As construction work continues on the AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) West Vidzeme region client centre in Valmiermuiža, a topping-out ceremony was held on 15 March, with a wreath placed at the highest point of the structure. The celebratory event was attended by staff from the future LVM client centre, as well as management and builders from SIA “Selva Būve”.

“Only by maximising the use of wood in construction can we truly demonstrate a sustainable and climate-neutral approach. Such facilities foster and secure the use of local resources, which automatically means the existence of jobs and income for our own people and budgets,” explains LVM board member Valdis Kalns.

The upcoming client centre in the LVM West Vidzeme region is the third building based on a standardised LVM client centre project, the concept for which was initiated in 2012. The LVM West Vidzeme region client centre in Valmiermuiža will differ from previous projects in terms of site landscaping, building colour tones and slightly in its structure; however, all three will share the extensive use of wood in load-bearing structures, partition framing, and finishing materials both indoors and outdoors. It is planned that over 400 m³ of wood materials will be used in the construction of the West Vidzeme region client centre. To make the building as energy-efficient as possible, solar panels are to be installed on the roof to generate electricity, while electric vehicle charging stations will be set up in the courtyard. Heating for the building will be provided by both a heat pump and a pellet boiler.

“In the 24 years since LVM was founded, the West Vidzeme region centre has changed location three times, so the region's employees are very interested in the progress of the construction of this new, now permanent, client centre. It is a pleasure to see how, since the time capsule was laid in the building's foundations last November, we are already celebrating the topping-out ceremony in March. We hope that work will continue to proceed just as smoothly,” says Vilmārs Katkovskis, LVM West Vidzeme region forest management planning manager.

SIA “Selva Būve” board chairman Rolands Orlovskis is also satisfied with the progress: “It is a pleasure to build a facility that is functional, aesthetic and sustainable. The building will be convenient for staff and visitors to use, and the use of wood in the architecture draws attention to detail and creates a harmonious blend with the surrounding environment. SIA “Selva Būve” is already implementing its third project of this kind. With the impact on the environment in mind, the building is designed to use renewable energy sources, making such a structure energy-efficient throughout its entire life cycle. Previously completed projects have received recognition from industry professionals, which allows us to be proud of our work and gives us inspiration for new tasks.”

The first of the company's client centres to make extensive use of wood in its construction was the LVM client centre in Dundaga, opened in 2017, which was recognised as the “Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2016”. The Zemgale region client centre, opened in 2021, was also built using wood for both structural elements and interior design, combining modern, comfortable design with the benefits of wood as an innovative and environmentally friendly building material. The LVM Zemgale region client centre in Jelgava received the “Latvian Construction Annual Award” in the “Wooden Building 2021” category, as well as 2nd place in the “Most Sustainable Public Building” category in the Baltics.

To promote the use of wood in construction, LVM signed two memoranda of understanding in 2021: with the Federation of the Latvian Forest Industry and the Ministry of Economics. The cooperation aims to promote the production and use of high value-added wooden building materials and products in construction, thereby fostering sustainable building and the growth of the Latvian economy.