On March 10, 2016, Riga hosted the ceremony where the winners were chosen and awarded with the Annual Latvian Construction Industry Award (“Latvijas Būvniecības Gada balva”). The winners were announced based on the results of the national contest.

FBO RIGA, the center of business aviation, which was commissioned in September 2015, also participated in the contest. 

The jury awarded FBO RIGA in two categories at a time: 

In nomination of New Construction or Modernization — Logistics and Production Centre — the first place was awarded to an hangar of FBO RIGA. In nomination of New Construction — Public Facilities — the third place was awarded a boutique terminal of FBO RIGA.

The award ceremony took place at the Ziemeļblāzma Palace of Culture. Commemorative statuettes and diplomas were awarded to the owners of Flight Consulting Group Roman Starkov and Leonid Gorodnitski, as well as to the general contractor SIA Ostas celtnieks, the project engineer SIA LVCT and the architect of the project Valdis Onkelis.

FBO RIGA Center includes an hangar with an area of 8,400 square meters, which is designed for storage of aircraft and their maintenance, as well as a modern business aviation boutique terminal with an area of 1,200 square meters created both for passenger service and holding premium class international meetings, presentations, and events. The total area of the complex makes 12,000 square meters.

FBO RIGA is a unique project, both in terms of its design and construction. As the center was designed with future needs in mind, it had to meet not only the current needs of the market, but also had to take into account something that customers might want tomorrow. Therefore, when designing and constructing the infrastructure facilities, advanced technologies and best global practices were used. For example, the hangar is unique due to its support-free arched structure with a span of 98 meters carried by reinforced concrete columns. The roof was covered using ultralight and durable Protan coating. The key equipment is mounted on top of the arches: automatic foam fire-extinguishing system, LED lighting, and heating system consisting of instant infrared panels. Other features worth mentioning include Butzbach sliding hangar doors equipped with electronic control and automatic locking systems in case of smoke spread, etc. All this enables the hangar, first, to easily hold up to 5 Boeing Business Jets, or 9 Gulfstream 550 business jets, or 20 Learjet-60 aircraft as its inner area for aircraft accommodation reaches 6,700 square meters; second, to reduce the time needed for each operation and, third, to ensure significant energy saving, and, finally, which is the most important, to ensure compliance of the hangar with the most stringent safety requirements.

FBO RIGA passenger boutique terminal features a unique architectural solution. Due to the irregular shape of the building, the terminal harmonizes with the massive hangar in a way that creates a single architectural motif. 

When developing the project, a modern concept of the boutique terminal was chosen, which implies exclusive services, unique interior design, and exceptional functionality. 

Particular attention must be paid to the interior design in the style of modern classics upon the project by Zane Tetere, one of the most successful designers of Latvia. A perfectly clever geometry of public facilities and sitting areas, natural soft lighting, exclusive finishing with rare woods and stones, premium class furniture made by well-known Italian furniture manufacturers, paintings of famous artists on the walls — all this creates an elegant and at the same time relaxed atmosphere for the passengers waiting for the flight. The ground floor of the building comprises six comfortable sitting areas, two VIP meeting rooms, a bar, and an art gallery. The first floor of the terminal houses a conference room and offices. A separate space is occupied by FCG OPS, a certified 24/7 flight operations control center, supporting more than 90 business aviation aircraft flying daily around the world. 

From the very beginning, FBO RIGA center demonstrated stable development, and in January 2016, the company announced launching of a new MRO line station in conjunction with SOLINAIR, a certified provider of aircraft maintenance services, and in cooperation with Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services.

FBO RIGA is part of the Flight Consulting Group aviation holding.

On March 01–20, all residents and guests of Riga can also see the facilities taking part in the contest: the city center (Līvu Square) hosts a photo exhibition of the participating projects, including the hangar and business aviation terminal of FBO RIGA.

About the Contest: the Latvian National Contest Latvian Construction Industry („Būvindustrijas Lielās balvas”) has been held since 2011. The Contest is organized by such magazines as Latvian Architecture (Latvijas Architektūra) and Latvian Construction Industry (“Latvijas Būvniecība). The Contest is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Real Estate Department of the Riga City Council and the State Inspectorate for Heritage Protection.

For more information about the Contest, please visit the website: www.latvijasbuvnieciba.lv