Professional Activities (1930–1981) of Latvian-Born Lithuanian Architect and Engineer Karolis Reisonas (1894–1981) in Kaunas

HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION No. 3, Sept. 2019, pp. 35–51 2019/3 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIEShttps://doi.org/10.7250/HESIHE.2019.003

LITHUANIAN ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER(1930–1981) KAROLIS OF LATVIAN-BORN REISONAS

AND ADELAIDE CITIES (1894–1981) IN KAUNAS, PANEVĖŽYS

SIGITAS VLADAS SALADŽINSKAS* Lithuanian Society for Engineering Graphics and Geometry

KRISTINA VAISVALAVIČIENĖ (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania) Summary. The article introduces the professional activities of Latvian-born Lithuanian architect and engineer Karolis Reisonas (in Latvian: Kārlis Reisons; Kaunas Panevėžys

K.1894–1981) Reisonas in the second half of his life – from 1930 in , interwarand Adelaide Lithuanian cities –architecture and his role and in thetogether history with of other Lithuanian famous architecture. Lithuanian architects formed was one a specialof the moststyle prominentof Kaunas creatorsmodern architectureof modern 20th-century in interwar K. Reisonas is the author or co-author of representative buildings in Šiauliai Kaunas period. K. Reisonas worked as Šiauliai City Engineer and , and other Lithuanian cities, as well as in Riga and AdelaideŠiauliai cities. Architect and engineer Head of Municipal Construction Department (1922–1930),Kaunas Director of VocationalPanevėžys School (1926), Consultant of Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture (1927–1928), Head of Construction Department of Municipality (1930– 1938), City Engineer (1940) and Burgomaster (1941–1944). From- nument1949, the of Reisonas Independence family livedin Šiauliai in Adelaide city, Australia. KaunasTo his projects city and three Roman monuments Catholic ofChrist’s independence Resurrection were builtChurch in Lithuaniain Kaunas – Mo Fourteen of buildings in Lithuania (in city, Kaunas Podium and Šiauliai of the Freedom Monument of K. Reisonas’ projects city. cities) designed by him are included in the list of cultural values of Lithuania. Early E-mail: [email protected] * Corresponding author. Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičiene This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License © 2019 . Publisher RTU Press. 35 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 «brick style»

are characterized by historism, elements of eclecticism and , later projects are characterized by austere rationalism, functionalism, adaptation to urbanKeywords construction: Karolis Reisonasand cultural and historical context. Kaunas Panevėžys - , architecture of Lithuania, , , Ade laide city. Introduction

The aim of the article is to familiarize readers with the professional activities of the Latvian-born Lithuanian architect and engineer Karolis Reisonas Kaunas continuation of the scientific article «Professional Activities of Latvian- born Lithuanian from June Architect 1930, when and heEngineer started Karolisto work Reisonas in city. It is a in Šiauliai» published in the scientific journal of the Research Centre for (1894–1981) This article introduces K. Reisonas’ activities in the second half of his Engineering History of Riga Technical University (RTU) (2018/2). architect and engineer moved to Kaunas landscapelife, starting of fromKaunas the city summer without of the1930, vertical when ofa Latvian-bornthe bell tower Lithuanian of Christ’s Resurrection Church designed by K. Reisonas city. visible It is hard from to every imagine point the in

the city. This Roman Catholic Church is a symbol of national resurrection hadand beenwas builtthe only during one thein K. interwar Reisonas’ period. When Lithuania regained its stillindependence, be included the in thechurch history was of given Kaunas back to the believers. If this project professional career, his name would in recent years in Lithuania significant andsteps Lithuanian have been architecture. taken to bring Researching and promoting his works is especially relevant today, as Kaunas city andthe modernfourteen architecture of buildings ofin theLithuania interwar designed period by to him the UNESCOare included World in Heritage List [1]. Seven objects designed by him were built in

the list of cultural values of Lithuania. Kaunas – Modern Temporary Capital of Lithuania

After active administrative and creative work in Šiauliai K. Reisonas moved to Kaunas city, and at that time Kaunas became, the the temporary administrative capital centre of Lithuania. of Lithuania For about 20 years, Vilnius and the K.eastern Reisonas part was of Lithuania appointed were Head annexed of the Construction Department of Kaunas and began to develop rapidly. City on 1 June 1930 and was in the position until February 1938.

36 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional The Kaunas period was the most productive in the architect’s bio- Activities

- of Latvian-born Lithuanian(1930–1981) graphy – he had great opportunities, was commissioned to design impor Architect and Engineer tant objects and had success in competitions. It was the time when he Karolis Reisonas Lithuanianstarted applying citizen the Elena principles Butnevičiūtė of functionalismKaunas is inalso his the work. native In city 1930, of having received the permission form the Bishop of Rome, he married both K. Reisonas’ Renata Irvis and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities [2], Kaunas, Panevėžys K. Reisonas started children to –develop daughter the projects(born for in Kaunas 1931) andcity sonalready when(born inliving 1934). in Šiauliai engineer Grigorijus Gumeniukas city. One of the first works – togetherLaisvės with alėja an K. Reisonas took part in (1892–1969) the competition – was of aproject project ideas for thefor Christ’smodern Resurrectioncinema «Forum» Church with in 700 Kaunas seats (1929–1930, 46a ). In 1928, K. Reisonas’ project was in the third place in the contest . It was crucial for the architect’s life. Although (out of 15 participants), he was invited to continue developing the idea. LithuanianAfter a few artists attempts, Mikalojus the architect Konstantinas presented Čiurlionis an impressive project to Kazysthe commission, Šimonis which was reminiscent of the inspirations [3] of famous (1875–1911) and (1887–1978). Information about the planned construction of the church was also distributed in Latvia.

