Download 1. Objective of the architectural competition

COMPETITION ASSIGNMENT OF THE ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION FOR
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OF TALLINN CITY GOVERNMENT
Tallinn 2008
1. Objective of the architectural competition
1.1 The objective of the architectural competition is to obtain the best architectural and
urban space solution for the state of the art complex of facilities for the structural units of
Tallinn City Government and Tallinn City Council.
1.2 The winning work of the architectural competition will become the basis for the detail
planning and construction design documentation of the new building of Tallinn City
Government and its close surrounding.
2.Concept of new complex of facilities
2.1 Current situation of structural units of Tallinn City Government and Tallinn City Council
2.1.1 Structure of Tallinn City Government and Tallinn City Council is currently divided between
11 facilities and it makes functioning of Tallinn City Government as an integral organization
difficult.
2.2 Objective of building a new facility
2.2.1 The objective of a new complex of facilities is to strengthen the connection between the
citizens and officials of the city and change the whole service package provided by the structural
units of the city government easily available for the citizens.
2.2.2 The new complex helps to economize the administration costs of administering Tallinn.
2.2.3 The new complex should strengthen the mutual relations of the officials (independent of the
rank of position) and favour exchange of information with the help of well organised room (canteen,
partially public areas for having a rest, also the design of urban space around the facility).
2.3 Summary of formation of the institution
2.3.1 Tallinn Town Council
Establishment time of Tallinn local government, i.e. Tallinn Town Council is not exactly dated. It
might date back to 1230ies when a settlement area occupied by permanent residents of craftsmen
and merchants started to form at the place of lower town of Tallinn. Tallinn Town Council
(consilium consulum civitatis) was first mentioned in the historical document issued by King Eric
IV Ploughpenny of Denmark on 15 May 1248, which granted the Lübeck Charter to Tallinn. From
this time on Tallinn Town Council remained a leading institution in almost all areas of the life of the
city for almost six and a half centuries. The task of the Town Council was representing the city in
the international arena – i .e. conclusion of agreements with foreign governors and cities, taking care
of fulfilling the obligations of Tallinn as a member of Hanseatic League, participating in Hanseatic
Days, conducting commercial negotiations, protecting the rights of the citizens abroad, ensuring
justice and order, responsibility for defence capability of the city, accountancy on real estate of the
city, collection of citizen taxes and other taxes, partial accountancy on costs and revenues of
churches and almshouses, etc. The Town Council kept accountancy, rent, land and citizen registers
and correspondence with other governors in homeland as well as abroad, and worked through the
requests and claims of the citizens.
The Town Council consisted of burgomasters and aldermen. As a rule, all of the latter had a position
in the Town Council. At the latest from the middle of 16th century, a syndic also belonged to the
Town Council. After that there was paid labour employed in the service of the Town Council, who
did not belong to the membership of the Town Council, like parish clerk, bailiffs, janitor etc.
The Town Council co-opted its members by closed elections. The number of aldermen varied from
19 to 25. Initially the position of alderman was an honourable post and the Town Council acted in
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two shifts year by year. Only half of the members of the Town Council worked at a time. They
formed the so called sitting Town Council (sit ender Rat). The half of the Town Council retired for a
year was called old or resting Town Council (alter Rat). Aldermen used their free year for
administering their private business.
In its activities the Town Council followed the Lübeck law, and in addition it issued its own
regulations and orders (bursprake, willküre), which were proclaimed in public to the citizens. When
making most important decisions the Town Council had to take into account the opinion of major
guilds, whereat the most powerful guild was the Great Guild.
The sittings formed the usual working method of the Town Council and as a rule they were held in
Town Hall, in the clerk’s room situated near the market-place (Town Hall Square) or in the Church
of the Holy Ghost, where also the Town Council’s religious services were held.
Change of the seigneur did not cause relevant changes in the activity of the Town Council. So called
regency period, when in 1785 the Towns Law (so called pardon letter to towns) issued by Cathrine
II, replaced the Town Council as a town government temporarily by City Duma, forms a separate
interim chapter in the history of the local government of Tallinn. Former functions of the Town
Council were restated by the emperor Paul I in 1796.
