Office, Tallinn | Estonia

The Estonian Association of Interior Architects acquired its new premises in a building from 1912 designed by Eliel Saarinen and located on the outskirts of Tallinn's old town. The design of the rooms evolved as the joint project of several association members and is seen as a spatial expression of the discipline which the association represents. 

The new offices combine work, communication and events in an open, flexible and usable structure. Generous room heights, historic windows and the characteristic architecture of the existing building characterise the atmosphere. Customised fittings, long workbenches and meeting tables as well as a floor-to-ceiling library create clear areas of use, without restricting the open character of the rooms. Reticence and precision could be seen in the design. Light wall surfaces and built-in furniture meet dark lamps and furniture which set targeted accents. The herringbone parquet flooring in oak gives the rooms warmth and ties in with the historic building material. Textiles improve the acoustics and contribute to a tranquil working environment. The material and colour selection is subordinated to the existing building and allows the architecture of the house to have a conscious effect. The electrical installation has been conceived as part of the overall concept. Switches and sockets of the LS 990 range are used in white and in Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier shade of ombre naturelle moyenne. The reserved colour shades blend seamlessly into the interior and emphasise the precise, timeless character of the rooms.