Figure 1. The project of Christ’s Resurrection Church in Kaunas

city (1929) [4]. «Lauku Doma» («Country View and «Vērotājs» («Observer In 1929, newspaper ») to Kaunas city») about as does the thenew Eiffel church Tower wrote: to Paris«.. it willor the be bigone cathedral of the most in Colognebeautiful» buildings in the Baltic States .. it will give the same importance

. It was reported: « .. the church will be 83 meters high and the 37 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 statue of Christ at the top of the tower is going to be seven meters high» It was described as a building of peculiar Gothic style with foundry orna- -. hor of the project was mentioned in the article without mentioning that ments that could seat up to 6000 people [5]. Only the surname of the aut unfortunately became a rather painful argument of the critics about the he was of a Latvian nationality.Halina Kairiukštytė-Jacinienė In Lithuania, on the other hand, this fact that the choice of a foreigner as a project developer «hurt national ambi- tionsarchitect. and egoArt ofhistorian Lithuanian architects» (1896–1984) wrote

. The critic noted that the project andhad claimed the lack that of «Lithuanian he was not concept»the right person and artistic to «build quality, a Lithuanian the architect Cat- belonged to a «wrong» confession, he was erroneously called a reformer

holic Church» [6]. The project surprised some and irritated others, nevertheless it- stimulated public imagination. Initially, the commission approved theproject, but soon it was abolished when it became clear that the cons truction of such a church would cost too much for Lithuania. Neverthe less, the architect did not give up and in 1932, he presented a new project of the church. In 1933, the senior construction inspector confirmed it and the construction began in 1934 [7].

Figure 2. Christ’s Resurrection Church in Kaunas

(2018) [8]. - Kaunas People donated funds to build« thisthe projectchurch. harmoniouslyReports on the merges new buil the modernding also style appeared with inthe the style Latvian of the press. church In aand special the reportspirit of from the monu- mentcity in» 1936 it was written that -

its author. The is articleengineer also Reisonas mentioned of Latvian architect’s nationality nationality:» «.. This buil ding will be one of the most grandiose buildings in the Baltic States and [9]. Such content 38 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional was politically handy for promoting the idea of bringing Lithuania and Activities

of Latvian-born K. Reisonas is the only official author of the Resurrection Church pro- Lithuanian(1930–1981) Latvia closer. Vladimiras Dubeneckis Architect and Engineer Karolis Reisonas ject, but it is possible that his colleague, architectLina Preišegalavičien - (1888–1932), was also unofficially involved in developing the artistic hor of the monograph on the works of V. Dubeneckis and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities idea of the building. Doctor ofV. art Dubeneckis science himself did not takeė, thepart aut in Kaunas, Panevėžys , recently proposed- such a hypothesis. Although - sentthe competition church project of church is undoubtedly projects, accordingthe result toof thecooperation author of ofthe the mono two graph, judging by the newly founded sketches of the architect, the pre- ration with V. Dubeneckis has also been with other architects in Kaunas mentioned architects. It is known that such voluntary creative co-ope Christ’s Resurrection Church is a three-nave basilica building with city [10]. silhouettea rectangular of the layout main and facade a flat made roof. of The rectangular central nave steps is are30 metersemphasized high and the lateral – 18 meters. The skyline of the roof of the church and the by the vertical lines of rhythmic narrow windows and the 70-meter high tower with a cross. The monumentality of the building is also reinforced by the chosen place – the church was built on the high bank of the Neman river valley, behind the facades of other buildings, so the church seems- even bigger from the city centre than it is in reality. It is possible that- the author was inspired to design such form of building, which expres ses great national ambitions, by the monumental architectural tenden cies that reached Lithuania from the West. Reviewing the press of that newspapertime, the similarity «Naujas Žodisof the» silhouette of this church with New York’s new skyscrapers can be seen, whose photos were frequently published in («New Word») from 1928 [11; 12] and in other Lithuanian editions.

Figure 3.

