Latvian Academy of Science Building

Nicknamed the “Stalin’s Birthday Cake”, the Latvian Academy of Sciences Building in Riga is one of the most striking examples of Soviet-era architecture in the Baltics. Completed in 1961, it was a gift from the Soviet Union and reflects the socialist realist style, similar to the famous “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers in Moscow.

Standing 108 meters tall, it was the first high-rise in Latvia and remained the tallest building in the country for decades. Its massive structure and decorative spire dominate the city’s skyline, symbolizing a very different era in Latvian history — one marked by control, but also by scientific progress and education.

Today, the building houses research institutions and cultural organizations. A panoramic platform near the top offers sweeping views of Riga, drawing visitors who are fascinated by its scale, history, and symbolism. It is a reminder of how architecture can reflect power, ideology, and transition.

In this activity, students will model the Academy of Sciences building and consider how architectural style can express political messages, while also evolving to serve new cultural purposes.

---

🛠️ What materials do you want to work with?

Choose how you want to explore each monument!Use the icons below to access resources on different platforms:

• 🗺️ Genially – Visit the interactive map with all the monuments

• 🎨 Canva – Open the classroom materials and printable activities

• ▶️ YouTube – Watch a tutorial video to learn more about the monument

• 🧱 Tinkercad – Access the 3D model to explore, copy, or customize the structure
  

---