Breaking stage in the history of local government of Tallinn started on 26 March 1877, when by the
ukase of the emperor Alexander II the 1870 General Russian Town Law was established in the
Baltic towns. The Town Council was replaced by the elective city council (Duma) and government
(Uprava). The city council also elected the mayor. The first elections to Tallinn City Council took
place on 24–25 November 1877. The first meeting of the new council was held on 22 December
1877. Oscar Arthur von Riesemann was elected the first mayor of Tallinn. The Town Council
remained only as a court institution.
9. On 9 July 1889 Russian court law was established in Baltic provinces by which Tallinn Town
Council was liquidated. The last festive meeting of the Town Council was held on 17 November
1889.
2.3.2 Mayors of Tallinn
2.4 Future vision
2.5 The purpose is to improve the availability of the functions offered by Tallinn City Government
to the citizens. Mostly it is done by improvement of e-environment, but it is also important to make
the whole package of services available to the citizens and partners at the same place.
3. Tallinn
3.1 Natural conditions
3.1.1 Geographical coordinates – at latitude 59°26´ N and at longitude 24°46´ E.
3.1.2 Landscape factors – coastal shallow of Northern Estonia, flagstone of North-Eastern Estonia,
and clint of North-Eastern Estonia.
3.1.3 Natural resources – clay, flagstone, sand, groundwater, lake sediments.
3.1.4 Water bodies – Gulf of Finland, Lake Ülemiste, Lake Harku, Pirita River.
3.1.5 Drinking water – mostly from Lake Ülemiste, a little from groundwater. Climate – average air
temperature +5.0 °C, rainfall 550 mm, vegetation period 175 days.
3.1.6 Natural vegetation – pine forest, mixed forest at clint. Bogs – bogs of Pääsküla and Tondi,
Suur-Sõjamäe and Õismäe.
3.1.7 Nature preserves – birds reserve Natura 2000 at Paljassaare peninsula, landscape reserves of
Pirita and Nõmme, several parks (the largest is Kadriorg).
3.1.8 Climate – there is transitional temperate climate which is a mix of continental and maritime
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climate. The weather is softer than in inland. Yearly rainfall is about 55–880 mm. Yearly average
temperature is about +5 °C or a little bit higher. The coldest month is usually February, when the
average temperature is -5 °C. The warmest month is considered to be July, when the average
temperature is +18 °C. But major variations from the norms occur quite often (which concerns both
coldness and warmth). Western winds are dominating.
3.1.9 From east the border of the city centre is formed by clint of North-Estonia and at that clint the
biggest park – Kadriorg is situated. Ülemiste and Lasnamäe are situated above the clint.
Scheme of natural and scenic factors of Tallinn
1 Absolute
altitude of plateau Toompea is 47 metres.
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3.1.10 Formation of Tallinn (on the basis of D.Bruns “Tallinn. Development of Urban Construction”; schemes
and photos are from the same book, also the ideas from the article of P. Lehtovuori “Catching the Opportunity of Tallinn
Bay. Formation of an Urban Icon” (Maja 1/2008) have been used.
Development of the urban construction of Tallinn has been very closely related to the development
of sea and ports. Gradual elevation of the ground has changed the coastline so that probably the port
initially formed somewhere at the place of Kalev swimming-pool; a foreland situated in the north
from the old town and protected this way a little bay reaching the coast from northers and northwesters. Favourable geological location (port with Toompea castle) probably caused the creation of
urban community here. In the 13th century the coastal territory was about 2.1–2.6 meters lower than
nowadays and therefore the sea reached about 1 km and in 11th–12th century about 1.5 km more
forward into the city territory; the coastline reached especially far to inland from eastern part of the
old town, from the present area of Kalev swimming pool and Viru square. Only at the place of
Kadriorg park the coastline was approximately at the same place as it is today.