Skyscraper in America (1928) [13]. 39 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 -

Lithuanians admired Americans, the skyscrapers were called monu constructionments of progress, of buildings their idealizedthat are higher image than fascinated six floors the without visionaries a spe of- cialmodern permission city. At theto endcompete of the with 1930s, the the most City importantCouncil even symbolic banned citythe «

tendencydominant of [14]. projects In the presented 1930s, it wasat the also Riga said Architectural in Latvia that Exhibition the Baltic in States are « experiencingshow off with an other era ofoverpowering monumental towers building»» [15], but the

1939Architectural – to historian J. Kančien believes that «the –church was strongly project criticized [16]. ė reflects the potential of a new era – its aesthetic ideals, the technology K.of Reisonasconstruction» wanted [17]. to publishThe church a textbook was built about on this 900 construction reinforced concrete techno- piles [18] that were driven into a floating sand ground. It is known that

logy [19]. Technical supervision of the construction was carried out by the author of the project. The construction continued until June 1940, when it was interrupted by the Soviet occupation and after that World War II. After the war, the building was nationalized, renovated, divided into several floors and made suitable for the needs of the radio factory. The Church was returned to the believers only in 1989. Its renewal requiredThe main great facade effort of fromthe Resurrection specialists andChurch society. has stylistic The church similarities had a withsecond other consecration sacral buildings in 2004. designed by K. Reisonas Kaunas Evange- E. Ožeškienės gatvė similarly modern style of architecture and was often. The referred to as the «Littlelical Reformed Church of Church the Resurrection (1937, 41 » ) was also built in a

Figure 4. Kaunas Evangelical Reformed Church: Postcard «Evangelikų-reformatų bažnyčia statoma Kaune» Figure 5. Christ Miškinis, A., Morkūnas, K. the King Church Kauno atvirukai . in Riga

. 1918–1940 [20]. (2018) [21]. 40 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional Activities

of Latvian-born variousThe constructioncity needs and of untilthe church now the was reformed not completed church untilhas been World only War par II,- Lithuanian(1930–1981) in the Soviet times, it was renovated, turned into a warehouse, used for Architect and Engineer Karolis Reisonas tially restored, the building still lacks the top of the tower. Meža In addition to this modern architectural group of sacral buildings, one prospekts K. Reisonas’ and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities can also mention Christ the King Church in Riga (1934–1935, 86 Kaunas, Panevėžys the project) – of the Roman only known Catholic Church developed project in by his K. native Reisonas Latvia. together withIn the Lithuania, famous falseLatvian information architect has Indriķis been spreadBlankenburgs about the fact that

(1887–1944) ithas was not not been known realized that [22; after 23]. the The development mistake could of havethe church appeared project because the the information was originally searched on St. Joseph’s Church, because plot of land and congregation was changed. At first, it was planned to build the church at St. Joseph’s Congregation, but in 1930, another plot constructionwas given to worksthe church, of the but church in 1937, (poor its concretingoriginal name of church was changed foundati to- Christ the King Church. Although there were variousA. Strazdiņš failures during the not as dramatic as of the already mentioned churches in Kaunas ons) and corrections in the project (engineer ), its fate was city. The church was consecrated in 1943 and is still operating. The opening of a- new Roman Catholic Church during World War II was almost equalled to- a miracle in the Latvian press [24]. In the 1960s, the church was renova theted original(chapel built,project interior the construction reconstructed) of the [25], church but itsbell external tower was architec com- tural style remained unchanged, even on the contrary – in 2003–2004, to pletedChrist’s [26] Resurrectionand the church Church obtained in Kaunas the original served silhouette a sample designedfor the pro by- its authors. Aknīste ject of St. Ignatius of the LoyolaPāvils Catholic Pavlovs Church in town, which inwas Aknīste a reduced version of the original plan, the construction of which started in 1937 (architect – Kaunas; 1882–1977) [27].K. Reisonas The church Compositional was completed similarities in 1940can also and, be like seen Christ in the the Monument King Church of Inde in- pendenceRiga, is very of Šiauliaisimilar tocity the and church in the in Podium ,of designed the Freedom by Monument. of Kaunas city designed by K. Reisonas the old monument decorated by the allegorical statue of the Angel of Freedom (sculptor Juozas Zikaras . It was supposed to beV. rebuilt Dubeneckis when K. Reisonas as a co-author of the building of the new Vytautas (1881–1944), architect ) was moved to another place. In 1936, monument was harmoniously the integrated Great War into Museum, the context was entrusted of the Unity with reorganization of the adjacent square [28]. The relocated and restored

41 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 Square and its vertical rhythmically repeated the vertical of the museum bell tower designed by K. Reisonas

Figure 6. Postcard «Kaunas Vytauto Didžiojo muziejus» (photo V. Augustins Miškinis, A., Morkūnas, K. Kauno. atvirukai ). . 1918–1940 [29]. Later it was also supplemented by the tower of Christ’s Resurrection Church in Kaunas

kept in the collection, rising of the on M. the K. Čiurlionis hill near the Unity Square. During the theSoviet monument era, the returned monument to its was old demolished place (the author (1950), of but the thereconstruction statue was of the podium was architect Algimantas Antanas National Sprindys Art Museum. In 1989, In Kaunas K. Reisonas - ned Vytautas ; 1928–2018). , K. Donelaičiorealized gatvė about 20 projects. The aforementio- the Great War Museum, which was built in the city centre- tic(1931–1936, composition 64 of the object was ),V. isDubeneckis an exampleKazimieras of a conformable Kriščiukaitis crea tive collaboration of the architects. The author K.of Reisonasthe idea ofwas the entrus artis- , (1870–1949) was responsible for the planning. Stasys Kudokasted with the calculationVsevolodas of structures Kopylovas and organization ofBronius construction. Elsber- gasThe project was still under development during the construction. K. Reisonas (1898–1988), implemented his own artistic (1902–?) ideas in andthe projects of the (1901–1998) helped to workK. Donelaičio out the details gatvė of the project [30]. Vytautas Land Bank (1934–1935, 73 ), which was built next to the Great War Museum on the opposite side of the street.

