Nominee for the Award SMALL of the Estonian Association of Architects 2024
Architecture
Aneth Traumann, Liispet Viira, Roosmarii Kukk, Triinu Amboja, Valerii Krinberg
Structural design
Rasmus Meema
Photos
Evert Palmets
Location
Paide Vallimägi, Arvamusfestivali energilise majanduse ala, 9.08.–10.08.2024

  89

PÕHULA(va) was a straw installation and stage on Order Castle Hill in Paide. It was designed and built by the members of architectural group 1+X as a result of their 15-month research project. The installation was used as a stage in Paide Opinion Festival in 2024. It was also meant to function as a pavilion, gallery and outdoor classroom, providing various uses and attracting various visitors.

The installation is open from all sides to ensure transparency and spaciousness. Two of the panels remained open to allow picturesque views of the Order Castle Hill. Also the roofing material favoured transparency and kept the ambience as bright as possible. With its golden robe, the stage was clearly visible from a distance, while the straw walls invited people to test their sense of sight, smell and touch.

PÕHULA(va) could be taken as a straw prototype of the development project 1+X. To reduce the construction time on site, the wooden frame panels filled with straw were made near Paide and transported to the site where the roof was added. The whole process was a good outlet for young architects to get a feel of the material through practical construction. Building from straw panels allows to move towards circular economy and biogenic materials where buildings do not end up in a landfill but the elements are used in a new construction or to improve soil on the field. Thus also PÕHULA(va), designed as a temporary structure, will find a new life in a new location.

Text by: Roosmarii Kukk