CLAYPONDS
water conduit of the port
water conduit of the city
COASTLINE OF THE SEA
Natural situation of Tallinn in the Middle Ages and its partial change in
the following centuries (by R. Zobel)
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Scheme of the area of Tallinn in the middle of the 16th century (by R. Zobel) Possible location of the ancient suburbs
1—Kalamaja, 2—Köismäe, 3—Kalarand, 4—Tõnismägi, 5—Härmapõllu, 6—Kivisilla, 7—Pleekmäe, 8—Settlement
around the mills near the headwaters of the river Härjapea
Already at very early stage of development of Tallinn some settlement areas were created near the
city – those were the initiations of the oldest suburbs. Their location was mainly determined by
landscape peculiarities and ancient roads went through these places. One of the oldest suburbs was
Kalamaja – area of fishermen, boat-men and pilots, which was situated at north-western side from
the old town at the high coast of the Tallinn Bay. There are different opinions about the formation
time of Kalamaja and other suburbs. Between Kalamaja and old town there was the living area of
rope twisters (Reperbahn) – suburb of Köismäe with its workshops and long funicular railway for
making ropes; the first written notice about it is from the year 1352. It was located between current
Suur-Patarei (earlier called Reperbahn), Vana-Kalamaja and Suurtüki streets and reached the
fortification of the old town. Close to that place, on the low coast of the bay, the oldest fishermen
port was probably situated. With time, Kalamaja, Köismäe and Kalarand grew together and the
urban community was called Kalamaja.
Settling down the territory outside the town, but also the construction of the territory was very slow
at Middle Ages. First, the old town was big enough for very many people to settle down there;
secondly, building outside the circular wall was not allowed because these constructions could
hinder the defence of the town and in case of attack the enemies could use them as shelters. So far
still several requirements from the magistrate to demolish the buildings outside the old town are
known.
Creation of wide entrenchment area around the old town in 16th–17th century made big corrections
into initial planning structure. Whole road network, gardens of the citizens and all buildings located
in that area were liquidated. This also destroyed the paths, which joined the radial roads with each
other and ran near the town circular wall. Instead of them new roads were created, now already
outside the entrenchment area. In front of the bastions there was quite wide and flat esplanade,
where construction works were strictly prohibited. In the end of the 17th century the population of
Tallinn was about 10,000.
From the end of the 17th century the development of Tallinn urban construction can be already
followed by preserved plans. The map of Tallinn suburbs issued by Sigismund von Staden in 1699
consisting of 40 plans gives the most perfect picture of Tallinn in the end of the 17th century. This
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structure has exactly expressed radial system (that very seldom appears at other places) or being
more precise – fan-shaped system, if taking into consideration the coastal location of the town. Most
of the destinations shown on the plan (maybe with little changes) exist also nowadays.
Soon after Tallinn had capitulated under Russian state in 1710 the Russian emperor Peter I initiated
extensive construction works for building new military harbour, Admiralty, Kadriorg palace and
Kadriorg park, which have influenced the further urban construction in Tallinn a lot. In 18th century,
compact urban space on the esplanade surrounding the entrenchment around the old town was
formed. From 1816 (11,902 people) to 1871 (29,162 people) the population of the town increased
almost two and a half times. It can be explained by creation of industrial manufacturing in Tallinn in
these years. Already by the end of the 18th century, the craftsmen manufacturing dominated for
centuries had been lapsed for this time. Town Law issued in 1785 allowed establishing workshops,
manufactories, factories and plants, and setting up work-benches in Tallinn. Several industrial
enterprises were created at the place of the Middle Age mills on the shore of Härjapea river, where
water energy was available. Development of the town was also more intensive at these places.
In conclusion it could be said that during the whole modern history the original planning system has
been continuously developed in Tallinn.
Principally, Tallinn carried the medieval character of its urban construction structure unchangeably
through all centuries until the 70ies of the 19th century.