Figure 7. The building of Kaunas

Land Bank in (1935) [31]. 42 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional The functionalist building was masterfully integrated in the urban Activities

of Latvian-born of horizontal and vertical architectural lines created the impression of Lithuanian(1930–1981) lightnesscontext and and completed elegance theof thelandscape buildings of thein theUnity new Square. representative The interplay city Architect and Engineer Karolis Reisonas centre. This method also influenced and inspired other modern urban In Kaunas K. Reisonas and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities formerbuilders studentand created of Rigaa special Polytechnic urban face. Institute Vytautas Landsbergis- Kaunas, Panevėžys Žemkalnis – collaborated with famous Lithuanian architect, the office of the Milk Processors’ Union «Pieno centras» Laisvės (1893 alėja 1993). One of their their joint works is the project of V. Landsbergis-Žemkalnis «Exposition Internationale(1932–1934, des Arts et des55 Techniques» ).in TheParis author the project of the was artistic awarded idea an of Honorary the building Diploma was . In 1937, at Other administrative buildings designed by the architect in Kaunas and Medal. Although the eclectic features of the Šiauliai also have an important place in architecture and cultural history. Agricultural Cooperative Union «Lietūkis» office and periodresidential (symmetry, building decorativeVytauto details, prospektas arches) [32] of the front facade of the Lithuanian with modern and a functional project solution that allowed to increase (1930, 43 ) can be traced, the end facade surprises K. Reisonas lived in this house and it is evidenced by the memorial plaque the mass of the buildingLeonas and Strioga to install fine loggias on the upper floors. The features of modern architecture can be seen in the House of the on it (1994, sculptor ). Donelaičio gatvė Art Deco east-facingChamber of facade Agriculture that is (1933–1934, creatively suited2 K. to the curve of) thewith adjacent typical features – a rounded front of the eastern corner and a vertical K. Reisonas faced a difficult situation when he was designing the Rec- street. Rotušes aikšte Rotušes aikštetorate Building of the Catholic Priests’ Seminar (1933–1934, 21 the Old) andTown an of exclusiveKaunas Archbishop’s ResidenceK. Reisonas (1935,to place 14a large-scale buildings) decorated in a historically with columns, sensitive balustrades context is nowadays and decorative seen as vases contro in- . The attempt by - viewversial on and the criticizedconstruction by of contemporaries, Kaunas but that does not mean that the architect ignored the principle of architectural harmony. In an inter city, he emphasized that the context should be taken into consideration when designing new buildings. He- said that «every architect is trying to stand out with his works, wants to be different from others, which leads to distorted view of streets. Howe ver, sometimes it is not possible to adapt to adjacent buildings as they do

43 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 not fit into the common view of the street: they are either too low or too

K. Reisonas old» [33]. became famous stood not only out becausemaking anit wasaltruistic the first gesture modern − he social designed care St. Vincent from Paul’s Old People’s Shelter without reward, which

institution in the Republic of Lithuania, but also because the secret LithuanianAlmost allLiberation of the apartment Committee buildings was based or privatethere during houses World designed War byII, K.which Reisonas in 1941 are organized related to an Kaunas uprising against Nazis. Kaunas Priests’ Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis intellectuals of that time. One of them – a well-known LithuanianAmerikos poet, lietuviu a long-time gatvė Rector of Seminary, priest (1862–1932) commissionedK. Reisonas was a house (1931–1932, 9 ). Unfortunately,J. Pabrežos the poet gatvė did not move to the newly built house, as he died in 1932. commissioned to design a monastery building (1939, 1 ) on theK. Reisonas land of the also poet’s designed sister, whichindustrial she gavebuildings to the innuns Kaunas of St. Elizabeth Sisters’known Congregation.that he was entrusted to design the Kaunas architect had already worked on the design of this type of buildings city. It inis Šiauliai « Marketto get acquainted Hall. The with the construction of the newly built central hall» the ideacity. of Kaunas In February Market 1931, Hall he was was not sent realized to Riga because city the city lacked [34]. Unfortunately, «Maistas» and other industrial buildings is associated with the name of K.money. Reisonas The construction of slaughterhouses of agricultural cooperative garages of Kaunas Kaunas Šančiai . In 1937, there was a dramatic end of the construction of the K. Reisonas Bus Park resigned in outskirts from the of Construction, Department. During the of Kaunasconstruction of building, the roof collapsed and one person died. After thisIt accident, has not been investigated whether Christ the King Church in Riga is the only city objectand started designed to work by K. in Reisonasa private practice [35]. Tauragė Jurbarkas in Latvia, but he has made a great contributionPasvalys to Lithuanian architecture. In the 1930s, warehouseCity Municipal of Klaipeda Hospital, Agricultural CityCooperative State Lung Union Disease «Lietūkis Hospital,» were Solar Gymnasium, High Commercial School, office, elevator and Biržai Kestučio gatvė built.designed The by authors K. Reisonas of the article recently found out that the building of- Agriculturaltion which was Small an Creditimportant Bank and in highly city anticipated (1935, 6 event in the small) was . It is a modern two-storey building,K. Reisonas’ the construc projects Marijampolė Defender House (Šaulių namai - town [36]. From the already mentioned unrealizedAnykščiai town designed by ) and others could be mentio ned. Virgin Mary’s Wooden Church (1938) in 44 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional K. Reisonas differs from other sacred buildings with the features of both Activities

