adaptation to the program include its total reconstruction (addition of levels, demolition, extension…) or is it only an interior readjustment of the existing car park. | If the applicant believes that it is necessary, a complete or partial rebuilding of the car park can be suggested. | |
| 30. | Regarding the program: It is mentioned that C12 / C13 are at stage level, but relative to which hall, the MAIN HALL or the SMALL HALL? What about C14 / C15? | The basic condition is for the stages of the Main and Small Halls to be on the same level mark. C12/C13 refers to the Main Hall. C14/C15 should be placed as close as possible to the exit to the stage. These rooms are intended for guest artists of collaborative projects and must be provided next to the rehearsal rooms of the respective residents. | |
| 31. | Regarding the hall (Main Hall), are there any limits relative to its shape? (shoe box, vineyard…) | The recommended shape is “shoebox”. The user has defined the width and depth of the stage, while the dimensions of the technical room of the organ indicated in the section and the cubic capacity of the interior spaces required for the hall determine the area and location of the lifts to be placed on the stage at the height of the hall. The participants of the competition can change the layout of the seats and aisles of the hall reflecting their idea, and the rows of chairs can also have a radius, but not only perpendicular to the long axis of the hall. | |
| 32. | From 2.2 Planning documents – Regulations on Land Use we understand that any above ground structures and extensions have to be situated within yellow regulation territory. Is this corrected? Could anything be built in greenery (park) territory, for example over underground parking / paved “plaza”. If yes what requirements must be met for above / underground structures? Is there possibility that Planning documents could be changed/adjusted according to competitions results, or this scenario is out of question? | Retention of the footprint of the existing building is not an end in itself. If it is allowed to rebuild a building for a new function and it is planned to demolish a valueless extension that was added later, it is only logical to focus on a new external footprint of the building. It’s up to the architect and his or her skill to find the best solution that would preserve the values of the modernist building, highlight the values of the park and create a new added value, which would manifest itself in the quality of modern architecture. The end result should blend within the historic urban environment and give the building a new type of use in the long term. | |
| 33. | Could you please more specify required minimum width of protective belt around national defence objects. Does it apply fully in all cases? If we measure 25 meters from the outer border of the Ministry building than existing glass extension is partly in this protective belt. Does it mean that in case of rebuilding (replacing glass extension) we need to step back even further to meet this 25m requirement? | The width of a protective belt is determined by law. Activities and construction can be carried out in the protective belt coordinating them with the owner of the protective belt, in this case, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. | |
| 34. | With regard to the design solutions for the public open space, can the existing pyramid elements that serve as a cover for the external entrances to the underground carpark be demolished and replaced? Or should they remain unchanged in the design proposal? | The pyramid-shaped structures can be replaced in the public open space, it is desirable to create a new public open space that will be suitable for the new function, i.e. the Riga Philharmonic | |
| 35. | With regard to the design solutions for the public open space (the square), is it possible to increase and expand the permeable and green area above the underground car park, replacing much of the existing impermeable pavement? | Yes, it is possible. | |
| 36. | With regard to the Explanatory Note, should the content be organized according to the three-paragraph breakdown described in the Competition brief (“1. the concept of architectural and spatial solution and functional zoning; 2. the concept of preservation and interpretation of the existing building substance, namely, vestiges of the previous era seen in the interior/exterior; 3. technical parameters in line with the table in Appendix 8”) or can it be freely developed, according to the preferences and needs of the participant? | The explanatory note can be written freely, at the author’s discretion, however, it must include the technical parameters of the building according to the table of Appendix 8 and the concept of preservation and interpretation of the existing building substance, i.e. vestiges of the previous era seen in the interior/exterior. | |
