Citizenship is not dependent on age or profession - everyone, looking through the prism of their experience or abilities, can contribute to the growth of their country and help society. The architectural community also creates not only aesthetic buildings, but also seeks solutions to create a safe environment.
Architect and associate professor at the Faculty of Architecture (FA) of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Saulius Pamerneckis is one of many Lithuanians who have decided that the desire to be a citizen is not enough.
"I always wanted to be a civic member of society, so in 2014, when the war broke out, I decided that it was not enough to talk about it in the company - it was time to start doing something myself, so I joined the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union. It is a voluntary organization where everyone does as much as they can, are able to, and choose their own activities."
The activities of the Riflemen are not only related to war: they also help the state and people in emergency situations. I had the opportunity to work with police "to exercise control over the city during the pandemic and join in managing the refugee crisis at the border," shares S. Pamerneckis.
At the same time, VILNIUS TECH alumnus, architect Tumas Mazūras, joined the Riflemen's Union, with whom S. Pamerneckis has been actively raising security issues in the country in recent years. At the Lithuanian Chamber of Architects, they initiated and, together with a working group, prepared recommendations for the installation of increased security premises in buildings for various purposes, participated in discussions and provided comments during the preparation of the Construction Technical Regulation on the design and installation of shelters.
The architects realized in 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that society was unprepared and action was needed.
"We started collecting information, studying foreign practices. The idea came up with recommendations for preparing safe spaces that every citizen could use," he says.
The Lithuanian Chamber of Architects supported the development of recommendations and promoted campaigns that, with the help of the media and famous people, aimed to inform the public as widely as possible that each of us can take a significant step.
"We must take care of our own safety. We invite communities to come together, clean out their basements, and prepare their premises," says the architect.
The associate professor emphasizes that although the country is developing tools and improving laws to ensure security, it is necessary to continue and learn from the experience of countries that are more advanced in terms of security. S. Pamerneckis and his colleagues studied Israeli practice and traveled to Finland to see the installed hiding places firsthand.
"In Finland, shelters and shelters are usually installed in underground parking lots. We contacted our fellow architects and tried to create a map of which buildings in Vilnius have underground parts. Monolithic, reinforced concrete structures might not withstand a very strong direct impact, but they would be an excellent shelter from the shock wave or shrapnel. The premises can be prepared for this," the architect emphasizes.
S. Pamerneckis expects changes not only in the legislative framework, but also in society. The associate professor notes that after the start of designing neighborhoods with higher-quality courtyard spaces, the environment has become an important criterion for people when choosing housing, so the same change can be expected in terms of security.
"When buying a home, there should be a criterion for determining whether the facility has a sufficiently high-quality shelter. As society begins to choose higher-quality, safer housing, builders and investors will have to pay more attention to this. True, builders also need state support. Abroad, the area of premises intended for security is not included in the total area of the facility, which helps the client save money," he shares.
VILNIUS TECH Associate Professor Saulius Pamerneckis invites everyone to be interested in their living environment, to be civic-minded, and to remember that each of us is someone who, starting with ourselves, can create change for everyone.
