Textile industry – factories of modernization and innovation

Before the First World War, Kaunas became a military fortress and an industrial center with large metal factories, mainly intended to serve the military needs. However, during the period of independence, the Lithuanian state reoriented the nature of industry and focused mainly on the processing, export of agricultural resources and modernization of such industry. Until the First World War, the textile industry in Lithuania practically did not exist, and all fabrics were imported. As in the case of other industries, the restoration of independence and the strengthening of the local economy have increasingly led to efforts to supply the local market and reduce imports.

 

Author of the photo: Alfred Kuhlewindt. Postcard „Brolių Tilmansų vinių fabrikas Kaune“. Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum; KDFM S 5231. www.limis.lt

 

An interesting aspect of the development of the textile industry is that it was created in Lithuania on a private initiative, with the participation of American Lithuanians and local, mostly Jewish, industrialists. Moreover, textile factories have become significant places of modernization and architectural innovations both in Europe and in Lithuania since the Industrial Revolution. The largest textile factories in Lithuania began to sprout in the second half of the 1930s, mainly in Kaunas and Klaipeda. I was the golden age of the textile industry in Lithuania. It is also important to mention that there was no rush to build new buildings and buy new equipment when starting a business. Typically, used equipment was purchased that was placed in rented disused industrial buildings. “Kauno audiniai” was created on the same principle.

 

Factory interior before reconstruction. Source: Kauno audiniai, 1930–1935. – Kaunas : [s.n.], 1936, p. 14. Photo source: Kauno apskrities viešoji biblioteka. 

 

Sustainable integration in architecture

Silk fabric factory “Kauno audiniai” was established in 1930, in the former corps of the Tilmans` brothers metal factory. In this place various industries began to develop as early as the second half of the nineteenth century.
The place was poorly urbanized and convenient – the river and the railway was near by. The founder of Kauno Audiniai factory was the Latvian Robert Hirsch, who was called the King of Silk in his homeland.

The long and white factory buildings that have survived to the present day are the result of reconstruction that happened in 1938. Before that it was the red-brick buildings reminiscent of the architecture of medieval German cities and castles. But at the end of the 1930s the factory, which had grown significantly, had to be expanded.

 

Factory interior. Source: Kauno audiniai, 1930–1935. – Kaunas : [s.n.], 1936, p. 18. Photo source: Kauno apskrities viešoji biblioteka. 

 

The reconstruction project was prepared by engineer Nikolajus Mačiulskis. This is a great example of the harmonious architectural integration of that time. When designing the building, the engineer cleverly used the existing building of the L-plan, increasing it by one floor, but the internal structural system, the rhythm of the windows did not change. The metal beams and columns from the nineteenth century can still be seen live. The red brick masonry on the outside was replaced by white plaster, the horizontalness of the building was emphasized by the windows, the strips and the flat roof. The corner of the building is highlighted by a vertical staircase block.

As in most cases between the wars, the image of the modern factory was not only perceived, but also actively used as an advertisement for the factory itself.

 

Advertising poster. Source: Naujoji spaktyva. – 1939, Nr. 2. Photo source: Kauno apskrities viešoji biblioteka.

 

One of the reasons for the success of the textile industry was the concern of business owners for their employees and general well-being. Rest houses were established for the workers of the factories, after-school activities were organized for children, factories supported the theater, teams of athletes, artists, and part of the profit was used for advertising. Kauno audiniai also paid special attention to aesthetics and fashion – samples of silk materials were exhibited in the factory windows, and the walls of the factory were decorated with works of art.

 

Drawing of the factory. Source: Kaunas. – Praha: Europos miestų statyba ir tautų ūkis, 1938, p. Photo source: Kauno apskrities viešoji biblioteka.

 

The factory also operated successfully in the post-war period. Sadly, the company began to fail after Lithuania regained its independence. It was privatized and in 2005 liquidated. In 2007 “Akropolis” shopping and entertainment center with an area of ​​more than 78,000 square meters was built on the territory of the factory, which is no longer in operation. The new commercial giant still houses not only new, but also historical buildings of the Tilmans, Liteksas and Kauno audiniai factories. Today, they are home to commercial and entertainment spaces.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Sources of information:

M. Drėmaitė, „Progreso meteoras. Modernizacija ir pramonės architektūra Lietuvoje 1920–1940“. Vilnius, 2016 m.

Laikinosios sostinės tekstilės pramonė. Kauno apskrities viešosios bibliotekos teminė leidinių paroda.

