Winners announced in Latvia's Most Energy-Efficient Building 2026 contest

The annual 'Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2026' contest, held for the sixteenth year as part of the 'Live Warmer' awareness campaign, has concluded. This year 41 buildings were submitted for evaluation, including office centers, preschools and apartment buildings. The jury focused primarily on ventilation and heating system solutions, fire safety, construction quality and indoor climate.

Winners in four categories

The title of best renovated apartment building went to a building at Meža iela 18 in Jaunolaine, Olaine municipality, with second place awarded to a building on Gaismas iela in Ķekava and third to 'Ezerkrasti' in Dižstende, Talsi municipality. In the public building category, the StokOfiss U34 office and warehouse complex in Riga took first place, followed by the 'Liedags' preschool in Liepāja and an office building on Antonijas iela. In the industrial category, the 'Caljan' plant in the Liepāja Special Economic Zone won first place. The best newly built residential building was a house at Grēdu iela 17 in Riga.

Additional awards

The Ministry of Climate and Energy's annual 'Climate Friend' award went to a preschool in Liepāja, while the renovation of Lejasciems primary school was highlighted separately as an example of combining energy efficiency with a modernized learning environment. A total of 3,231 votes were cast in the public poll, with the People's Choice award going to the 'Liedags' preschool in Liepāja, which received 345 votes. The jury's special sympathy award went to the Vidzeme Rehabilitation Centre in Valmiera, where a building constructed in 1974 was transformed into an A-class energy-efficient facility equipped with a 100 kW solar power station. The Ministry of Economics' sympathy awards also went to the 'Caljan' plant and the 'New Hanza' office building in Riga, as well as to project manager Sarma Novicāne-Lazdāne for her long-term contribution to building renovation.

The contest is organized by the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Climate and Energy, and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers, and is co-financed by EU funds. Applications for the contest closed on June 18 this year.