Preserving history in architecture
Walking along Rosu Square and Torņa Street in Cēsis, everyone's attention is drawn to the noise of construction work. This year, renovation works at “Konrāda nams”, the “Mācītāja māja” and “Ratu māja”, as well as the construction of the “Draugu nams” should be completed.
The “Konrāda kvartāls” will feature both short-term and long-term rental apartments, as well as spaces for work and events.
Every now and then, archaeologists uncover a surprise while exploring the site, but in the meantime, those responsible for restoring the buildings come up with new ideas. The owners of the “Konrāda kvartāls” invited interested parties to a meeting to share what has been done and to reveal new plans.
The “Konrāda kvartāls” will feature both short-term and long-term rental apartments, as well as spaces for work and events.
Every now and then, archaeologists uncover a surprise while exploring the site, but in the meantime, those responsible for restoring the buildings come up with new ideas. The owners of the “Konrāda kvartāls” invited interested parties to a meeting to share what has been done and to reveal new plans.
Keep the old and use it today
Previously, when the residents of Cēsis expressed ideas about what they would like to see in the “Konrāda kvartāls”, various ideas were voiced, and the most important suggestions are being implemented: a publicly accessible outdoor space, a democratic café, and the main square's function preserved.
Meeting with the townspeople again, archaeologist Oskars Ušpelis reminded that every old town has a compressed history, because the city was once in a limited area. “Archaeology can be done once, but a building can be demolished and rebuilt. What remains are photographs, topographic surveys, finds,” says O. Ušpelis.
By the 19th century, the cultural layer in the “Konrāda kvartāls” had accumulated to about 1.5 meters, in some places higher. It was formed by both economic activity and fires. “In Cēsis in the 18th century alone, there were five or six major fires mentioned in written sources, not to mention small ones,” says O. Ušpelis and adds that now, when digging construction pits for new buildings, what is excavated is taken away, while in the past, they built on top of it.
“Druva” already wrote about the archaeological finds, but at that time a large stone had not yet been found, which, when seen, seems to have been touched by a human hand, but it was not. The stone will be exhibited and can be viewed in one of the buildings in the quarter.
Archaeologists also work in the winter, thawing the frozen ground so they can dig. Information is collected and compiled to be passed down, like the finds, to future generations.
Architect Pēteris Bajārs introduced the new “Draugu nams” and “Konrāda kvartāls”
“I represent a school that looks at things as they are. If there are any layers in a building, we respect them by adding to or improving them,” the architect emphasized and reminded the Cēsis residents that in the 1930s, the owners had ambitions to rebuild two-story houses into three-story ones. “At that time, the owner had enough money for a third of the building. The previous owners had intended the “Konrāda nams” to be three-story, we returned to the two-story composition, because it highlights the classicist architecture. It seems like we are losing a floor, but in fact only five square meters in the roof slope, because the third floor on the courtyard side compensates for it,” explained P. Bajārs and added that the “Konrāda kvartāls” is the most complex project he has worked on so far and he is not afraid to admit that sometimes there is a lack of knowledge.
When the first visualization of the block appeared on social networks, there was concern that the old town of Cēsis was being destroyed. “People are gradually getting used to it. Good architecture is that which is five years ahead of its time. Five years have passed since the first sketch of the “Konrāda nams”,” said P. Bajārs and reminded that Cēsis is a small town with very diverse buildings. “The roof line is jumping, the ridge line of the one-story log house will be the same as the eaves line of the “Konrāda nams”. We have taken the roof ridge from the rectory, it is integrated into the new building. The elements, like small puzzles, form the final mosaic,” the architect explained and emphasized that four buildings with completely different architectural approaches are located in a small square. Wooden buildings are being preserved, the logs of the “Ratu māja” are being prosthetically restored. Then there is the “Konrāda nams”, of which only the walls remained. In the 1990s, there was an attempt to build a basement in the house, a hole was dug, and the building began to slide into it.
The finishing of the “Draugu nams” will feature a material that has not been used in buildings in Latvia before - concrete slowly poured into molds, the next layer of which washes out the previous one and forms a visible layer. The medieval castle wall will be restored and exhibited in the room.
Meeting with the townspeople again, archaeologist Oskars Ušpelis reminded that every old town has a compressed history, because the city was once in a limited area. “Archaeology can be done once, but a building can be demolished and rebuilt. What remains are photographs, topographic surveys, finds,” says O. Ušpelis.