| 37. | page 69 (11.2.2) The description of stage functionalities in Main Hall refers to “delivery of props to the trap room”. The functional layout scheme does not however mention any trap room. And there is no mention in other paragraphs that the hall would be used for operatic programs with staging and scenery. Please clarify this requirement, if applicable. | Please see the functional schemes in the folder 5_6_FUNCTIONAL_SCHEMES Functional schemes 5_6_9 and 5_6_10 show the stage areas of the Main Hall, trap room and loading area. A group of trap rooms. The user wants to ensure a quick and unhindered exchange of artists, bands etc. and their instruments during the intermissions between the shows. The authors design the area under the stage according to their chosen vision for the delivery of props to the stage – loading from the ground or underground level. The user has not requested the Main Hall to have the functions necessary for full-scale opera performances, including the delivery of props through the trap room. | |
| 38. | page 69 (11.2.2), page 78 (11.3.2) The description of the stage functionality in the Main Hall describe an orchestra pit. There is no mention however in other paragraphs that the hall would be used for operatic programs with staging and scenery. Please clarify if an orchestra pit is expected in the hall, and the projected capacity. | Please see the functional schemes in the folder 5_6_FUNCTIONAL_SCHEMES A lift of the orchestra pit in the context of the RF may be used 1) for creating of an additional level for accommodation of musicians during the concert, by lowering it below the standard stage level. It is not intended to use the orchestra pit, completely lowering it by 2.5 m or more, as it is common at opera performances. 2) for fast relocation of the first 5 rows of chairs in the hall, 3) for the delivery of musical instruments to the stage level from the trap room. | |
| 39. | Are there any criteria for numbers of letters or numbers for creating the motto? Is there any minimum or maximum length for the motto? Or is it completely free? | The motto must be created at the author’s discretion, i.e. as a combination of letters and numbers that will describe the submitted entry until the end of the competition and which will be published in the summary of the competition results. | |
| 40. | Assuming that the requirements of the programme – 1300 seats in the Main Hall – are fulfilled, a part of Riga’s green area and/or cultural heritage of the existing building must be sacrificed. Which of the following are considered priority for the implementation of the programme by the authors of the designing programme/ the client: a) preservation of the green area; b) preservation of cultural heritage; c) 1300 seats in the hall. | The number of audience seats is based on the data of a sociological study performed by the Ministry of Culture and it must be provided in the competition proposal in accordance with the requirements of the Designing Programme. The author of the design should try to preserve as much as possible of the original substance of the building and its heritage value, both in its external appearance and in the interiors. However, to provide the new function and to ensure a convenient use of the building, reasonable and justified modifications are allowed. | |
| 41. | If it is allowed to reduce the number of seats in the Main Hall, what is the critical number, i.e. the minimum number of seats? | The number of audience seats is based on the data of a sociological study performed by the Ministry of Culture and it must be provided in the competition proposal in accordance with the requirements of the Designing Programme. | |
| 42. | Will all competition entries/proposals that do not meet / change part of the programme requirements, but offer a reasonably more justified solution, be treated as equivalent? | The Technical Committee and the Jury will evaluate the submitted entries against the criteria laid down in the Competition Brief and the requirements of the Designing Programme. | |
| 43. | Do all the residents need direct access to the rehearsal rooms? | Yes, a functional proposal should be as compact and rational as possible. | |
| 44. | Can the building construction pass the water bed level? | The building construction can be built deeper than the level of the canal water bed, but it must not be located in the 10-meter protective belt along the canal. |
In addition, we would like to inform that a translation mistake in English version is being corrected for Appendix 3 “Application for participation in the sketch design competition”.
