17. Klaipėda Adomas Brakas School of Art / former Rumpiškė Manor

About

The complex of buildings of the Adomas Brakas School of Art is unique and surprising in its historical layering. It consists of two very different parts: the classicist Rumpiškė Manor house, built in the 17th century, and a modern extension from the 20th century, which stands as a prime example of critical regionalist architecture on the Lithuanian seaside.

Since the manor’s early days in 1646, its richly decorated interior was well-known, with much of it surviving to this day. Later accounts describe a building featuring verandas and a rectangular courtyard, complemented by a beautifully landscaped garden and a rectangular pond. Over the centuries, Rumpiškė Manor underwent several transformations, saw numerous owners, survived wars, and even experienced a surprising change of use – from a residence to an aerodrome. In 1970, the remaining manor house was repurposed as a children’s art school.

As the school expanded and space became limited, an extension was constructed between 1979 and 1980, reflecting the distinctive architectural style of that period. The new addition, several times larger than the historic manor, appears to envelop the original building in its design, with the two connected by a narrow corridor. Purpose-built as an art school, the extension includes classrooms with large windows and high ceilings, along with private studios for artists. Although some original features, like its impressive front staircase, have been lost over time, the extension continues to serve its original function, and the art school remains active today.