Photos by Ž. Rinkšelis, 2020.

A Modest “palace” of the company

Apparently, the office of one of the largest cooperatives in Lithuania, which had a very significant impact on the economy of independent Lithuania, seems a bit modest. Especially when comparing it with the offices of “Pažanga” or “Pienocentras” companies in Laisvės Avenue. However, the “palace” of the company was considered to be a real decoration of Vytautas Avenue.

“Lietūkis” was a center of cooperatives, uniting one and a half hundred trade cooperatives with about 25,000 members. The Union was established in 1923 and operated until the occupation of Lithuania and liquidation in 1940. “Lietūkis” has made a significant contribution by exporting farmers’ products, providing cooperatives, and through them it supplied foreign and local goods to its consumers. The Union of Trade Cooperatives started its activities with 2.6 million Litas turnover and developed to 139 million Litas in 1939. “Lietūkis” had 23 large warehouses-divisions of goods, through which it supplied the existing cooperatives, stores, elevators and mills around them. Grain shops operated all over the country. This organization took care of the export of eggs, butter, flax, linseed, grain. Imported mineral fertilizers, salt, agricultural machinery, cement, oil, sugar, iron, consumer goods.

 

Photo source – Kaunas City Museum: Jokūbas Skrinskis; Fotonuotrauka iš J. Skrinsko albumo „Kaunas“. „Lietuvos žemės ūkio kooperatyvų sąjunga „Lietūkis“, įsteigta 1923 m.“; KMM KMM GEK  10837/41; Kauno miesto muziejus; www.limis.lt

 

Architect in Kaunas of Latvian origin

The representative building of the organization in Kaunas was designed by the architect of Latvian origin Karolis Reisonas. In 1920 he came to Lithuania and worked in various cities. In the 1930s, as soon as he started working in Kaunas, K. Reisonas prepared the project of the “Lietūkis” company. It is an administrative building of the organization, the main façade of which has a clear eclecticism typical of the Šiauliai period: symmetry of the plan, arched windows, decorative details. The architecture of the building could be described as modernized historicism. True, the facade of the yard is much more modern than the representative “face” of the street. This building also had a commercial ground floor and apartments, one of which housed the architect himself. K. Reisonas was also the head of the construction department of the Chamber of Agriculture in Kaunas and a construction consultant of the Ministry of Agriculture, therefore he contributed a lot not only to churches, but also to the construction and design of such “earthly” buildings as: Žėmės bankas (Lands bank), Chamber of Agriculture, “Lietūkis” Warehouses. He also published the first Lithuanian construction textbooks “Agricultural Construction” and “Clay Construction”.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Photos by Ž. Rinkšelis, 2020.

Movie theatre of the first times

This was the first building built especially for a movie theatre in Kaunas. Although cinema in Kaunas was not new before, from 1907 to 1926 it was not shown in buildings built specifically for cinemas, but only in buildings adapted to them, usually in various halls. Often, they did not meet even the basic requirements for such buildings: they were not well ventilated, they did not meet the requirements of hygiene and fire safety. Therefore, the “Odeon” movie theatre built in Laisvės avenue was considered not only the first, but also the most modern in Kaunas at that time. The first sound film was also shown here. The first symphony orchestra, conducted by Isaac Wildman-Zaidman, played in the theater. And in 1936 the first 3D film of Metro Goldwyn Mayer “Audioscopiks”, was also shown here.

 

Main hall of the movie theatre. Photo from the archive of The Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum.

 

Changes in time

The building opened its doors to audience in 1926. The cinema was cozy and comfortable, so it quickly became a favorite place for leisure. However, in the period from the end of construction to the Second World war, the building was reconstructed twice: in 1936 and 1939. This was due to various reasons: amortization, material difficulties, as well as construction defects. After the reconstruction in 1936, the name of the cinema was changed to “Glorija”. The cinema also operated successfully after the war. It was named “Baltija” and later “Pionierius”. In 1960 The Puppet Theater was located in the building, which still operates here.