of Latvian-born Lithuanian(1930–1981) andfolk andthe modernengineer architecture. also took part in renovation of various buildings (for Architect and Engineer In additionKaunas to the already mentioned«Aušros original» projects, the architect Karolis Reisonas Church in Kaunas Jonava example, Boys’ Gymnasium , Little Christ’s Resurrection - and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities toring the Līdoķi ,Manor the towers (Ukmerg of St. Jacob the Apostle Church in , Kaunas, Panevėžys etc.). The experience of the architect and engineer was also useful in res- ė District),K. which Reisonas’ the Reisonaswife Elena family with bought in 1935. In the manor house, where 105 hectares of sample far ming was developed, where mostly stayed the children, the architect visited the family on the weekends. According to the local people’s memories, after the Reisonas settled in the manor – tecta Lithuanian K. Reisonas cultural centre wasSīmanis started Reisons there – a school, a library and- meetings of intellectuals took place. It is also said that the father of archi , the sea captain , who also had an admi rable colourful parrot [37], visited the manor. Emigration. Ideas Continued

Soviet repression against Lithuanian intelligentsia had an effect also on the fate of Reisonas’ - hing and move to Panevfamily.ys In order to avoid exile, the former servant- of state institutions and a co-owner of the manor, had to leave everyt attention to the rationalėž arrangement. There he workedof residential as Head houses of the and Construc indus- trialtion Department,facilities in the developed newly created the City areas Master and to Plan using [38], the devoted Nevėžis muchRiver K. Reisonas was for Panevėžys for the development of water sports. From July 1941, three years ReisonasBurgomaster of city [39], but at the end of World War II he emigrated to Germany with his family. In 1949, family emigrated to Australia. The architect began- to work in the Adelaide City Architecture Department, designed the theproject Australian of Adelaide Union Lithuanian of Lithuanian Community Engineers House and free Architects of charge, and desig held ned private houses for Lithuanian emigrants, was an active member of the position of Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Lithuanian Union of- Adelaide. K. Reisonas’ work is also evi- dencedBesides by the neo-byzantine buildings that style were of designed Adelaide’s for Russian the Adelaide Orthodox Lit huanian Community, the uniqueness of built in collaboration with architect Vladimir Sergejevich Pozhidayev (St.Владимир Nicholas Сергеевич Church Пожидаев (1959–1961, 41–42 Greenhill Road, Wayville),

; 1909–1972) and engineer N. Kovanjko 45 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 (Н. М. Кованько

; ?–?) [40]. The main facade of the building is adorned compositionwith vertical on circular the side friezes,facades eclecticgives the details, building roofs a lightness and towers effect and are resemblescharacteristic the composition for Russian of Orthodox the roof chapel churches. window The church’scomposition uplifting simi- lar to Christ’s Resurrection Church in Kaunas - dings designed by K. Reisonas the architect has designed one of the buildings. There of the are Concordia still other College buil in Adelaide, for example, it is known that For merits to Lithuania K. Reisonas in Adelaide, but there is a lack of more precise information about it. of Vytautas was awarded the 4th Class Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (1933), the 3rd Class Order the Great (1938) and the Lithuanian Independence Medal, which was founded in 1928 in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Lithuania. Conclusions

K. Reisonas’ creative and administrative work can be divided into four periods: Šiauliai Kaunas Panevėžys

(1922–1930), (1930–1940), (1940– Kaunas1944) and Adelaide % (1949–1981).of the buildings Although built during the first this two period are are the inclu most- creative in terms of architectural heritage, theK. most Reisonas important participated is the in the creation period. 70of important representative Lithuanian buildings of the ded in the list of cultural values of Lithuania. architects he founded a special modern architecture style of interwar periodtemporary in Kaunas capital of Lithuania. Together with other famous Lithuanian

The architect city.of Latvian Many of origin his projects is the featuredauthor of functionality, three particularly ascetic rationalism, adaptation to the urban and cultural-historical context. - pendence in Šiauliai Kaunas and the monu- mentalimportant Christ’s monuments Resurrection of independence Church in ofKaunas Lithuania – Monument of Inde city, Freedom Monument in . The creative and human spirit of the architect can be traced inK. Latvia, Reisonas Lithuania also made and a far major away con in- tributionAdelaide. to the development of Lithuanian agricultural construction: he foundedBeing anda highly ran thequalified courses specialist of craftsmen and courses in construction and expanded the range of construction workers; his textbooks on agri-

The versatile personality of K. Reisonas is well illustrated by his exlib- cultural construction were the firstGerardas of the kind Bagdonavičius in Lithuanian. The centre of it features an outstanding building that emphasizes the ris drawn in 1928 by his friend, (1901–1986).

