Apartment buildings in the Krulli Quarter

2024 / II-III prize / 3215 m2

Authors: Gert Guriev, Markus Kaasik, Jana Pärn

The architectural identity of today’s Kalamaja has been largely shaped by old industrial buildings and wooden houses originally built to accommodate workers – the so-called “Tallinn Houses.” Located on the edge of the historically significant Krulli industrial quarter, the competition area along Volta Street is bordered on the east by cozy wooden houses and opens westward towards spacious former industrial buildings.

Positioned at the intersection of contrasting typologies, the proposed buildings along Volta Street reinterpret characteristic elements of the Tallinn House in a contemporary manner. The emphasized vertical stairwell volumes at the center of the buildings, the mansard roofs extending to the second-floor level, and the elevated plinth floors blend harmoniously into the residential character of Kalamaja. On the courtyard side, the balconies align into a unified diagonal, with their bold and modern form language complementing the historical industrial structures at the heart of the quarter. This strong and clear design gesture creates a seamless dialogue between the scale of the industrial buildings and the more intimate typology of residential houses.

The renovated former industrial buildings, along with the new commercial and residential spaces, form a cohesive living environment that merges multifunctional public space with a cozy, private atmosphere. The future human-centered and green quarter promotes diversity, mobility, creativity, healthy lifestyles, and security.

The main entrances along Volta Street give the buildings a clear urban “front facade.” On the southern side of the residential complex, a central axis begins, running perpendicular to Volta Street and passing through the Krulli quarter.