Main hall of the movie theatre. Photo from the archive of The Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum.

Architecturally, the building was also different from other movie theaters in the avenue. It was restrained, unencumbered by decor, and his architectural expression was created by the play of different volumes and window frames. True, this was not a primary idea, as the surviving design drawings testify to the efforts to apply to a much more ornate, classical form of architectural language, which was apparently constrained by the budget.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Sources of information:

Virtual exhibition of The Lithuanian Theatre, Music and Cinema Museum, 2020. 

V. Petrulis, Kaunas National Puppet Theatre (previously movie theatre “Odeon”). Data base of Architecture and Urbanism Research Centre.

Office of the Catholic youth organization

The Lithuanian Catholic youth organization “Ateitininkai” was formed before the First World War. A decade later, in already independent Lithuania, this movement became an organization that was active in the country until the occupation. Ateitininkai eventually became the most popular youth organization among schoolchildren and students, and also brought together senior graduates. It also encouraged the formation of various other organizations related to the Lithuanian Catholic Church.

The intelligentsia, which created the ideological basis of the organization, was actively involved in the activities. The organization was led by famous philosophers, writers, politicians and other public figures.

 

First design project of the building. Architect F. Vizbaras, 1930s. Source: Kaunas Regional State Archive. Online source: Ateitininkų rūmai. Architektūros ir urbanistikos tyrimų centras (AUTC).

 

One of the principles of the federation – sociability – was implemented through active participation in the cultural, social and religious life of the society, organizing mutual assistance and education. All these features were planned to be embodied and implemented in the organization’s headquarters and its architecture.

 

A “Square Box” style

Knowing the organization and its ideological principles, as well as drawing attention to the fact that the building was built in the 1930s, it is not surprising that the first design project was featured with neo baroque features. However, the history of the building and its current image reveals the interesting views and creative principles of two different generations of architects. For unclear reasons, few years later after the construction it was decided to repair and to modernize the building. The reconstruction was finished in 1933. The author of the reconstruction was engineer A. Šalkauskas. The first architect of the building was extremely critical of the modernization, calling it a “square box” style.

 

The building in 1940s. Photo by J. Stanišauskas. Source: Kauno apskrities viešoji biblioteka.

 

After adjusting the project, the savings were allocated for the construction of an additional – fifth floor. Various functions were concentrated in the building after it opened its doors: a student canteen was installed in the basement, the profitable first floor was rented for commerce (there were large windows for shops), a large event hall was located on the second floor, a primary school, various editorial offices, a bookstore, and a student dormitory on the upper floors.

At the beginning of the occupation, the activities of the organization were declared anti-state, and the property was nationalized. After the war, the building was used by Kaunas University, and later by the Polytechnic Institute. Now they are home to the Culture Center of Kaunas University of Technology.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Sources of information:

Kaunas Architectural Guide. Vilnius, 2017.

V. Petrulis, Ateitininkų sąjungos rūmai Kaune. Architektūros ir urbanistikos tyrimų centro duomenų bazė.

Photo by Ž. Rinkšelis, 2016.

The printing house that was turned into a University

This is the first large state edifice built during the period of national independence (1918–1940), the first to be built as a result of an international bidding competition, and the first designed by a foreign architect. The German architect`s victorious design was amended by specialists from the Lithuanian Reconstruction Commision and the Berlin company (Becker-Fiebig-Bauunion) that executed the construction.

 

 

Grand Palace of the University, 1930–1935. Photo by Kaunas University of technology Museum.

 

In 1929 the building was turned over to the Kaunas university (given the name of Vytautas Magnus University in 1930). The redesign was created by the architect Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis, who transformed the industrial spaces into compartments according to the corridor system. In the Gediminas Street part a portion of the building was occupied by the Ministry of Education.

 

Vytautas Magnus University, between 1930–1940. Postcard.

