Vilnius has selected the winning design for what will become the city's first purpose-built congress centre, marking a major milestone in a flagship project designed to strengthen Lithuania's position in the international meetings and events market.
The winning proposal, titled "THREE", was submitted by Lithuanian practice IMPLMNT Architects. Once completed, the approximately 31,500sqm venue will feature a 2,000-seat plenary hall, 17 flexible event spaces and facilities capable of accommodating up to 4,500 delegates across multiple simultaneous events.
Located between the Lithuanian Parliament and Geležinio Vilko Street, alongside the Neris river, the centre is intended to enable Vilnius to host international association congresses, corporate conventions and high-level political meetings that the city has previously been unable to accommodate.
The winner was confirmed following the completion of the public procurement process and verification of participants' qualifications. Vilnius will now begin negotiations with IMPLMNT Architects on the design contract for both the congress centre and its surrounding public spaces.
Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius, said the international competition had identified an architectural vision that reflects the city's ambitions.
He said the project would strengthen Vilnius' international profile, contribute to economic growth and open a new section of the Neris riverfront for public use.
Laura Joffė, CEO of Vilnius Development Company, said the quality of submissions had exceeded expectations and welcomed the start of the design phase with IMPLMNT Architects.
“The competition attracted outstanding architectural teams from Lithuania and abroad, and the quality of the submissions exceeded our expectations,” said Joffė. "We are looking forward to working with IMPLMNT Architects as the project moves into the design phase.”
The competition attracted 28 entries, with 17 meeting all procurement requirements and progressing to jury evaluation. "UNFOLD" by Studija Heima finished second, while "FOREST FORUM VILNIUS" by KRS placed third.
Beyond the congress centre itself, the competition also challenged architects to reimagine a publicly accessible section of the Neris riverfront beside a planned pedestrian bridge. The winning proposal integrates the building into the surrounding city while creating new public spaces linking the Parliament district with the waterfront.
Aurimas Syrusas, architect at IMPLMNT Architects, said: "Our ambition was to create a building that becomes a natural extension of the city." He added that the design responds to the Parliament, river embankment and future pedestrian bridge, with fragmented volumes stepping down towards both the river and Parliament to create an open and welcoming public space.
The open international competition launched in December 2025 with a total prize fund of €100,000. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2031.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