By the 19th century, the cultural layer in the “Konrāda kvartāls” had accumulated to about 1.5 meters, in some places higher. It was formed by both economic activity and fires. “In Cēsis in the 18th century alone, there were five or six major fires mentioned in written sources, not to mention small ones,” says O. Ušpelis and adds that now, when digging construction pits for new buildings, what is excavated is taken away, while in the past, they built on top of it.
“Druva” already wrote about the archaeological finds, but at that time a large stone had not yet been found, which, when seen, seems to have been touched by a human hand, but it was not. The stone will be exhibited and can be viewed in one of the buildings in the quarter.
Archaeologists also work in the winter, thawing the frozen ground so they can dig. Information is collected and compiled to be passed down, like the finds, to future generations.
Architect Pēteris Bajārs introduced the new “Draugu nams” and “Konrāda kvartāls”
“I represent a school that looks at things as they are. If there are any layers in a building, we respect them by adding to or improving them,” the architect emphasized and reminded the Cēsis residents that in the 1930s, the owners had ambitions to rebuild two-story houses into three-story ones. “At that time, the owner had enough money for a third of the building. The previous owners had intended the “Konrāda nams” to be three-story, we returned to the two-story composition, because it highlights the classicist architecture. It seems like we are losing a floor, but in fact only five square meters in the roof slope, because the third floor on the courtyard side compensates for it,” explained P. Bajārs and added that the “Konrāda kvartāls” is the most complex project he has worked on so far and he is not afraid to admit that sometimes there is a lack of knowledge.
When the first visualization of the block appeared on social networks, there was concern that the old town of Cēsis was being destroyed. “People are gradually getting used to it. Good architecture is that which is five years ahead of its time. Five years have passed since the first sketch of the “Konrāda nams”,” said P. Bajārs and reminded that Cēsis is a small town with very diverse buildings. “The roof line is jumping, the ridge line of the one-story log house will be the same as the eaves line of the “Konrāda nams”. We have taken the roof ridge from the rectory, it is integrated into the new building. The elements, like small puzzles, form the final mosaic,” the architect explained and emphasized that four buildings with completely different architectural approaches are located in a small square. Wooden buildings are being preserved, the logs of the “Ratu māja” are being prosthetically restored. Then there is the “Konrāda nams”, of which only the walls remained. In the 1990s, there was an attempt to build a basement in the house, a hole was dug, and the building began to slide into it.
The finishing of the “Draugu nams” will feature a material that has not been used in buildings in Latvia before - concrete slowly poured into molds, the next layer of which washes out the previous one and forms a visible layer. The medieval castle wall will be restored and exhibited in the room.
Values must be understood
Architect Pēteris Blūms has been involved in the renovation of old buildings for years.
“People often think that old buildings should be preserved because the National Heritage Board says so. If they think so, education is to blame,” the architect emphasizes, adding that there are professionals who can read old houses, understand them, know how to help them, and create lasting values. Then there are people who respect them but are cautious, and there are professionals who are afraid of old houses.
“A stone’s throw in the garden of the responsible persons, how much and what they understand by authenticity and to whom it is important. If we enter a house before the reconstruction, we see some old doors, the floors have been repainted many times, the ceiling boards have been painted. Then we must be able to predict what can be preserved, and then authenticity will also be understandable. A house is a living organism, you can only say which place is more authentic than others with analyses. An old house is not a mathematical scheme, it has been formed over time. Each one must be approached differently, because their values are different, preserved, exhibited, and concentrated in different ways. We must also take into account the fact that architects often think in aesthetic, not pragmatic, categories, but beautiful details are not destined to have a long life,” says P. Blūms.
He also reminds us that you can believe that it's real when you want to touch it, when it smells like an old house. In a log house, the ceiling has the greatest capacity for authenticity. It serves its purpose, people don't touch it in everyday life.
P.Blūms' ideas and advice are being taken into account when renovating the rectory at 3 Torņa Street. In 1998, this house was still a protected monument, but it is no longer. “Protection is necessary, but it is often difficult to meet the requirements set by officials who have little experience. If you have understanding and interest in old buildings like I do, then it is not difficult to find the best solution. The “Mācītāja māja” will be preserved, honestly and responsibly, not restored or renovated,” says the architect.
P.Blūms also emphasizes: “I hope that in the future people will be smarter and will understand that the street surface cannot be continuously grown. Similarly, pouring soil and growing flowers on the foundations of a house will ruin the building. The biggest problem for the house at Torņa Street 3 was that there were no drains.”
