Viimsi Secondary School

After its completion in 2006, the solar wheel shaped building for 1300 students was the most modern school building in Estonia. The solution for the school, necessitated by urban sprawl and growth of population in Viimsi, was chosen by a public architectural competition in 2003.

On the facade, concrete panels treated with iron chloride alternate with large glass surfaces; the projecting and receding, slanting and straight walls give the building a mobile and bold appearance.

The diversity and rhythms make the building seem to be of irregular room division and location, at least on first sight. In reality it is well-considered and subject to strict rules. The basic structure of the building is reminiscent of four independent and scattered wings, connected by the indoor atrium. The movement of the sun has been observed in the placement of the four wings of the building. The whole building gives the impression of rotating clockwise, attempting to catch the sun where the activities taking place in the buildings most require it.

With its bare construction, the atrium which connects the four irregular wings of the building, forms a solid background to bustling students. Different wings contain classrooms for the primary, middle and secondary school. They are connected by the canteen, the gym and the festive hall.