The document discusses architecture in Estonia from ancient to modern times. It begins with log buildings, which were the main traditional building type and date back at least 2000 years. Country manor houses from the early 20th century are also described. More recently, sustainable renovations aim to preserve historic structures while improving comfort. The future of Estonian architecture focuses on small towns and creating public spaces, as well as smart, energy-efficient designs that reduce environmental impact.

1. Architecture in Estonia
Martin Belan
Johanna Roos

2. ● Estonia is a must-see destination for
anyone interested in European heritage.
● Architectural monuments from medieval
to modern age are in top notch condition
and open to visitors in the form of
museums, hotels, restaurants and bars.
● Estonian architecture from the recent
decades, represents a new, forward-
looking and confident Estonia.

3. ● Main type of building is log buildings (ristpalkmaja), which
historians believe to have been built at least 2000 years ago
● In vernacular peasant architecture, both dwelling houses and
outbuildings typically were built of round logs until the
middle of the 19th century, while hewn logs were used for
manors and public houses.
Traditional architecture in Estonia
1. Log buildings

4. Log building

5. farmhouse kiln room
farmhouse storeroom

6. Log buildings (ristpalkmaja)
● Foundations were generally
primitive, with walls supported by
piers of quarried stone, infilled with
loose stone, rubble, clay or sand.
Often outbuilding foundations were
not infilled at all.
● After the second part of the 19th
century, lime mortar use became
widespread even in rural areas, and
henceforth the quality of the
foundations increased and the
lifespan of the buildings lengthened.

7. ● Dowels or keys placed at intervals along the logs helped bind larger walls.
To keep walls in plane at door and window openings, plank jambs
(tender) were grooved into log ends at the openings. Side jambs typically
cut 5 percent short allowed wall logs to shrink and settle.

8. Traditional materials - main material is a wood
burnt bricks,
granite stones,
logs (wood
material)
limestone,
logs (wood material)

9. ● In Estonia wealthy and spacious dwelling houses that have been
built apart from the ranch houses are called country manor
houses. Mansion, schools and houses from city have been taken
for an example. The name häärber comes from German
“Herberge”.
● The country manor houses had a practical purpose, buildings
also had a great symbolic meaning- through which the landlords
expressed their wealth and social status.
2. Country houses (country manor houses) in
the beginning of 20. century, 20-30ties

10. ● Over the time, mansion architecture became more diverse,
reflecting the owner's personal taste, perceptions,
ambitions, economic opportunities, and etc. Demanding
landlords let their houses to be designed by architects.
● Country house had 4-6 living rooms, including a large hall
or guest room and family room, which can be considered
as the main features of the mansion. The mansion also
had a dining room, a master bedroom, a kitchen, several
lobbies and pantries, almost always a porch, less often a
writing room, or a master's office, and even less often an
interior toilet and bathroom.

11. residential development
is reflected in a change
of mindset.
So it's not a surprise that
after the Estonian
peasant families were
freed from the
dependence of the
manor.
Different farmhouses
appeared in villages,
instead of the old smoke
houses.
The most prominent
among them was called
the country manor
houses by the example
of the manor.

13. Sustainable architecture in Estonia
An original building vs a renovated building

14. What is sustainable renovation?
● Sustainable renovation is primarily an opportunity of
improving comfort and wellbeing of users while lowering
environmental impact of buildings
● In Estonia the general rule of sustainable renovation is
to maximize the preservation and display of authentic
structures of buildings.

15. Sustainable renovating in Estonia
● Renovating wooden houses;
● Making effective use of old buildings
● Developing a Smart City while preserving the old valuable
limestone buildings

17. ● Fahle House, flats and
offices
● KOKO Architects, 2006
● Old cellulose and paper
factory built in 1926
● limestone, arch. Erich
Jacoby

18. NO99 Straw theatre, Salto AB
Architects, 2011

19. Narva Kolledž — KavaKava Architects, 2012

20. ● It is estimated that by 2050, 68% of the world's population will
be living in cities.
● because of this small towns are becoming smaller and smaller.
● There are many small towns with empty “ugly houses”…..
● The architects answer is to create more quality public spaces.
The future of Estonian architecture

21. By the 2020 there will be 15 new public spaces in small
towns in Estonia
Põlva uuendatud keskväljaku
avamine. Foto: Aron Urb/ EV100

22. Rakvere Pikk tänav, 2019

23. The sustainable architecture for us is..
● ….. well designed and original buildings, which are
sustainable in the future;
● …..well designed wooden houses
● …. well designed houses from reused materials and well
renovated old houses

24. Estonian Wooden Houses in Scandinavia

25. Nordic Houses KT OÜ in South-Norway, Ognas. Architects Mari-Liis Vunder, Olavi Kukk,
Kristjan Tõlk Trilog Studio OÜ.
VIDEO - https://www.nordichouses.eu/majad/nordic-compact

26. Unique modern log building type house, 300 m²
(architect Mikk Mutso)

29. Hand-made log building 2015 (Architect Reio Treier )

31. Example of the renovated (old boat barn) wooden
summer house in Pärnu County, in Matsirand
Wooden House 2019
Award Winner (arch. Hanna
Karits ( Annes Arro ja Mart Tamm)

32. Used are traditional materials as wood and limestone,
reed mats on the walls

33. ● …. a smart architecture with
alternative heating system
● …. a passive houses reducing home
energy to 90%
● Install modern heat pumps to heat
and cool your home;
● Installing photovoltaic solar panels
on your rooftop;
● Install solar thermal panels on your
roof;
● consider wind power.
The sustainable architecture for us is..

34. This is the first internationally certified passive house in
Estonia

35. ● Roof gardens - Another eco-friendly housing design component, green roofs help
reduce the influx of heat, are a great way to add oxygen producing plants and the
perfect way to battle the adverse effects of urban sprawl in residential communities.
● Harvest and recycle rainwater - You can make your houses sustainable by
installing rain harvesting systems so you can catch and reuse the water to reduce
your official water consumption. If you have an older toilet, you rush off
approximately 11-26 liters of water every single time you flush the toilet.

36. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
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