What are the values that this house reveals, which must be preserved? Research was conducted years ago, and it is known that it was drawn by J. Broce in 1795. It was assumed that it consisted of three parts, but when the masters began to strip the building, it was clear that there was an old and a new part, and two parts were added in the 19th century.
“It is believed that the log building is the oldest surviving school from 1661. There was a school here for 350 years. In 1848, the log building was supplemented with an extension. Each facade of the building is different, which is peculiar,” says P. Blūms and reveals that the layout of the first floor interior has been preserved as a five-room apartment. “The goal is not so much science, but the feeling that when you walk through this house, you feel that there is something special, even though many things are new,” says the architect.
On the second floor, the beams and boards have been cleaned and the ceiling boards will return. The ceilings were low, they were raised a meter to the beams. “The space will be unique, but it is an opportunity to use the old roof structures and boards. It will be a house where antiquity is both preserved and transformed for the 21st century,” says P. Blūms and adds that if the building were an architectural monument, the ceiling would not be allowed to be raised.
“We also want to show that we shouldn't be afraid of old houses. Not only do museums turn historic buildings into something new, if you want to, you can do that, but you can also use them for today's life,” says P. Blūms.
Gradually, the building revealed a log structure hidden for centuries – 25, 27 cm wide boards, a mantelpiece – a surprise to today's people. On the outer wall facing the castle tower, when the plaster and wallpaper were removed, wood carvings were visible at a height of 1.20 m and a length of 2.5 m. Houses, initials, and also gallows. P. Blūms emphasizes that such a find is rare. “Since there was a school here, students probably slept in this room. Wood carvings were also made as high as they could reach with a knife, lying on “cisu” bags. Why were the houses carved? Probably nostalgia for home,” the experienced architect shares his thoughts.
“People often think that old buildings should be preserved because the National Heritage Board says so. If they think so, education is to blame,” the architect emphasizes, adding that there are professionals who can read old houses, understand them, know how to help them, and create lasting values. Then there are people who respect them but are cautious, and there are professionals who are afraid of old houses.
“A stone’s throw in the garden of the responsible persons, how much and what they understand by authenticity and to whom it is important. If we enter a house before the reconstruction, we see some old doors, the floors have been repainted many times, the ceiling boards have been painted. Then we must be able to predict what can be preserved, and then authenticity will also be understandable. A house is a living organism, you can only say which place is more authentic than others with analyses. An old house is not a mathematical scheme, it has been formed over time. Each one must be approached differently, because their values are different, preserved, exhibited, and concentrated in different ways. We must also take into account the fact that architects often think in aesthetic, not pragmatic, categories, but beautiful details are not destined to have a long life,” says P. Blūms.
He also reminds us that you can believe that it's real when you want to touch it, when it smells like an old house. In a log house, the ceiling has the greatest capacity for authenticity. It serves its purpose, people don't touch it in everyday life.
P.Blūms' ideas and advice are being taken into account when renovating the rectory at 3 Torņa Street. In 1998, this house was still a protected monument, but it is no longer. “Protection is necessary, but it is often difficult to meet the requirements set by officials who have little experience. If you have understanding and interest in old buildings like I do, then it is not difficult to find the best solution. The “Mācītāja māja” will be preserved, honestly and responsibly, not restored or renovated,” says the architect.
P.Blūms also emphasizes: “I hope that in the future people will be smarter and will understand that the street surface cannot be continuously grown. Similarly, pouring soil and growing flowers on the foundations of a house will ruin the building. The biggest problem for the house at Torņa Street 3 was that there were no drains.”
What are the values that this house reveals, which must be preserved? Research was conducted years ago, and it is known that it was drawn by J. Broce in 1795. It was assumed that it consisted of three parts, but when the masters began to strip the building, it was clear that there was an old and a new part, and two parts were added in the 19th century.
“It is believed that the log building is the oldest surviving school from 1661. There was a school here for 350 years. In 1848, the log building was supplemented with an extension. Each facade of the building is different, which is peculiar,” says P. Blūms and reveals that the layout of the first floor interior has been preserved as a five-room apartment. “The goal is not so much science, but the feeling that when you walk through this house, you feel that there is something special, even though many things are new,” says the architect.