A great impulse to Tallinn’s development was given by opening the Paldiski–Tallinn–St.Petersburg
railway. Now Tallinn got connection with other districts inside of Russia. Grand opening of the
railway took place on 5 November 1870. In 1887 the railway between Tartu and Valga (the railway
between Valga and Riga already existed) was opened and two years later the railway line Valga–
Võru–Pechory–Pskov was constructed. The main purpose of foundation of the Baltic railway was to
create connection between Tallinn harbour, which seldom covers with ice, and Russian general
railway network. As the railway ran in the east along the clint of Lasnamäe, which height was about
40 meters above the sea, then for reaching the port it was necessary to come gradually down to the
sea. That way such semicircle of railway was formed, which influenced the further urban
construction in Tallinn a lot.
In the last decades of the 19th century and especially in the first decades of the 20th century the costal
area of the town essentially changed. To the coastal area starting from Paljassaare to the barracks of
West Battery a harbour and industrial buildings were built so that the biggest suburb Kalamaja was
cut off from the coast. Only former fish port, i.e. the territory at east side of the barracks remained
its access to the shore.
Earlier the sight of old town had always been opened to the sea. Then the sight had been eclipsed by
the buildings from 1861 of Wiegand factory (current buildings of the factory Ilmarine at the corner
of Põhja puiestee and Suur-Patarei street), further the gas factory (1865) built in the opposite of the
gate Suur-Rannavärav and finally the buildings of the power station.
Tallinn owes its quick development and growth largely to the closed harbours and industry in the
coastal area. But if looking back to the history, quick industrial development influenced the general
development of the town contradictorily: the number of working places increased, the town rapidly
grew and developed, but the whole seaside was relinquished to the commerce, military industry and
transit. Connection with the sea was lost and citizens did not identify Tallinn as a city by the sea any
more. The urban planning and design was also concentrated to the development of the city centre
and suburb areas.
Connecting the city with the sea became actual again in the beginning of 70ies before the Moscow
Olympic Games in 1980.
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Model of the competition design for planning and construction of the
center of the Tallinn City 1972 I – II award. Architects D. Bruns, T.
Model of the design for planning the Center of the Tallinn City.
Kallas,
Engineer
Karu
The model
of the
competition project from the year 1972 (D. Bruns, T. Kallas, R. Karp, H. Karu) and the model of the detailed plan
of the centre of Tallinn from the year 1984 (I. Raud, E. Aurik, T. Nigul, R. Hansberg, I. Fjuk). In both projects the desire of the
architects to open the centre to the sea again can be seen.
After Estonia regained its independence, many costal areas of the centre were partially opened to the
citizens, but mainly these are still nobody’s areas partitioned by roads and parking places.
3.2 Competitions related to the development of coastal areas
3.2.1 Starting from the period preceded the 1980 Olympic Games, clear positions concerning the
issues related to the centre and coastal area of Tallinn have been reached through discussions,
competitions and detailed plans. The biggest and most relevant of them is the idea about a
promenade connecting the Paljassaare peninsula and Pirita city district along the coastline and the
idea about continuous green area around the old town of Tallinn.
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3.2.2 Thanks to several architectural competitions, latest real estate boom and attention by the
media the development plans and dreams about the coastal area of Tallinn have gained a new
dimension. The probability of realization of the plans has increased. Private owners have lately been
very active in developing the coastal area. Starting from the year 2000, several public and restricted
architectural competitions have been arranged. Some of the most important of them are the
following:
Architectural competition for obtaining the best conception of the urban construction of the costal area adjacent to the
centre of Tallinn;
Design contest for spatial planning of the area of Tallinn old harbour;
Architectural competition for volumetric planning of the area of Tallinn Harbour adjacent to the Admiralty;
Architectural competition for Rotermann quarter;
Architectural competition for Skoone bastion;
European 9 contest in Paljassaare harbour;
Design contest for the volumetric planning of the area of Patarei and Seaplane harbour;
Architectural competition for Noblessner quarter.
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Several interesting solutions have been offered for having better connection between the centre and
the old town: integrated traffic solutions, new tramway from Paljassaare peninsula to Kadriorg,
smooth promenades along coastline, road solutions specific to the city, which could support the
coexistence of the vehicles and pedestrians. Areas released from harbour and industry make space
for creation of the socially diverse living and working environment.