Please see here:
https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/94657 (see section “”Current” documents”)https://riga.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/ID_iepirkumu_dok/Eut1uEIBKLFIiAsJ8ZIw3ucBBGJgBC97RSLPMgbT_CMauA?e=4fsL3c
Published 02.05.2023
| 1. | According to the room programme in section D3: Latvian Radio Band and similarly D4: Latvian Radio Choir men’s and women’s showers area are both 9 m2, but number of cubicles vary men 8x / women 3x. What is correct: area or number of cubicles? (To accommodate 8 showers, bigger are for men would be needed) | If the question is about showers, then according to the room programme: D2/D3 Men’s showers, 9 m²: Shared anteroom 2100×2000 equipped with a seamless counter with integrated hair dryers and lighted mirrors, and 2 cubicles 900×900, each with an anteroom of 1200×900, with a bench 600×450 mm in each anteroom of the shower. D2/D3 Women’s showers, 9m²: Shared anteroom 2100×2000 equipped with a seamless counter with integrated hair dryers and lighted mirrors, and 2 cubicles 900×900, each with an anteroom of 1200×900, with a bench 600×450 mm in each anteroom of the shower. If the question is about men’s and women’s wc, then they are determined by calculation. D4 refers to the Production Management Department of children’s concerts. |
| 2. | As per your brief it is necessary to reinforce the parking slab. Is it possible to demolish all the parking slab and to change the final height of it? | The applicant can offer complete or partial reconstruction of the car par, including by changing its height. |
| 3. | Is there a maximum height of the new building? | The National Heritage Board (NHB) states that neither the Law on the Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga, nor Cabinet Regulation No. 127 of 8 March 2004 “Regulations for Preservation and Protection of the Historic Centre of Riga” do not specify the maximum permissible height in meters of new buildings, as well as buildings to be rebuilt. The aforementioned legal acts require the integration of a new building or a building to be rebuilt into the urban environment, in terms of shape, scale and materials used. The NHB states that in this particular case, for a nationally significant cultural building, which is built in the public interests, an increase in height would be permissible if it derives from the functional logic and does not negatively affect the historic urban environment from the characteristic vantage points. Therefore, in this case, determining the maximum height in meters is not relevant, but attention should be paid to the integration of the building into the historical urban environment after its reconstruction. The requirements for preserving all the values of the historic centre of Riga as a UNESCO world heritage site must be observed. Height limits of the buildings in meters are determined in the Spatial Plan, the control of which is ensured by the responsible services of the municipality. |
| 4. | Is it possible to overlap with existing building (Conference Hall)? | The competition site of the Riga Philharmonic coincides with the footprint of the Congress Centre, thus overlapping of the object, or complete or partial integration of the substance of the existing Congress Centre into the new building of the Riga Philharmonic is inevitable. |
| 5. | Is it possible to add an alternative proposal for the project, for example a cavea? | It is up to the applicant with an explanation of the proposed concept. |
| 6. | Is it possible to demolish some internal slabs or part of them of the Conference Hall? | It depends on the solution proposed by the applicant. The explanatory description must justify the reconstruction concept, describing the parts of the object to be preserved and to be constructed anew. |
| 7. | With regard to your answer to question No. 18 of 14 March 2023, we therefore ask you to confirm that after sending the project proposal with the sender’s label (participant in the competition) by express courier, the coordinator of the competition will be responsible for receiving the proposal and removing the sender’s label in order to ensure the anonymity of the participants in the Contest. | Upon receiving the delivered packages, the Coordinator of the Jury will unpack the panels, an explanatory description, a data carrier and an envelope with the motto, removing the sender’s label. Only your motto will be used in the evaluation process of the competition. All correspondence and further information exchange will take place via the e-mail address provided by the participant of the competition. In addition, all information related to the competition will be published on the competition website at https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/ and in the Electronic Procurement System at https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/94657 |