 

The building is of an asymmetric L-shape plan and consists of two corpuses. The architectural expression is reserved and plain. The strictly rectangular spaces make up a clear constructive composition whose monotony is constituted by uniform elements arrayed in a uniform rhythm. The intersection of streets and buildings is accented by a corner exit/entry with a solemn staircase covered by a rounded balcony of similar form. Those contemporaries who were promoting the quest for a uniquely Lithuanian architectural style held this building to exemplify a type of German classicism that was alien to Kaunas.

Photos by: Ž. Rinkšelis and R. Kilinskaitė (“Ekskursas”).

The courts and the Parliament used to sit here, but now it is a palace for music

This state building was finished in 1929 and housed the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Tribunal, as well as various judicial services. That is why the top of the building’s colonnade was embellished with the inscription: “JUSTITIA EST FUNDAMENTUM REGNORUM” (“Justice is the foundation of the States”). Unfortunately, this inscription did not survive to this day… It was later decided to place the Parliament here, which began its work here in 1936. When the Soviet occupation started in 1940, the building was nationalized. Many offices were placed here: Navigation Board of the Ministry of Waterways, the Design Bureau and the Puppet Theater. The Philharmonic also moved into the building in 1961.

 

Ministry of Justice [postcard], 1929–1935, Kaunas.

 

In 2006 By decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Kaunas Branch of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic became an independent concert institution – Kaunas State Philharmonic. In 2005 reconstruction of the building was started, which lasted for three years. Under the original design, the hall was illuminated with natural sunlight through skylights. The ceiling structure is preserved, but now it is equipped with electric light, which can illuminate the hall at any time of the day. Another new highlight is the glass terrace overlooking the yard.

 

Unknown author. New Year illumination of the building of the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice (now Kaunas State Philharmonic). 1918–1940, Kaunas. KMM F 269, Kaunas City Museum.

 

State Representative

It is one of the few buildings specially designed for state institutions in the interwar period. These few examples reveal to us how the state sought to represent itself in architectural spaces. First of all, the palace is characterized by “official style”, common to buildings of state institutions. Also vivid art deco architectural elements reflected the general trends and fashions of that time not only in Lithuania but also in Europe. But the aim was not only fashion, the state sought to represent it`s national culture: the capitals of the lobby columns are decorated with folk carvings, the base of the columns are surrounded by folk band ornaments, the Gediminas columns are at the top of the main stairs. The Ministry of Justice and the Parliament building is undoubtedly the largest and most prestigious object designed by architect E. Frykas.

 

Caricature: „Diena“, 1934-12-16, p. 1

 

A witness to political history

Between 1934 and 1935 in this building there was a trial of Nazis from Klaipėda District (Neumann-Sass case).  A total of 126 persons were charged, with their alleged offences extending over a wide range of crimes, including murder, attempted murder, conspiring against the state, and keeping illegal weapons. This trial had a profound effect on relations between Lithuania and Germany. Throughout its duration, Germany conducted a relentless large-scale anti-Lithuanian campaign. Abuse, smears and outright lies were broadcast non stop from Berlin to the entire world. From the outset, the German Government also resorted to Lithuania’s economic repression. The Germans imposed a high customs tariff duty on all Lithuanian agricultural imports; then, at the end of 1934, Germany cancelled all trading treaties with Lithuania. The small republic of Lithuania was hit severely, but did not give in. In 1936 the last Parliament (convened after a 10-year hiatus) began its work here, having prepared the last constitution of the State before its occupation.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Photos by MB „Virmalda“ (http://virmalda.lt/), 2011 and „Ekskursas“, 2016.

Dentist’s house

Modernist twentieth-century rhetoric often mentioned essential concepts such as hygiene, cleanliness, natural light, fresh air, and open spaces. Many of them applied not only to architecture, but also to lifestyle norms in general:

“Snow-white teeth and a pleasant mouth odor guarantee you success. By systematically using Florance’s Miradont paste, you will achieve your goal. Miradont paste has been improved with the latest technical and hygienic words.”

This is just one of many fragments of interwar advertising that appeared in the Lithuanian press at that time. Numerous young women and men in the ads seduced the customer with world’s most beautiful hair, teeth, skin, smile, socks, shoes, suits, shaped the needs of consumers and called for constant care for their image.

 

Illustrations from the interwar newspappers. Source: „Tarpukario Lietuvos reklama“ (sud. Ramūnas Minkevičius), 2015 m.

