ark magazine (3.2006) ran an editorial and some essays with an overview of Estonian Architecture. So I thought I would do the same, particularly as one of the most important buildings in independant Estonia,The KUMU art gallery, was designed by a Finnish Architect. Also Estonia and Finland are an interesting contrast in terms of Architecture and Urban policies, two culturally very similar countries that are running almost diametrically opposite urban policies. How these two countries compare and contrast is fascinating because of their cultural similarities and their policy differences. Something I will look at in future posts. But for now a quick introduction to Estonian Architecture in recent years which illustrate how different Estonian architecture is from Finnish architecture.

A quick overview of Estonia
Since gaining independance from USSR Estonia has more than any other country in the world perhaps embraced free market economics. That’s the first flat rate tax system in the world and a whole host of other free market policies. Official planning control in independant Estonia has been very weak which has meant an increasingly developer led atmosphere to urban policy. Tallinn for example is developing rapidly outside of the Old Hanse town core. Purely market driven projects without reference to greater social issues are built here like gated communities complete with guards or the destruction of public city space like Viru square taken over by a shopping centre development. But Architecturally my first impression is of a scene which is full of quality and maturing quickly, some of which I’ve included here.

Staking out your Identity.
In starting out as an independant country¹ Estonia is setting up both a commercial and cultural framework. Commercially its free market economics, and culturally its a set of new buildings and organisations to promote an ‘Estonian culture’ and historical viewpoint. The Kumu art gallery by Pekka Vapaavuori is a temple of art to fit the whole of Estonian art into one building. Whereas the Estonian National Museum ‘Memory Field‘ sited and preserving as part of the design an old communist airfield a physical ode to Estonias triumph over communism.

New Architecture
Not just in the big set piece buildings but across the spectrum of projetcs there is some great new work and new architects emerging out of Estonia. In contrast to Finnish Architecture which is perhaps a little intellectually conservative there are some really great projects not afraid of breaking a few rules. I have compiled by no means a full run down but more a representative sample of some recent work in Estonia which is a little more adventurous than its Finnish relation;
Museum of Occupations by Siiri Vallner and Indrek Peil.
Apartment Houses by Kosmos Architects
Semi-detached house in Lucca by Indrek Allmann of pluss Architects.
The work of 3+1 architects
Pärnu concert hall by COO architects

[1] Like Finland Estonia was briefly independant between the two world wars. Also check the
Estonian Architectural Review
Museum of Estonian Architecture
arhlitt
Estonian National Museum.
Article on Estonian housing.