Sõmeru Community Centre Estonia, Rakvere Building, Estonian Design

Sõmeru Community Centre, Estonia

Rakvere Architecture: Estonian Community Centre Development – design by Salto AB OÜ, Architects

17 Aug 2011

Sõmeru Community Centre

Location: Sõmeru, Estonia

Design: Salto AB OÜ, Estonia

Sõmeru Community Centre is located just outside the North-Estonian town of Rakvere, on an open field near the highway in Sõmeru parish. Instead of erecting different buildings for their many needs, the parish decided to combine multiple functions in one single building. The multipurpose community centre houses the parish administration, a library, and a club with an auditorium.

photo : Martin Siplane

The building was designed to stand apart from the existing built environment, more relating to the field surrounding it. This has been achieved by using colourful straw-like wooden beams attached to the black-and-white concrete facade. The same aesthetics continues in the interior, only this time the slats are hanging freely from the ceiling, creating a lively accent above the black walls.

photos : Martin Siplane

The single-storied building’s many functions are arranged compactly, with enough room for common space and three open courtyards with different characters: the representative front yard with a fountain is meant for formal events and used mainly by the administration, the club has one with a fireplace, and an intimate grass-covered garden is for the use of the library.

Architect Profile

Maarja Kask, Ralf Lõoke and Karli Luik founded Salto in Tallinn, Estonia in 2004. It is an office devoted to architectural practices from interior design and art projects to landscape architecture and urban planning projects. In recent years Salto has gained prizes in 40 architectural competitions in Estonia and abroad.

photo : Karli Luik

Sõmeru Community Centre Estonia – Building Information

Name: Sõmeru Community Centre
Location: Sõmeru, Lääne-Viru county, Estonia
Architect: Salto AB
Authors: Maarja Kask, Karli Luik, Ralf Lõoke, Kristiina Arusoo, Margit Argus
Competition: 2004 (1st prize)
Completed: 2010

Sõmeru Community Centre information from Salto AB OÜ

Sõmeru Community Centre images from FD

Location:Sõmeru, Estonia