 

Therefore, it seems that there was no shortage of work for the character of our story – dentist Janina Rožanskienė (1897–1983). She was one of those tireless interwar Lithuanian women engaged not only in work practice, but also in active social activities. Janina belonged to the Lithuanian Dental Association founded in 1932, and in the house built on A. Mickevičiaus Street in 1939 she not only lived, but also practiced as a private dentist. No less interesting is the fact that the doctor took care not only of the beauty of her patients’ mouths, but also of the representation of the street where the house stood. The widely documented request of the owner to plaster a wooden house, that stood on the site of the present house before, has survived in historical documents. The owner argued that the street is one of the most representative in Kaunas and its’ buildings are what makes it look even more beautiful. Although there were dozens of brick buildings on this street, there were still many wooden houses. So she stated that she would like to contribute to the work of beautifying the city by plastering the house that belonged to her.

 

Facade of the building, arch. A. Jokimas, 1939. Source: KAA, f. 218, ap. 2. b. 4802, l. 34. Photo source: Architektūros ir urbanistikos tyrimų centras. 

 

However, in 1939 she decided to build a new brick four-storey house. The house housed seven luxury apartments with rooms for maids. But, unfortunately, it did not last long. After the occupation and the war, Janina Rožanskienė left Lithuania and settled in America, Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where she died in 1983. Meanwhile, the doctor’s house still stands in Kaunas, on the same A. Mickevičiaus Street, as if a silent witness to the owners’ efforts not only to care for patients’ teeth, but also to take care of the beauty of the city streets.

Text by Žilvinas Rinkšelis

Photos by Ž. Rinkšelis, 2019.

In 1921 The American–Lithuanian Trade Company (“Amlitas”) was established. It is considered to be one of the major players in the development of inter-war Lithuania motoring and transport. The company, which at the beginning was specializing in the sale and repair of cars and tractors and their parts, later expanded its activities to collect Amlit bicycles adapted for the Lithuanian provincial roads, Ford passenger cars, as well as buses for the city of Kaunas.

Source: Apie tuos, kurie pirmieji įveisė Lietuvoje automobilius ir traktorius. Lietuvos Aidas, 1930 birželio 18, p. 9.

Do you know stories associated with this building? – Tell us! This assistance is invaluable for Kaunas and Kaunas District as a contemporary European Capital of Culture 2022 and for those who want to know more about it. Let’s share our stories about architecture!

This is a typical Kaunas administrative building whose structure and composition were set not just by its corner location but also by its two-fold function. The building originally housed all county government offices (Laisvės Ave.) and the Security Department (Vytauto Blvd.).

In 1934 architect Vaclovas Michnevičius designed a neo-gothic church for the Evangelical and Reformed community in Kaunas. However, the decision was made that “the project cannot be built in the form in which it currently is”, since its design did not fit well with its surroundings. A new design was prepared by Karolis Reisonas. The new project kept the layout of the hall on the second and the third floors, but the design represented current modernist trends: had a flat roof, smooth shape and was more functional; narrow vertical windows added greatness to the image of the relatively small church which looks quite similar to its “bigger sister” – Christ’s Resurrection Church which was designed by the same architect.

 

A drawing of the church by architect Karolis Reisonas. Photo source: Architecture and Urbanism Research Centre of Kaunas university of Technology.

 

Money for the construction of the church was collected by the believers’ community and the church was finished in 1940, however, it remained unused by the community due to the Soviet occupation. The top part of the tower was torn down, the building was nationalised and turned into the warehouse for tobacco and alcohol manufacturers. Later it was given for the Ministry of Internal Affairs which adapted it for the use of special (militia) school: a canteen and a sports hall was established. When Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, most of the churches were given back to religious communities, however, this case was different: since the owner of the building was an educational institution, the rules of returning the property did not apply. For nearly 20 more years the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Kaunas was used as a sports hall and a canteen. The believers were allowed to come an pray on Sundays.The church was given back to the community in May 2019.

Text by Ugnė Marija Andrijauskaitė

Photos by E. Kniežauskas, 2017 and Ž. Rinkšelis, 2020.