| 8. | Question to 13, Negotiation Procedure o Will the draft of the Procurement Contract be available for review before the Invitation to negotiation will be sent to the first-place winner? o Is it expected that the Procurement Contract will be concluded 10 business days after receiving the invitation, in accordance with 13.7.5.? | – The draft of the procurement contract will be sent to the first-place winner of the Competition together with the invitation to the negotiation procedure and the Rules of the Negotiation Procedure. – If the participant of the competition unilaterally refuses to conclude the Procurement Contract within 10 working days from the date when the participant was sent an invitation to conclude a Procurement Contract, the Commissioner may terminate the Negotiation Procedure or not to conclude a contract with the participant. |
| 9. | Question 14. Copyright. o Is it correctly understood, with a reference to Section 15 (1) (11) of the Copyright Law that, disregarding the Commissioners ownership of the developed designs of the Participants of the 2nd competition, the Commissioner will have no right to further develop or sell the design submitted, without the further involvement of the Participant, unless the design is awarded first-price? o And is it correctly understood that the general purpose of the Commissioners ownership of designs not being awarded the first-price, is to exhibit and promote the competition? | – Under Clause 14.1 of the Brief, all the property rights of the author specified in Section 15(1)(1) of the Copyright Law are transferred to the Commissioner, with the exception of the exclusive right of use of the work specified in Clause 11, which would grant the Commissioner the right to modify the work in any other way. Thus, the Commissioner does not have the right to modify the Sketch Design proposals received in the 2nd round without the approval of the author of the Sketch Design. – Under Clause 14.1 of the Brief, according to Section 15(1)(1-10) of the Copyright Law, the Commissioner has the exclusive right of use of works to the materials submitted in the 2nd competition round, which mainly refers to and aims at the first publication, distribution and exhibition of the works in various ways as necessary. |
| 10. | We would like to know if the submission date on the 10th May at 17.00 is the date of reception of the submission material or the delivery stamp, meaning if we could send the documents on the 10th May even if they arrive on the 11th or 12th or they need to be sent days before to guarantee their arrival on time. | The 10th May is the date for reception of the competition entries. You have to send your entry before to guarantee the arrival on time. For security, I would suggest to send per email the confirmation about the sent entry, so that I can check either the entry has arrived or ask the delivery company for precise arrival time. |
| 11. | Please confirm that statues in the park may be relocated within the territory of the park. | Sculptures can be relocated within the territory of the park. On 8 March 2023, the Monument Board of the Riga City Council decided to relocate the monument to the writer Andrejs Upītis outside the boundaries of the territory of the competition site of the Riga Philharmonic. |
| 12. | Please issue the rules or conditions to be followed in order to improve the existing mooring site where rowboats and motorboats are moored or to relocate it. | The existing mooring site is a 2001 project that improved on the previous 1930s design, offering openness and access to the canal water on a sun-drenched canal bank. The city canal is designed more like a landscape element and water can be accessed is only at rare mooring sites. The mooring site must maintain open water area without clogging it with mooring structures. An inviting and safe environment for access to water and the sun should be created for both boaters and park visitors. |
| 13. | We ask you to ensure access the object by truck from the side of Krišjāņa Valdemāra Street. | In the current situation, vehicles with their mass exceeding 16 tons are prohibited from entering from Kr. Valdemāra Street (the road sign indicates “Weight limit” due to the carrying capacity of the car park covering). As part of the implementation of the Riga Philharmonic project, the organisation of transport flows will be reviewed and evaluated, taking as a basis the prize-winning proposal of the competition. |
| 14. | In § 6.2 concerning the rendering of the first round of the competition, it is stated that: – 3 visualisations of the project respecting the viewpoints of the photomontages in Appendix 7 must be submitted. However, 4 photomontages are transmitted in this appendix 7. Can we therefore choose 3 viewpoints from the 4 proposed? Can we also slightly modify the viewpoints if those communicated do not perfectly highlight the project? | We have asked at least 3 visualisations in the 1st stage, in the 2nd stage at least 5 visualisations are asked. Four pictures are added for the 1st stage, so that you can choose 3 best views for your proposal. You can slightly change the vantage points if the proposed angles do not allow you to fully reflect the idea of your design. |
| 15. | Technical data must be provided that includes the parameters in Appendix 8. These parameters are very detailed. Is it possible to give only the total surface areas built, possibly by large zone, as well as the volume of the rooms, without detailing the circulation. Can you also confirm whether, in the first phase of the competition, only the large project zones (A to H) are to be represented on the plans, without detailing the layout of the premises. | Technical parameters are required to identify whether you have foreseen all the premises required by the Designing Programme. It is especially important to indicate the volume of the rooms/halls where the acoustic requirements must be met. You can indicate the project zones but in a way that the Technical Commission can evaluate them. |