46 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional Activities

of Latvian-born K.architect’s Reisonas main goal – to create a project of a monumental building. The Lithuanian(1930–1981) drawingJonas depicts Lukšė tools of an architect, engineer and teacher,Kaunas from historical which Architect and Engineer did not part until the end of his life. Karolis Reisonas to K. Reisonas’ ,work a researcher, in Kaunas artist and architect of and architectural heritage, has created a cycle of drawings dedicated and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities city. Pen-and ink drawing have captured Kaunas, Panevėžys around 20 design objects. The artist draws attention to the fact that they have not only an architectural value – eight of them areJ. Lukšė included in the list of cultural values of Lithuania, but five have a historic cultural heritage status. In February–March 2018, the works of , were exhibitedThe life in and Riga creative – at the work Riga of Lithuanian K. Reisonas Secondary is evidenced School and and reminded in the ofExhibition not only Hallby the of RTU Research Centre for Engineering History. but also by the memorial plaques installed in Kaunas and Šiauliai buildings and drawings that have survived to this day, .

Figure 8. Figure 9. Memorial plaque to Reisonas Gerardas Bagdonavičius in Kaunas L. Strjoga K. Reisonas’ exlibris. Author (1928) [41]. city (arch. ) [42]. Kaunas suburbs was named after K. Reisonas

In 2007, a street in K. Reisonas’ works are also represented in. Histhe databaseworks are created mentioned by the in Architectural the history of and architecture, Urban Studies photo Centre exhibitions, of Kau- nasseminars University and conferences. of Technology: www.autc.lt.

LIST OF SOURCES AND LITERATURE

http://whc.unesco.org/en/ [1] tentativelists/6166/UNESCO Tentative lists. «Kaunas 1919–1939: The Capital Inspired by the Modern Movement» [online]. [cited: 25.02.2019]. 47 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

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[2] Kauno Šv. Kryžiaus RKB Santuokos« metrikų knyga, 1930. P. 105, ieraksta» Nr. 63. [3] Jankevičiūtė, G., Petrulis, V. Tautos šventovė: Prisikėlimo bažnyčia . Optimizmo architektūra: Kauno fenomenas, 1918–1940.Lauku Vilnius: Doma Lapas, 2018, p. 94. [4] Kristus augšāmcelšanās baznīcas projekts Vērotājs (1929). , 1929 gada 31. oktobris, Nr. 40, 3. lpp. [5] Kristīgas tautas brīvības piemineklis. , 1929. gadaLietuvos 9. novembris, Aidas Nr. 39, 1.–2. lpp. [6] Kairiukštytė-Jacinienė, H. Prisikėlimo bažnyčios reikalu. , 1930, Nr. 55, p. 2. [7] Buškevičienė, A. Prisikėlimas. Kaunas: Judex, 2006, Nr. 42.–44., p. 102. Jaunākās [8] ZiņasKristus Augšāmcelšanās baznīca Kauņā. R. Vaisvalavičus foto, 2018. [9] Lietuvas Augšāmcelšanās baznīcas projekta autors – latvietis. , 1936. gada 26. augusts, Nr. 193, 16. lpp. [10] Preišegalavičienė, L. Tautinės modernybės architektas: Vladimiro Dubeneckio« gyvenimas ir kūryba 1888–1932. Kaunas:» Naujas Nacionalinis Žodis, M. K. Čiurlionio dailės muziejus. 2018, p. 162–163. [11] Fotoattēls «Vienas aukščiausių» AmerikosNaujas Žodis namų . 1928, Nr. 10–11, p. 18. Naujas Žodis [12] Fotoattēls Naujas dangorėžis . , 1930, Nr. 2, p. 38. » [13] Amerikas debesskrāpja fotoattēls. , 1928, Nr. 23–24, p. 15. [14] Laurinaitis, P. T. «Futuristinės Kauno vizijos . Optimizmo architektūra: Kauno fenomenas, 1918–1940. Lapas, Brīvā 2018, Zeme, p. 68. [15] Baltijas valstis piedzīvo monumentālu celtņu radīšanas laikmetu: Saruna ar Rīgas pilsētas galvu R. Liepiņu.Latvijas Arhitektūra1937. gada 17. jūnijs, Nr. 133, 6. lpp. [16] Rutmanis, J. Celtniecības izstāde. , 1939, Nr. 6, 168. lpp. [17] Kančienė, J. Architektas Karolis Reisonas. Kaunas: Geltona, [b. m.], p. 5. [18] Kančienė, J. «Prisikėlimo bažnyčia». Kauno architektūra. Vilnius: Mokslas, 1991, p. 351. « [19] KRVA, 219. f., 3. apr., 508. l., 27. lp. » [20] Kauņas Evanģēlisko reformātu: Katalogs baznīca: a) Atklātne Evangelikų- reformatų bažnyčia statoma Kaune . Miškinis, A., Morkūnas, K. Kauno atvirukai. 1918–1940 . Vilnius: Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus, 2001, p. 152–153. [21] Kristus Karaļa baznīca Rīgā. Foto Kristupas Saladžinskas, 2018.

