Facade Renovation of Seminari 1 Apartment Building

Location: Estonia, Rakvere Year: 2014 Architects: KARISMA arhitektid Architects and authors: Risto Parve and Kai Süda Collaborators: SIRKEL&MALL OÜ and Energiapartner OÜ Photographer: Tõnu Tunnel The task was to make a typical depreciated Soviet-era apartment building more energy efficient by insulating the facades and expanding and reconstructing the front canopies of the building. In order to modernize the front facade and break up the usual rhythm of the panel house, free-standing white squares have been designed around the windows. There is a field of white surfaces that does not strictly adhere to the division of the floor, the row of windows, and the division of apartments.

The main entrances to the stairwells have also got a playful, but at the same time strong urban design exterior. The planned canopy with side walls is like an archetypal house with a pitched roof, the end wall of which can be entered. The gabled roofs of entrances are similar to those of privately-owned low-rise houses located on Seminari Street. The entrances are designed of wood, the roof is covered with board, the side walls are made of vertical board. Exterior parts of board are coated with pine tar for weatherproofing and pleasant odour experience.

The task was to make a typical Soviet-era depreciated typical apartment building more energy efficient. Insulate the facades and expand and reconstruct the front canopies of the building. In order to modernize the front facade and break the usual rhythm of the panel house, free-standing white squares have been designed around the windows. There is a field of white surfaces that does not strictly adhere to the division of the floor, the row of windows, the division of apartments. The main entrances to the stairwells have also got a playful, but at the same time strong urban design exterior. The planned canopy with side walls is like an archetypal house with a pitched roof, the end wall of which can be entered. Entrances with gabled roofs are suitable for private houses located on Seminari Street, which are also low-rise buildings with gabled roofs. The entrances are designed of wood, the roof is covered with board, the side walls are made of vertical board. All parts of the board are tarred with pine tar for weatherproof and odor experience.