Nominee for the Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in Architecture 2024
Architecture
Ott Alver, Alvin Järving, Mari Rass, Lisett Eist, Kaire Koidu, Jõnn Jooniste, Andreas Krigoltoi (Arhitekt Must)
Interior architecture
Kadi Karmann, Mari Põld, Maria Stokkeby (T43 Sisearhitektid)
Landscape architecture
Mirko Traks, Karin Bachmann, Juhan Teppart, Uku Mark Pärtel, Kristjan Talistu (KINO maastikuarhitektid)
Structural design
Ivar Muuk (Inseneribüroo PIKE)
Project Lead
Liina Mürk (Infragate)
HVAC
Infragate
Electrical work
Jaanus Vatter (AXYS)
Fire safety
Janek Floren (Tuletark)
Commissioned by
Hiiumaa vald
Construction
Ehitus5ECO
Total area
2490m2
Design
2019–2022
Completed
2023
Photos
Tõnu Tunnel
Location
Uus tn 4, Kärdla

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The urge towards outdoor spaces

The old building with its long corridors, linear study blocks and dark interior no longer met the needs of the school. It was also situated along the street without taking advantage of the full potential of the plot. The local government organised an open architecture competition including the demolition of the Soviet building. The new layout in the brief was largely based on the minimum area requirements making the interior space highly compressed.

A natural classroom extension

The new solution sought ways out of the limited indoor space by activating the outdoor space. The courtyards between the scattered ground floor volumes were covered with glass proposing a new typology – an intermediate space functioning as an extension of the indoor space. The courtyards can be accessed directly from the classrooms and the public area thus overcoming the conventional but human comfort threshold. Typical of Hiiumaa, there is no need to worry about your front door although the area around the school is in full use.

Sensory diversity

The landscaping and planting boxes activate, enrich and steer the activities. The outdoor space can become a place to spend the breaks where the rules are more relaxed than indoors. Also the smells, sounds, temperature and light are different, allowing to diversify the sensory experience of the school day.

Text by: Ott Alver