The competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2025”, organized for 15 years by the Ministry of Economics within the framework of the “Live Warmer” campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate and Energy and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers, has concluded.

This year, the jury paid special attention to the heating solutions and ventilation systems used in the competing buildings, as well as their sustainability and construction quality, in order to ensure a good indoor climate and low energy consumption. In total, 36 buildings were evaluated this year, including shopping and office centers, preschools, multi-apartment buildings, and single-family houses.

Winners of the competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2025”:

• Multi-apartment building in Riga, Vecmīlgrāvja Street 17 k-3 – 1st place in the category “Most Energy-Efficient Renovated Multi-Apartment Building in Latvia 2025”;

• Elemental Business Centre in Riga, Skanstes Street 25 – 1st place in the category “Most Energy-Efficient Public Building in Latvia 2025”;

• Newly built warehouse and office building in Riga, Krūzes Street 17 – 1st place in the category “Most Energy-Efficient Industrial Building in Latvia 2025”;

• Single-family house in Mārupe, Pededzes Street 18 – 1st place in the category “Most Energy-Efficient Single-Family House in Latvia 2025”.

“Energy efficiency, sustainability, and the use of local resources are key prerequisites for Latvia’s growth, ensuring both economic development and a comfortable, healthy living environment for residents. Over the past 15 years, the competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia” has become a platform where society and professionals gain inspiration, learn, and invest in building energy efficiency. These best practice examples foster a climate-neutral future and sustainable development, demonstrating how local materials and modern solutions create practical benefits for residents and society as a whole. Today’s winners are a source of inspiration for other multi-apartment, public, industrial buildings, and private homes, creating long-term value, promoting innovation, and proving that sustainable construction is an essential development resource for Latvia,” emphasized Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis.

The Ministry of Economics’ Special Award was granted to Staņislavs Gendelis for his contribution to energy-efficient and sustainable construction of a single-family house in Mārupe, Pededzes Street 18. The owner’s determination is an inspiring example of energy-efficient private house construction in Latvia. Another Special Award of the Ministry of Economics was given to the Multifunctional Outpatient Center in Riga, Tvaika Street 2, for its outstanding contribution to designing a sustainable and patient-friendly building. The facility features bright and high-quality spaces, excellent accessibility for persons with functional impairments, and well-designed outdoor areas, creating a safe, calming, and supportive environment for health recovery.

“Every resident of a renovated building is like a member of a winning team that has overcome challenges to achieve a higher quality of life at home. For the rest of us, it is a positive example that with determination, the goal is achievable. It also contributes to an improved urban environment and more sustainable use of energy resources. However, when analyzing renovation rates, which continue to grow, we must say that the pace of multi-apartment building renovation must increase. In the coming years, renovation volumes need to grow in geometric progression,” stressed Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis.

The Ministry of Climate and Energy’s annual “Climate Friend” award was given to the preschool educational institution at Rubeņu Street 2A, Salaspils. With this award, the Ministry highlights and honors a project that has embedded sustainability principles in a building that performs a special function and serves as the heart of any city. The Ministry’s team is particularly drawn to architectural gems built with wooden structures and finishes, where the fresh scent of planed wood enhances well-being. This year’s award-winning building is no exception – it has a significantly lower CO₂ footprint than required by European standards. The most effective way to capture and store carbon long-term is through high-value-added wooden buildings, which simultaneously foster new niche development in the local economy. We are pleased that children have the opportunity to experience contemporary wooden architecture.

“The competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia” has been held for 15 years. Why? The answer is simple – the competition provides an opportunity to learn from the best examples of energy efficiency, best practices, and to see the best teamwork. Because only teamwork – client, designer, builder, and supervisor – can create a high-quality energy-efficient and sustainable building. And only together – the state, municipalities, NGOs, the private sector, and academia – can join forces for so many years in the movement “Live Warmer” and promote the construction of energy-efficient buildings in Latvia,” said Helēna Endriksone, Vice President of ECCE and First Deputy Chair of the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers.

This year, the jury awarded special recognition to the renovated multi-apartment building at Kristapa Street 18 and to Mārupe’s Music and Art School. The recognition highlights outstanding building renovation project management – excellent examples of sustainable thinking that foster not only resource savings but also a comfortable and well-maintained environment.

In the online voting, the single-family house at Bebrīšu Street 10, Inčukalns, received the most votes – 318 – and therefore won the competition’s People’s Choice Award.

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Detailed results of “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2025”:

Category: Most Energy-Efficient Renovated Multi-Apartment Building in Latvia 2025
1st place – Renovated multi-apartment building in Riga, Vecmīlgrāvja Street 17 k-3;
2nd place – Renovated multi-apartment building in Valka, Semināra Street 6;
3rd place – Renovated multi-apartment building in Jelgava, Pasta Street 34.

Category: Most Energy-Efficient Public Building 2025
1st place – Elemental Business Centre in Riga, Skanstes Street 25;
2nd place – Preschool “Septītais bērnudārzs” in Salaspils, Rubeņu Street 2A;
3rd place – Shopping center Riga Plaza in Riga, Mūkusalas Street 71.

Category: Most Energy-Efficient Industrial Building in Latvia 2025
1st place – New warehouse and office building in Riga, Krūzes Street 17;
2nd place – Production building in Gulbene, Zaļā Street 3.

Category: Most Energy-Efficient Single-Family House in Latvia 2025
1st place – Single-family house in Mārupe, Pededzes Street 18;
2nd place – Single-family house in Inčukalns, Bebrīšu Street 10, Sigulda municipality.

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About the competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia”

Applications for the competition “Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2025” were invited until June 18. In total, 36 applications were received across 5 categories. During the summer, the jury evaluated all submissions and conducted on-site visits for the shortlisted buildings. The submitted projects can be viewed here.

The competition rules were developed in cooperation with partners of the information campaign “Live Warmer” – Latvian Association of Property Managers and Administrators, Latvian Window and Door Manufacturers Association, Riga Technical University, Riga Stradins University, Building Material Manufacturers Association, Latvian Association of Heating, Gas and Water Technology Engineers, Sustainable Construction Council, State Construction Control Bureau, State Fire and Rescue Service, SIA “Possessor” (Public Asset Manager), Rural Support Service, AS “Sadales tīkls”, Central Finance and Contracting Agency, Energy and Environmental Agency.

The competition is co-financed by EU funds. Supporters include SIA “Paroc”, SIA “Saint-Gobain Construction Products”, SIA “Rockwool”, Development Finance Institution “Altum”, AS “Latvenergo”, VentSys, “Rīgas siltums”, AS “Sadales tīkls” and SIA “Robert Bosch”. Media supporters: magazine Būvinženieris, daily Latvijas Avīze, construction portals www.abc.lv, https://archidea.lv/, and www.building.lv.

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Ministry of Economics
Public Relations Department
E-mail: prese@em.gov.lv