ST. PAUL’S CUBE
CONCEPT OF THE BUILDING
The ensemble of Rakvere‘s concert hall consist of two parts - St Paul‘s church and new annex. The concept of annex set as a contrast for the old church building. The new part is like a black square tube, lifted from the ground by transparent glass element, which invites public to enjoy coffee and inner yard. The forms of annex are neutral, underlining significance of 1940‘s building, finish of new annex part (slabs of black stone) let the church to be important part of ensemble. The main facade, outgoing to the square, contains frameless window screen as a connection with a square, side facade plays with a graphic of half-moon windows, resembling the elements of church towers.
CONCEPT OF THE SITE
The area of the competition includes the Rakvere’s St Paul’s Church lot, the traffic circle in front of the church and eastern part of the Vabaduse Park. In this area big traffic circle is not necessary for transport, and the green field in it, is without purpose, so we closed south part of the traffic circle to unite new Arvo Part Hall and the designed square in one peace. It will make this new area to be more useful, people will have new place to spend their free time and new Arvo Part Hall will have a big area for summer events. We apply existing relief to make small terraces with incline. On reinforced grass coat we designed sculpture benches. Wood boards would be used to cover passageways and summer stage. Connection between new concert hall and square would be joined with dark stone pavement. For transport parking there is small area behind the hall, on events time transport will be parked on the near streets and gymnasium parking area. At evening and night time the main area dominant would be illuminated St. Paul’s church and sculpture benches in the square. It will make special mood for this multifunctional public complex.
BUILDING EXPLANATORY
Existing church building on the ground floor has all areas to meet audience and visitors: lobby, cloakroom, restrooms. There is a small music, books and art shop. In the south area of the church there are main dressing rooms for performers with green room near it.
Stairs to the main concert hall are on the right of the lobby (with a stairlift for
wheelchair and stroller). Near the main stairs there is connection with a annex which on the ground floor has cafeteria with cozy inner yard. Also on the ground floor of the new part there is place for utilities and loading room. On the first floor of the church there is the main concert hall with 316 seats and Arvo Part music room. New building has a small concert hall with 160 seats. On the south of annex there is: sound studio, sound and lighting equipment room, piano storage, dance and choir practice hall. On the second floor of church there is main concert hall balcony with 92 seats. On the top floor of annex there is lounge room with a great view to square and smoking room for audience, and in south of the stage there is conference hall, meeting room and office for personal of the whole complex.
TECHNICAL DATA
Allowed new building zone
1425.78 sq.m.
Land area of planned building 723.47 sq.m. Land percent took by planned building 50.74 % Total area 2502 sq.m. New annex area 1528 sq.m. Old church part area 974 sq.m. Volume of new annex 9660 cu. m.