[22] Kančienė, J. Architektas Karolis Reisonas. Kaunas: Geltona, [b. m.], p. 16. [23] Jankevičiūtė, G., Petrulis, V. «Tautos šventovė: Prisikėlimo bažnyčia». Optimizmo architektūra: Kauno fenomenas, Daugavas Vēstnesis1918–1940. Lapas, 2018, p. 96. [24] Katoļu dievnama jaunceltne Rīgā. http://karalis.lv/vest, 1943. gada ure#1500533251709-61119636-252420. aprīlis, Nr. 93, 4. lpp. [25] Rīgas Kristus karaļa draudze [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts: 03.11.2018].

48 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

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[26] Levina, M., Zilgalvis, J., Tipāne, A., Čoldere, D., Banga, V. Thehttp://www. Heritage of of Latvian-born Lithuanian(1930–1981) akniste.lv/?id=399&lang=lvReligious Architecture and Art in Riga. Rīga: Neputns, 2010, 426. lpp. [27] Aknīstes sv. Ignācija no Lojolas katoļu baznīca [tiešsaiste]. Architect and Engineer [skatīts: 03.11.2018]. Karolis Reisonas [28] Jankevičiūtė, G., Petrulis, V. «Nacionalinė tapatybė: Vytauto Didžiojo muziejus». Optimizmo architektūra: Kauno fenomenas. 1918–1940. and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities Vilnius: Lapas, 2018, p. 86. Kaunas, Panevėžys [29] Atklātne «Kaunas. Vytauto Didžiojo muziejus» (foto V. Augustins). Miškinis, A., Morkūnas, K. Kauno atvirukai. 1918–1940. Katalogas. Vilnius: Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus, 2001, p. 87. [30] Kančienė, J. «Vytauto DidžiojoTechnika muziejus». ir ūkis Kauno architektūra. Sast. A. Jankevičienė. Vilnius: Mokslas, 1991, p. 306. [31] Zemes bankas ēka Kauņā.Žemaičių Žemė. , 1935, Nr. 1, 26. lpp. [32] Baužienė, M. Didžiausio Lietuvos nepriklausomybės dešimtmečio paminklo autorius.Lietuvos Aidas 2007, Nr. 4, p. 47. [33] Kauno miesto privatiLietuvos statyba: Žinios pasikalbėjimas su miesto inžinieriumi K. Reisonu. , 1934, Nr. 69, p. 8. [34] Kauno miesto halės. , 02.02.1931, p. 8. [35] KRVA, 219. f., 3. apr., 508. lieta, 9. lp. [36] Žk. Ilgų metų kruopštaus darbo dideli vaisiai. Ūkininko PatarėjasMoteris:, 1936, LietuviųNr. 3, p. 13. Moterų Kanadoje Žurnalas. [37] Gailiūnaitė, O. Eleną Butnevičiūtę-Reisonienę Panevėžioprisimenant. Tiesa, 1985–1986, p. 18. [38] Reisonas, K. Miesto statybos darbai ir planai. 1940., Nr. 7, p. 4. http://www.panevezys.lt/lt/gyventojams/miestas-216/istorija/ [39] miesto-vadovai.htmlAstramskas, A. Miesto vadovai: Panevēžas pilsētas vadītāju saraksts [tiešsaiste]. http://saintnicholasadelaide.org.au/?page_ id=71 [skatīts: 02.06.2018]. [40] St. Nicholas Church [online]. [skatīts: 04.09.2018]. [41] K. Reisona ekslibris. Autors G. Bagdonavičus (1928). Šauļu muzejs «Aušra», ŠAM D-T 6764. [42] Memoriālā plāksne K. Reisonam Šauļos (tēln. K. Bimba). Foto A. Zabitītes (2018). KRISTINA VAISVALAVIČIENĖ, Mg. philol student of Lithuanian philology at Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas ., is a PhD

«Lietuvos ir Latvijos, Lithuania), forumas administratorHer main academic of the interestsVMU Centre are of cultural Letonics, relations member between of the association Lithuania ».

and Latvia, V. Baltic Putvinskio literature, gatvė children’s literatureKaunas and periodicals. Address: 23 23, Apt. 220, , E-mail:LT-44243, [email protected] Lithuania. Phone: +370 61253317

49 HISTORY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2019/3 SIGITAS VLADAS SALADŽINSKAS is a specialist of

descriptive geometry, researcher of the Lithuanian emeritusarchitecture expert and teacher culture, of member mathematics of the and Lithuanian engine- Society for Engineering Graphics and Geometry,

ering design, a member of international association- demicBALTGRAF, interests a memberare the methods of Lithuanian and development Society for of Engineering Graphics and Geometry. His main aca history of architecture of Šiauliai and Panevėžys teaching mathematicsŽirmūnų gatvė and engineering design, the Lithuania . Adress: 30C Apt. 8, Vilnius, LT-9229,

