Ignacio Villalon Fornes arrived in Lithuania from sunny Madrid and has since become a vital part of the academic community at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). As a lecturer in structural design and an active advocate for youth education, he has been inspiring students and engaging them in innovative projects that envision the future of Lithuania.
Having lived in Lithuania for 14 years, Ignacio completed his PhD at KTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture (KTU SAF), where he conducted research on innovative concrete materials, replacing traditional cement with an eco-friendly alternative—phosphogypsum. Beyond his scientific work, Ignacio captivates the local community with his impressive Lithuanian language skills and active involvement in public life.
Although his knowledge of Lithuania was limited when he first arrived, it has since become his second home. Reflecting on his early days, Ignacio recalls dedicating his first year to intensive Lithuanian language studies. “It wasn’t easy, but we all managed to learn,” he proudly says.
His immersion in Lithuanian culture opened doors to the local academic community, which he now finds fascinating and uniquely appealing.
A Journey to Lithuania
Ignacio’s connection to Lithuania began during his school years when he became involved with the Catholic organisation “Opus Dei.” In his final year of secondary school, he was offered the opportunity to join similar activities in Lithuania.
“I loved the idea. But I must admit, when I first got the invitation, I had to look up Lithuania on a map,” he laughs. “Still, I quickly decided to come, and I’ve never regretted it!”
Ignacio quickly noticed cultural differences between Lithuania and Spain, but as he puts it, “people are people everywhere.” One of the biggest adjustments was getting used to tea—a beverage rarely consumed in Spain unless someone is unwell. He also found it unusual how quiet public spaces were in Lithuania compared to Spain’s lively streets.
“It took me a while to realise that when you’re with someone, you don’t always need to speak. Sometimes, you can just enjoy the silence. What a discovery!” he jokes.
In terms of architecture, Ignacio notes two stark contrasts between Lithuania and Spain: wooden structures such as houses and churches, and Soviet-era apartment complexes.
Teaching with Purpose
Ignacio finds immense value in his teaching role at KTU, describing it as both meaningful and engaging. “It’s meaningful because you’re helping young people prepare for life, and engaging because it involves a range of activities—from lectures and research to events like DEC LT or even football matches against the student council,” he shares enthusiastically.
Envisioning the Future: The DEC LT Project
For the past six years, KTU SAF has been running the DEC LT (Design. Engineer. Construct! Lithuania) project, where high school students, aged 14 to 18, propose innovative ideas and solutions for Lithuania’s future. Ignacio explains that the project began when KTU SAF Dean Andrius Jurelionis became acquainted with the UK-based organisation “Class of Your Own,” which had developed the DEC programme in the UK and beyond.
Inspired by the programme, Dean Jurelionis formed a cross-disciplinary team of faculty members and launched DEC LT. Each academic year introduces a new project theme, ranging from designing a James Bond hotel in an abandoned London tube station to envisioning Kaunas’ “Rail Baltica” station.
“Students work on their projects from September until May, and the final results are often truly impressive,” Ignacio says. The focus of the project isn’t just on engineering or architecture but on teamwork and creativity.
“At the start, we tell them they have an unlimited budget, so they don’t restrict their imagination, but their solutions must be logical and realistic. This leads to some incredibly interesting and thought-provoking outcomes,” Ignacio notes.
One of the standout themes was the vision for Kaunas’ “Rail Baltica” station. Students quickly understood the importance of the project, recognising that their task wasn’t just theoretical but related to a real international initiative.
Student Visions for Kaunas
Ignacio reveals that the students’ ideas for the new Kaunas station were diverse and imaginative. Some teams focused on the passenger experience, noting that the station would serve as the first impression of Lithuania for many international visitors.
“Two teams, one from Vilnius and one from Alytus, proposed covering the platforms with canopies shaped like oak and maple leaves—a wonderfully original idea!” Ignacio shares.
Other teams envisioned the station as a social and cultural hub for Kaunas, suggesting facilities like a rest village with a spa, swimming pool, and library. Some students even proposed including a museum dedicated to Lithuanian culture and history or a building housing a “Žalgiris” museum and basketball court.
“When you think of Lithuania, the first word that comes to mind is ‘basketball,’” Ignacio observes. One group even suggested creating a Harry Potter-themed children’s play area, complete with a secret 9¾ platform leading to Hogwarts.
Professional Tools for Aspiring Engineers
The DEC LT project is supported by “Bentley Systems,” which provides licences for students to use professional 3D design and visualisation software. This allows them to experience what it’s like to work as an engineer or architect.
“One team from Alytus produced a stunningly detailed 3D model of the station. Some teams even presented professional-quality videos, with one particularly memorable group from Kaunas giving a virtual tour of their model,” Ignacio says.
Bringing Ideas to Life
Collaboration with businesses and institutions is an integral part of the DEC LT project. Each year, students present their work to experts who provide feedback and guidance to help refine their projects.
This year, experts from organisations like “Lietuvos geležinkeliai,” “Rail Baltica,” and “Bentley Systems” offered their expertise. At the end of the project, these professionals evaluate the students’ work, awarding prizes in categories such as Best Idea, Best 3D Model, and Best Sustainability Solutions. A special “People’s Choice” award is also given to the team with the most votes from participants and teachers.
This year, the KTU Engineering Lyceum team won with their innovative presentation, which included a VR walk-through of their project.
Fostering the Next Generation of Innovators
Ignacio concludes, “The impact of this project extends far beyond Kaunas—it spans all of Lithuania. Our goal is to nurture the next generation, equipping them with the skills to contribute to the country’s progress by fostering creativity, teamwork, logical thinking, and awareness of social and environmental issues.”
With plans to continue his work in Lithuania, Ignacio is committed to developing the DEC LT project further. Smiling, he adds, “The croissants at the presentations are great, but more importantly, I see tremendous value in helping students develop their skills and values, even if it’s in a small way.”
