Our conceptual design, which we titled ‘Kulg’, was one of 36 submitted to the open architectural competition for a new building for Haapsalu City Government – one of the highest levels of participation in any competition in recent years.
Our conceptual design, which we titled ‘Kulg’, was one of 36 submitted to the open architectural competition for a new building for Haapsalu City Government – one of the highest levels of participation in any competition in recent years. In the jury’s assessment, our entry demonstrated a persuasive methodicalness in its creation of architecture, finding a rhythm for the building from the existing police station. They praised both the layout and scope of the main block, but felt that the gradual shift in wall angle on the 3rd floor engendered a sense of the domino effect. Overall, they found the design to be a graphically attractive and complete piece of work.
The new building is in an eye-catching and highly visible location, in connection with which its front section (abutting Lossiplats plaza) stands tall and presentable, forming a three-storey rectangular wing. The two-storey wing running along Väike-Mere Street at the rear of the complex is longer and more rustic in nature. The route there winds its way north to the seafront promenade.
The facade was inspired by an international timber conference held in Innsbruck and the Tyrol Kaufhaus (a building designed by internationally renowned architect David Chipperfield), which is similarly situated within a sensitive urban structure of historical value.
The city government building we designed was to be made from structural timber, and the architectural direction that Sirkel & Mall is taking is to create more buildings using solid timber because of its sustainable, eco-friendly, feel-good qualities.
Sirkel & Mall would like to thank AIMM Architects for being so great to work with!.