Phone: +370 64751976 Sigits Vlads Saladžinsks, Kristina Vaisvalavičiene Latviešu izcelsmes Lietuvas arhitekta un inženiera Kārļa Reisona (1894–1981) darbība (1930–1981) Kauņā, Panevēžā un Adelaidā

Karolis Reisonas; Raksts iepazīstina ar latviešu izcelsmes Lietuvas arhitekta un inženiera Kārļa Reisona ( 1894–1981) profesionālo darbību mūža otrajā pusē – no 1930. gada Kauņā, Panevēžā un Adelaidā – un viņa darbu nozīmi Lietuvas arhitektūras vēsturē. K. Reisons bija viens no spilgtākajiem 20. gadsimta starpkaru perioda Lietuvas modernās arhitektūras radītājiem, kopā ar citiem slaveniem Lietuvas arhitektiem veidoja īpašo starpkaru perioda Kauņas modernās arhitektūras stilu. K. Reisons ir reprezentatīvu celtņu Šauļos, Kauņā un citās Lietuvas pilsētās, kā arī Rīgā un Adelaidā autors vai līdzautors. Arhitekts un inženieris K. Reisons strādāja par Šauļu pilsētas inženieri un pašvaldības Būvniecības nodaļas vadītāju (1922–1930), Šauļu arodskolas direktoru (1926), Lietuvas Lauksaimniecības kameras konsultantu (1927–1928), Kauņas pašvaldības Būvniecības nodaļas vadītāju (1930–1938), Panevēžas inženieri (1940) un birģermeistaru (1941–1944). No 1949. gada- Reisonu ģimene dzīvoja Adelaidā, Austrālijā. Pēc viņa projektiem Lietuvā uzcelti trīs neatkarības pieminekļi – Šauļu Neatka rības piemineklis, Kauņas Brīvības pieminekļa postaments un Kauņas Romas katoļu Kristus Augšāmcelšanās baznīca. 14 no viņa projektētām celtnēm Kauņā un Šauļos ir iekļautas Lietuvas nekustamo kultūras vērtību sarakstā. Agrīniem- K. Reisona projektiem raksturīgs historisms, eklektisma elementi, «ķieģeļu stils», vēlākie projekti iezīmējas ar modernismam raksturīgu askētisko racionā lismu, funkcionālismu, piemērošanos pie pilsētbūvnieciskā un kultūrvēsturiskā konteksta.Atslēgas vārdi : Kārlis Reisons, Lietuvas arhitektūra, Kauņa, Panevēža, Adelaida.

50 Sigitas Vladas Saladžinskas, Kristina Vaisvalavičienė

Professional Сигитас Владас Саладжинскас, Кристина Вайсвалавичиене Activities

Деятельность литовского архитектора и инженера of Latvian-born латышского происхождения Карлиса Рейсонса (1894–1981) в Lithuanian(1930–1981) Architect and Каунасе, Паневежисе и Аделаиде (1930–1981) Engineer Karolis Reisonas

(СтатьяKarolis Reisonas; знакомит с профессиональной деятельностью литовского and(1894–1981) Adelaide incities архитектора и инженера латышского происхождения Карлиса Рейсонса Kaunas, Panevėžys 1894–1981) во второй половине его жизни – с 1930 года в Каунасе, Паневежисе и Аделаиде, и значением его работ в истории литовской архитектуры. К. Рейсонс был одним из самых выдающихся создателей современной литовской архитектуры ХХ века, и вместе с другими известными литовскими архитекторами сформировал особый стиль современной каунасской архитектуры межвоенного периода. K. Рейсонс является автором или соавтором представительских зданий в Шяуляе, Каунасе и других городах Литвы, а также в Риге и Аделаиде. Архитектор и инженер К. Рейсонс работал инженером в городе Шяуляе и заведующим Отделом муниципального строительства (1922–1930), директором Шяуляйского профессионального училища (1926), консультантом Литовской сельскохозяйственной камеры (1927–1928), руководителем Отдела строительства Каунасского самоуправления (1930–1938), инженером в Паневежисе (1940) и бюргермейстером (1941– 1944). С 1949 года семья Рейсонсов проживала в Аделаиде, Австралия. По его проектам в Литве были построены три памятника независимости – Шяуляйский памятник независимости, постамент Каунасского памятника свободы и Каунасская Римско-католическая церковь Воскресения Христа. 14 из спроектированных им зданий в Каунасе и Шяуляе включены в список культурного наследия Литвы. Ранним проектам К. Рейсона присущи историзм, элементы эклектики, «кирпичный стиль», а более поздние проекты характеризуются строгим рационализмом, функционализмом, адаптацией к городскому строительству и культурно- историческимКлючевые слова: контекстом. Карлис Рейсонс, литовская архитектура, Каунас, Паневежис, Аделаида.