Former Industrial Area Going Green in Lithuania

The exciting new recreation area, which was successfully launched in June 2013, has just started its second season. So what's Svencelė? What holidaymakers do there? We are interviewing the author of the idea, architect Lukas Rekevičius. 

"Green tourism spot idea emerged in 2009. It was the peak of the crisis, and everyone were looking for ways to save money and hence for replacements of traditional construction. Also due to the crisis the press at the time was full of info about the maritime trade containers piling up in various ports. This new economic reality gave a birth plan to Svencelė recreational area - start with the development of the green container town."

This camping spot in Svencelė, Klaipeda region - is a step towards building a small town of few hundred building (not just containers), which will be connected with channels instead of streets. Meaning that the main mean of transport will be wind-driven small boats or yachts. The spot is a magnet for kite- and windsurfers, as well as sailing fans, since due to air masses from the dunes sea breeze is stronger here than anywhere else in the Lithuanian seaside. Overnight stay vacationers enjoy wonderful views of the unique lagoon through large windows inserted in the container houses.

This project is an example of how the former industrial area can be turned into something recreational and also how to recover picturesque corners of Lithuanian nature. Previous buildings' waste rubble - concrete and bricks - were crushed and used for roads. The site is right now almost entirely powered by renewable energy sources - both solar and wind. Lightweight container houses are built so as to minimally interfere with the local environment, and, if necessary, the containers can be re-used.

"I have always believed that the realization of such concept should start off with a grand project - construction of the port, yacht club or something of that kind, which would attract the flow of visitors to the place. But here we have realized that hundreds of people already gather to Svencelė every weekend to windsurf and/or kite; and everything you need is to give them minimal facilities - shower, toilet, restaurant, spot to pitch a tent, a house with clean bedding, etc.

The project currently contains 35 marine-style containers, out of which 23 are for overnight stay. The remaining ones are a cafe, toilets, showers, lockers, etc.

Containers and Svencelė itself is primarily designed for surfing and sailing (or, of course, spectators), but sometimes there is no wind. Therefore, in the nearby pond (originally made for industrial purposes) wakeboard cables were installed, which gives our customers something to do during windless days.

The cafe in the 'town' is very small, so can offer a very short menu. Yet, all the products are green and fresh, because there is simply not enough place for storage. Such modesty and unique 4-dishes menu has been greeted with great enthusiasm by the visitors and generated significant income.

Even though the first seasons was almost two months late to begin (we started only in mid-June), but the first-year financial plan was implemented without problems!"

After the summer season, the resort is only open when there is the weather is not too cold. With an exception for winter months, when Svencelė invites everyone for snow-kiting and other extreme winter sports.