3.3 Population, nowadays trends in urban construction As of 1 July 2006 the population of
Tallinn was 400,445 residents. The territory of Tallinn is about 156.3 km2. Lakes Ülemiste and
Harku and Aegna island belong to the administrative area of the city.
3.3.1 Urban sprawl – living areas are moving out from the city centre; outside of the city the areas
of one-family dwellings are growing. Therefore the city population decreased during the period of
1989–2000 about 16%. Important factor in this was the emigration of Russians to Russia.
3.3.2 Average lifetime of people is growing.
3.3.3 Usage of vehicles is increasing.
3.3.4 Industry moves outside of the city.
3.3.5 The number of the residents working in service sector is growing.
3.4 Tallinn is divided into eight administrative city districts:
Haabersti, Mustamäe, Nõmme, Kristiine, Põhja-Tallinn (Northern-Tallinn), Kesklinn (centre),
Lasnamäe and Pirita.
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Population as Density per 1
City district of 01.01.2003 km²
Notes
Haabersti
35,557
1,912
The so called sleeping area consisting of typical apartment blocks was
built in Õismäe in the period from 1968 to 1970
Kesklinn
(centre)
42,196
1,507
Old town and the area inside the railway circle, historically sensitive
area
Kristiine
28,623
3,045
Area between Endla and Paldiski streets, garden-city, a little bit of
industry
Lasnamäe
109,516
3,651
Construction of new “sleeping area” consisting of typical apartment
blocks was started in the period of 1973–1978
Mustamäe
62,993
7,874
Most of the new apartment blocks in the new “sleeping area” were built
in the period of 1959–1972
Nõmme
35,925
1,283
Former summer-houses area, nowadays garden-city, in 1940 was merged
with Tallinn
Pirita
9,348
499
Former summer-houses area, nowadays garden-city
PõhjaTallinn
(NorthernTallinn)
53,696
3,103
Former industry workers community, 2 areas of cultural and
environmental values, consists mostly of wooden apartment buildings
Total
377,890
2,392
In quality, thoroughly thought through planning of the costal area into socially diverse, well related,
urban environment with high density, the possibility to stop the extensive consumption focused
lifestyle propagating extension and urban sprawl should be seen.
4. Competition area and surrounding urban space
4.1 Location
4.1.1 The competition area is located in Northern-Tallinn, next to the City Hall, near naval harbour,
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in the immediate impact area of the old town and Tallinn Harbour. Relief rises slightly towards the
inland. Difference of heights in the competition area is about 1.5 metres.
4.1.2 The addresses of the planned complex of buildings are Põhja pst 33, Põhja pst 33a, Põhja pst
31a and Mere pst 20b.
4.2 Surrounding urban space
4.2.1 Gulf of Finland
4.2.1.1 Gulf of Finland. The width of the gulf reaches to 130 kilometres in the middle of the gulf.
The depth is over 100 metres. Among others, the islands Naissaar, Suursaar and Kotlini are situated
in the gulf. The rivers with the biggest flow discharging into the gulf are Neeva and Narva. The
salinity of the gulf is up to 6 per mille in the western part of the gulf, towards eastern part the
salinity becomes continuously less.
4.2.2 Tallinn Bay
4.2.2.1 Tallinn Bay is the biggest bay of the Baltic Sea which has connected different city districts
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of Tallinn with each other and influenced the development of the infrastructure of the city through
the whole history. Extensive construction plans along the coastline of the Tallinn Bay influence the
functionality, structure and identity of the whole city. By brief analysis the mainland areas near the
Tallinn Bay competition areas can be divided into two:
1) The coastline from the competition area to Paljassaare is characterized by nearly continuous
industry area and harbours, which are surrounded by dwelling areas from inland. Actually next to
the planning area, Kalamaja wooden apartment buildings area of cultural and environmental value
begins. The area of Kalamaja consists of simple rental houses built mainly in the period of 1910–
1940. Its biggest value is the original industry workers district with unchangeable full structure. The
houses are mostly two- or three-storey wooden buildings. Taking into account the architectural
peculiarity and integrity of the area, the district of Kalamaja has been determined in the
comprehensive plan of Tallinn as the area of cultural and environmental value. In connection with
the last years’ improvement of living standards, the area has been settled down by financially more
secure people, the area has been maintained a lot and the reputation of Kalamaja as a living area has
risen.
