In 2019, together with the architects A.I.D.E. (Jānis Rinkevičius and Elīna Znotena), we started work on the Riga Panorama Wheel parking project, which included a project for the wheel developers adapting and transforming the leased part of Victory Park.

At that time there was no idea that the Occupation Monument (H-75m) would ever disappear and the idea of the Riga Wheel (H-65m) as another vertical landmark to distract attention from the other one - seemed inspiring.

The 2 beech trees that replaced the Rata became the only 'Good Trees' so far to replant two trees at the same time. They are now in their third year of growth in their new location next to the cart and are doing well.

At the foot of the wheel, a scaled, man-made plaza separates the traffic from the Ranķis dam, surrounded by 60m long benches with a glazed and green succulent-roofed pavilion in the centre of the plaza.

The white lines woven into the pavement bring a vertical dynamism to the horizontal plane that is felt almost physically after one spin in the air, hitting the ground again.

Designed by A.I.D.E. (Jānis Rinkevičs, Elīna Znotena), Zala Landscape Architects (Linda Zaļā).

Landscaping: 'Alley projects'. Tree care: 'Good Trees'

Main contractor: the Baltic Construction Company BCC