Work-friendly environment: renovated spaces in Block D of RSU main building

Newly renovated spaces have opened in Block D of the RSU main building, providing a modern, comfortable and sustainable working environment. Over the course of two years, the premises were fully renovated, building services and windows were replaced, the external walls were insulated, and the climate control systems were modernised.

The path was not an easy one: the construction work took place in a building that remained in use, while the university’s day-to-day operations had to continue, including to ensure that the RSU library remained accessible to students. During the project, more than 20 structural units were relocated, technically complex solutions were implemented, and the organisation of the working environment itself was carefully reconsidered. The total cost of the construction project was EUR 4.5 million, with the renovated area covering 2,960.5 m² and the roof above the library - 915 m². 

Colleagues from the RSU Department of Infrastructure – Director Dainis Zemešs and Vita Mitrofanova, Construction Project Manager at the Construction Project Unit – explain what has been accomplished, what the major challenges were, and how the renovated premises will change the day-to-day environment for RSU staff. 

This week, we opened the renovated premises in Block D. What makes these improvements to the premises so special? 

Zemešs: First and foremost, it took some courage to plan construction work in the RSU main building – the administration and library block – where the noise, dust and disruption caused by construction work have a much greater impact. During the planning stage, we realised that the structural units located in the construction areas would have to be relocated to temporary workspaces. Also, working alongside the construction area would not have been comfortable either – the noise, dust and other conditions caused by the works were incompatible with a proper working environment, so the number of relocated units increased. 

To provide workspaces for the administration, premises were rented on Mellužu iela, every available workspace in the main building was used, and additional modular buildings were located next to the main building. In total, more than 20 structural units underwent relocation.   

Mitrofanova: The construction contract was signed on 26 August 2024. Initially, the construction work was expected to take approximately 1.6 years; however, due to the scale and complexity of the works, the project was completed over a period of two years.  

From a construction perspective, the scale was very extensive. All existing partition walls, ceilings and floors were completely dismantled, leaving only the external walls and column structures. This marked the start of the modernisation of the premises. 

All riser pipes and service systems were replaced, new ventilation, electrical and heating systems installed. The external walls were insulated and new windows installed. Today, the premises have been fully renovated and furnished, and their users have already begun working in the refurbished spaces. 

On the third and fourth floors, the scope of the refurbishment was relatively small; however, all the construction work was closely linked to the renovation on the first and second floors. The building services shaft runs through all floors of the building. Therefore, although the premises on the third and fourth floors were completed earlier, they could not be handed over to their users until all the building services systems had been fully accomplished and adjusted. 

How do the new premises differ from the previous ones, and how will staff feel these changes? 

Zemešs: Staff can look forward to a modern and contemporary equipped working environment. A high-quality indoor climate has been ensured, with particular attention paid to the room acoustics and lighting. 

The aim was to create spaces that are not only visually attractive but, above all, functional and furnished in a variety of ways, where people find it pleasant and comfortable to work. 

Recognising that RSU is growing and developing, we wanted to consider what a modern working environment should look like. We engaged structural units in a previously unfamiliar format of workplace organisation – the creation of an activity-based office. We visited the premises of TET, RIMI, CMB and the State Real Estate Agency in person to understand what solutions might be suitable for RSU. 

We wanted to understand and plan how people would work in these spaces on a day-to-day basis, rather than focusing solely on how the spaces should look. We therefore considered different working situations when people need to concentrate, when they need to talk to colleagues, and when a meeting is required or simply a different working environment is needed.  

A key requirement was a diverse working environment, with furniture in varying designs, communication areas, meeting rooms and lockers for personal belongings. Acoustic comfort, noise reduction, lighting, indoor climate and digital equipment were also essential. Working spaces are designed with plants as well.  

The layout and equipment are as universal as possible, so that a workstation can be used by another colleague when necessary. Due to external circumstances, the reality at present is that a five-day week on site means a designated workplace for each employee. We hope that the environment we have created will continue to be satisfying also in this format and that, in the future, it may allow us to be much more flexible and open to changes in the working environment. 

What are the interior highlights of the premises?  

Mitrofanova: As part of the project, the rooms were also fitted with furniture, curtains and computer equipment. The built-in furniture was installed in stages, as soon as the specific rooms were completed. 

The interior design features light colours, and the flooring provides visual accents, namely, it indicates the functional use of each specific area. 

We believe the end result is successful – modern and visually harmonious spaces have been created, in which all the furniture and interior elements form a unified whole. 

The unique atmosphere of the spaces is created by green plants, wooden finishes and curtains. These elements make the spaces not only functional but also welcoming. 

The acoustic ceiling panels, arranged at regular intervals, not only visually refresh the space but also improve acoustic comfort by reducing sound reverberation time. Simultaneously, they partially conceal the building services in the ceiling without reducing the room’s air volume, which was particularly important in this case. Based on the overall design and unified concept developed for the project, more than five companies were involved in supplying and installing the equipment and furniture. 

Was there any particularly challenging stage during the construction work? 

Mitrofanova: The most challenging work took place in what are now the renovated premises of the IT Department, above which the library’s storage facility was planned. To ensure the necessary load-bearing capacity, the floor structures were dismantled, an excavation pit made, and the building’s foundations, columns and floor structures reinforced. Technically, this was a very complicated stage in a confined space, requiring careful planning of the sequence of works. 

Zemešs: That is why the construction area had to be considered not only in terms of the floor plan but also as a vertical cross-section. The construction process was prolonged by technical and organisational prerequisites for subsequent works. For example, for the commencement of the works on the first floor, it was first necessary to relocate the strategically important main RSU server room. This made it possible to begin constructing the structural elements beneath the library storage facility, while construction of the storage structure and shelving allowed the library hall on the second floor to be vacated, which in turn made it possible to begin the work on insulating the roof of that part of the building. 

One of the most important tasks during the construction work was to ensure that the RSU library could continue operating. Although under restricted and somewhat uncomfortable conditions, the library still remained accessible to students on Dzirciema Street. This required very careful organisation of the work, as construction activities and the university’s day-to-day operations had to coexist within a single building. 

Of course, there were challenges too. Weather conditions caused considerable concern, with several heavy rain showers resulting in damage to the equipment belonging to the library and IT Department. The fire alarm was triggered on several occasions due to dust. Another major challenge during the construction work was maintaining the microclimate on the library’s first floor while work was carried out on the second floor and on the roof, with some of the building services systems undergoing repairs. 

What aspects of sustainable development were considered? 

Zemešs: I believe that improving of the working environment is a strong investment in the university’s sustainability. Accessibility is also important – the environment has been made accessible to people with mobility impairments, by creating a convenient connection between Block D and the library on the second floor. 

A sustainable working environment is not merely about energy efficiency. It is also about air quality, good lighting, acoustic comfort, accessibility and an environment where people feel comfortable. 

In terms of technical innovation and sustainability, it is also worth mentioning the internal insulation of the building’s external walls, which was a challenging task from a thermal engineering perspective. A method for combining insulation materials was developed, which we would also apply in future projects. The windows were also replaced with energy-efficient ones, carefully installed with sun protection and integrated into the window sashes. 

Particular attention was paid to ventilation, including air treatment and the operational efficiency of the equipment. The air-handling units are controlled by CO₂ sensors, which signal when the air supply needs to be increased or reduced. 

In my opinion, a good office is one that you do not have to think much about in your everyday life. It is warm, the air is fresh, there is no unnecessary noise, there is plenty of light, it is comfortable to sit in and work, and there is a place where to talk to a colleague. If all these things work and help people do their jobs well, we have achieved our goal.