| 16. | Does your answer means that there can be marked the right addressee as the sender on the package (which means that the participant’s name will be there – which is a violation of the terms of the competition), however, your colleague (coordinator) will make 100% sure that this sender is not visible when handing the package over to the ordering party (i.e. he will remove the name of the sender, or stick the name and address of the sender on the package with opaque tape so the anonymity of the sender will be guaranteed? | The coordinator of the competition will receive the entries set by mail and will register them under the mottoes, removing the wrapping paper. Only your motto will be used in the evaluation process of the competition. All correspondence and further information exchange will take place via the e-mail address provided by the participant of the competition. Electronic files also have to be anonymous – the name of the author may not appear in the properties. |
| 17. | We have another question about the requirement to be eligible for the 2nd round. Participants are required to have a minimum average turnover of 200,000 euros in the last 3 years. Our question is: in the event that we participate in an alliance with another company, could that amount be the combination of the billing of the two companies? | If you participate in the competition as an association of suppliers, then the average annual turnover of this association of suppliers must be EUR 200,000. |
| 18. | In your answer to question 32, it is stated that it is possible to build outside the boundaries of the existing building. Can you confirm, however, if the new constructions must remain (except for the parking), within the limits of the plot (represented in blue on the topographic plan)? | However, it is not an end in itself to stick precisely to the existing buildings and their footprints. The most important thing is to obtain a solution which would allow the building to accommodate the new function and blend well within the historic urban environment. New buildings should be inserted in the urban structure interfering as little as possible with the park scenery. Please see also Question 20/Answer of session QA 2. |
| 19. | We would like to send our entry to the appropriate address (the Latvian Association of Architects in Riga, at Torņa iela 11) and would appreciate it if you could provide us with their email address and phone number. This will enable us to forward our submission without any delay. Could you please let us know the contact details as soon as possible? We would be grateful for a prompt response to ensure that our entry is submitted on time. | Latvian Association of Architects, Torņa iela 11, Rīga, LV 1050, Latvija/Latvia Coordinator of the Competition, Ms Dace Kalvāne, Telephone +371 29480702 E-mail: rf@metukonkurss.lv |
| 20. | We would like to express our intention to participate in Stage 1 of the Riga Philharmonic Competition by submitting our entry. However, we would like to request clarification regarding the possible communication process for Stage 2. In particular, we would appreciate information on how the motto and email address will be matched by your team. Do we need to send a separate email disclosing our motto via this anonymous email after submitting our entry? As we have not provided our email address with the required documents for Stage 1, we would like to confirm if there is any way for you to obtain our email address. We kindly request that you provide us with clarification on these matters. | When submitting your offer, please send your e-mail address created for the competition, indicating the motto with which you submitted the competition work, which will also give us the opportunity to inform you that we have received your shipment. All correspondence and further information exchange will take place via the e-mail address provided by the participant of the competition. In addition, all information related to the competition will be published on the competition website at https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/ and in the Electronic Procurement System at https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/94657 |
| 21. | We don’t understand how to anonymize appendixes 3, 4, 5 and 6, because it seems that only appendix 2 must be placed in a sealed envelope. Do we have to put appendixes 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the same sealed envelope than appendix 2? | As part of the 1st competition round, the following information must be submitted: Part 1 consisting of: – graphical material on maximum 9 (nine) A-1 size panels, – an explanatory description (can be in the form of a brochure) illustrating the design concept and technical parameters (in line with the instructions in Appendix 8), – a data carrier (USB flash drive) marked with the motto and containing the submitted sketch design (panels and explanatory description) electronically in .pdf and .jpg formats. Part 2 – a sealed envelope with the motto containing information about the authors, according to Appendix 2. |