On the second floor, the beams and boards have been cleaned and the ceiling boards will return. The ceilings were low, they were raised a meter to the beams. “The space will be unique, but it is an opportunity to use the old roof structures and boards. It will be a house where antiquity is both preserved and transformed for the 21st century,” says P. Blūms and adds that if the building were an architectural monument, the ceiling would not be allowed to be raised.
“We also want to show that we shouldn't be afraid of old houses. Not only do museums turn historic buildings into something new, if you want to, you can do that, but you can also use them for today's life,” says P. Blūms.
Gradually, the building revealed a log structure hidden for centuries – 25, 27 cm wide boards, a mantelpiece – a surprise to today's people. On the outer wall facing the castle tower, when the plaster and wallpaper were removed, wood carvings were visible at a height of 1.20 m and a length of 2.5 m. Houses, initials, and also gallows. P. Blūms emphasizes that such a find is rare. “Since there was a school here, students probably slept in this room. Wood carvings were also made as high as they could reach with a knife, lying on “cisu” bags. Why were the houses carved? Probably nostalgia for home,” the experienced architect shares his thoughts.
Discovery: When the plaster and wallpaper were removed, wood carvings were visible at a height of 1.20 m and a length of 2.5 m.
Vidzeme chairs will be on display in the “Mācītājamāja” and will be used on a daily basis. They are being sought throughout Latvia, restored to continue serving. Vidzeme chairs were produced in Latvia until 1940 and the largest number, about a hundred, of craftsmen were on the Vaidava side, in Lenči. P.Blūms also reminds us that there is a mental, psychological need to be aware of the depth and duration of one's place, the foundations of national, local identity.
Pēteris Blūms has researched the history of Torņa Street 3, and these stories will certainly interest more than one person. But he also has an idea for tomorrow to revive the gray old town.
“I was standing in the square opposite St. John's Church, I raised my head and saw an ugly wall. We are used to it, and we don't see ugliness in everyday life. People feel nostalgia for their homes, and it doesn't matter what they look like,” said the well-known architect and added that in such a moment of reflection, the idea arose that the firewall could be painted. It would be a simple way to change the environment. A lot of information can be placed on the wall. “It would not only be a painted plane, but elements of the pride and reality of Cēsis history, which are integrated in terms of content and plot. There could be a reference to the origin of the Latvian flag, because it is not visually visible in Cēsis. Andrejs Pumpurs and the characters of his epic would be here, there could be outstanding Cēsis personalities who have left a deep mark on the region. Of course, all of this can be discussed,” revealed P.Blūms and said that the mural would not contain academic portraits.
The meeting participants supported P.Blūms' idea. The municipality's attitude is also understanding, and negotiations with the building owners are underway.
The old town is gradually revealing the centuries it has experienced. The past and the present, people rich in ideas meet and unite, creating the homes and spaces of the future.
Photo: Pēteris Blūms
Vidzeme chairs will be on display in the “Mācītājamāja” and will be used on a daily basis. They are being sought throughout Latvia, restored to continue serving. Vidzeme chairs were produced in Latvia until 1940 and the largest number, about a hundred, of craftsmen were on the Vaidava side, in Lenči. P.Blūms also reminds us that there is a mental, psychological need to be aware of the depth and duration of one's place, the foundations of national, local identity.
Pēteris Blūms has researched the history of Torņa Street 3, and these stories will certainly interest more than one person. But he also has an idea for tomorrow to revive the gray old town.
“I was standing in the square opposite St. John's Church, I raised my head and saw an ugly wall. We are used to it, and we don't see ugliness in everyday life. People feel nostalgia for their homes, and it doesn't matter what they look like,” said the well-known architect and added that in such a moment of reflection, the idea arose that the firewall could be painted. It would be a simple way to change the environment. A lot of information can be placed on the wall. “It would not only be a painted plane, but elements of the pride and reality of Cēsis history, which are integrated in terms of content and plot. There could be a reference to the origin of the Latvian flag, because it is not visually visible in Cēsis. Andrejs Pumpurs and the characters of his epic would be here, there could be outstanding Cēsis personalities who have left a deep mark on the region. Of course, all of this can be discussed,” revealed P.Blūms and said that the mural would not contain academic portraits.
The meeting participants supported P.Blūms' idea. The municipality's attitude is also understanding, and negotiations with the building owners are underway.
The old town is gradually revealing the centuries it has experienced. The past and the present, people rich in ideas meet and unite, creating the homes and spaces of the future.
Photo: Pēteris Blūms
Published31/03/2025
Sarmīte Feldmane
