Lootsi Apartment Building with shops

This building was the first proper urbane structure to be erected in the harbor area, setting the trend for bold and elegant solutions. The harbor area used to be a semi-closed industrial area during the Soviet period and only since 1990s has been developed as a modern urban environment in the vicinity of the port and the old town. The architects saw the challenge to create one of the first living rooms close to the port, offering the residents views and air, at the same time to contribute to the public architecturally and urbanistically.

The Y-shaped layout stems from the triangular plot and the aim to avoid large, stuffy volume.
The triangular site was shaped by the planned extension of 4-lane traffic artery. The plot’s location could be described as problematic: set amidst the harbor area and next to a major traffic junction with not much urban fabric around for support.

Young and mainly childless individuals were seen as the target group in such a context, and thus the apartments are compact and efficient with one or two rooms. The light and airy feel emanates from the overall form as well as from the unusual facade materials. The facade materials are chosen to bring in the nature; exterior panel applied with natural wood veneer, spandrel glass printed with pattern of plants, and glass curtain wall which projects human nature in everyday life.