| 22. | In the QA session No.2 answer to question number 8, you speak about a “data carrier with graphical material and explanatory note”. Where do we have to put this element? In the sealed envelope? | The data carrier can be put in a separate envelope with the motto or attached to the cover of the explanatory brochure. The information contained in the data carrier must be marked only with your motto, without any other indications revealing the authors of the proposal. |
| 23. | When we deliver paper and digital proposals, should we send our motto via this email for easy match to the proposal package? And will we receive an email confirmation when our package is received by May 10th? | When submitting your proposal (or sending it by mail or by courier), please send your e-mail address created for the competition, indicating the motto with which you submitted the competition entry, which will also allow us to inform you that we have received your parcel. All correspondence and further information exchange will take place via the e-mail address provided by the participant of the competition. In addition, all information related to the competition will be published on the competition website at https://rf.metukonkurss.lv/ and in the Electronic Procurement System at https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/94657 |
| 24. | Would it be possible to add another A1 panel for the rendering of the 1st phase, in order to have larger surface for 3 vizualisations? | Please, stick to 9 panels, as indicated in the Competition Brief. |
| 25. | Does the USB stick have to contain only the A1 panels or can it also contain independently each element represented on the A1 panels? | The USB stick marked with the motto must contain the panels of the submitted sketch design and explanatory description in the electronic format – as .pdf and .jpg files. If you want, you can also add additional schemes and images, however, if the resolution of the attached files (panels and explanatory description) is 300 dpi, then this is not necessary. |
| 26. | Firstly, at stage 1, we understand that we are only required to send Appendix 2 in the envelope. In Appendix 2, there is a section that asks for a “registration number or personal identity number.” If we are from a foreign country, would our company’s merchant registration number in our country be sufficient? Please advise. | Yes, in the 1st competition round, in addition to the graphical material, explanatory description and data carrier with the sketch design in the electronic format, a sealed envelope with a motto containing information about the authors must also be submitted, in line with Appendix 2. It is enough if you indicate the registration number of your company in your country. |
| 27. | According to the Brief, the Participant of the Competition must be registered “in the Commercial Register of Latvia or in an equivalent register in a foreign country if the laws of the country in question so provide”. Could you please advise if there are any countries that are deemed as “incompetent” for this purpose? If so, please provide us with a list. | Under the Latvian public procurement law the right to conclude a contract may not be awarded to an applicant registered offshore. Currently, only one country, namely, the Republic of Panama, is considered to be offshore. At the same time, it must be taken into account that as the war in Ukraine is continuing, many legal and natural persons registered in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are subject to sanctions. Sanctions binding on Latvia do not establish a general ban on cooperation with companies registered in Russia or Belarus. However, each person is responsible for complying with sanctions and performing a risk assessment of sanctions. It is forbidden for persons to purchase goods or receive services from those natural and legal persons against whom sanctions have been imposed implying the freezing of funds and economic resources and prohibition to transfer funds and economic resources to the sanctioned persons. It is forbidden for persons to purchase goods or receive services also from persons who are controlled by persons included on the sanctions lists. |
| 28. | Additionally, you have requested a copy of the merchant’s certificate of registration. Would we need to send this file in the first stage within the envelope, or are all of these files necessary for the second stage? | These documents must be submitted in the 2nd competition round. |
| 29. | In the Competition brief, Part 9.3.2, it is stated that the participant must be registered in “the register of the building companies of the Republic of Latvia.” Furthermore, according to this statement, a declaration is required that, in the possible case of winning the negotiation procedure, we would register in this association. We understand that we have to send this declaration as a part of the second stage. Could you please confirm this? | You must submit this declaration as part of the 2nd competition round. |
| 30. | We are making the arrangements to send over our submission and have been advised by the courier company that we need your EORI Number please. | EORI number is LV40008005792 |