2) The impact area of the harbours in the centre of Tallinn, City Hall and old town is currently
characterized by simple new buildings, harbour structures and traffic assemblies. The relevant
keyword here is the traffic between Tallinn Harbour and the old town, and between Tallinn Harbour
and the cit centre. The most integral new development work near this area is the Rotermann quarter.
The promenade area meant for pedestrians and light traffic and passing through the actively
developing district should continue in the future with the boulevard partitioned with parks and
connecting Pirita with the city centre (was built in 1980 for the Olympic Games).
4.2.2.2 New administration building of Tallinn City Government will become the identity creator of
the area and the accelerator of the development of urban construction. The development of the
costal areas could be considered as an alternative to oppose the urban sprawl and the vehicles
centred environment.
4.2.3 Old town of Tallinn
4.2.3.1 The special value of the old town of Tallinn mainly consists of its medieval environment
and structure, which has remained until nowadays and which has been lost from other capitals in
Northern-Europe. In the old town of Tallinn the network of streets and the borders of plots formed
in the period of 11th–15th century still almost completely exists, and lots of buildings constructed in
the 14th and 15th century are remained in original size until now. All relevant mission and sacred
buildings, but also lots of residential buildings of the citizens and merchants together with barns
have been retained in their main medieval form. It can be said that Tallinn is one of the best and
most completely retained medieval city in the Europe, being the real treasure of Estonian
architecture. From 1997 the old town of Tallinn belongs to the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
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4.3 Buildings in surroundings. The buildings in the surrounding urban space are of multiusage.
Põhja pst 27,
Põhja pst 29,
Põhja pst 31,
Põhja pst 27a
In the west from the competition area the Cultural Cauldron, which is an
incubator of the creative fields is situated. The centre supports different types of
art, creative business and the activities related to environmental protection. For
getting further information about Cultural Cauldron, click here. The chimney,
dock and the administrative building of the previous Tallinn power plant and the
gas collector of the previous Tallinn gas station, which are all under protection
as architectural monuments are located in the plot of the Cultural Cauldron.
Mere pst 20
In the north-east from the competition area the City Hall designed by Raine
Karp and Riina Altmäe (national architectural monument reg. no. 8781) is
located. Tallinn City Hall is a cultural establishment with a hall with 4300
places for concerts, theatre and conferences, ice arena and cafes. Its first name
was V. I. Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports. The City Hall was completed in
1980 for Moscow Olympic Games. In creation of the building, keeping the view
opening from the sea to the old town skyline was considered important. As
during construction of the building it was not possible to liquidate the railway
branch taking to the port, the building has also been a bridge over the railway
for the pedestrians. The closeness of the building and the walls covered with
grass forming the inclined planes make the building related to the bastions from
Swedish times locating in the neighbourhood. Tallinn City Hall achieved Grand
Prix at the biennial of Interarh-83 and the gold medal from the President of the
International Union of Architects and in 1984 the national award of the Soviet
Union; therefore the City Hall belongs to the list of objects protected under
heritage conservation.
Now it has been planned to build conference rooms instead of the ice arena, and
fair and exhibition room instead of the pools of cooling water.
Sadama tn 1
On the other side of the square planned in front of the main stairs of the City
Hall, new administrative building of Tallink designed by the architectural bureau
Meelis Pressi Arhitektuuribüroo OÜ will be built.
4.4 Overview of landscaping
4.4.1 In the north of the plot, at the address of Põhja pst 20b, a parking ground is located, which
parking spaces are separated from each other by regularly planted oaks. The oaks are also growing
in the northern side of the plots at the addresses Põhja PST 33 and Põhja pst 33a. The green-area to
be retained can be also found in the territory of Cultural Cauldron.
4.5 Recommendations for retaining the existing green areas, their maintenance and
completion; recommendations for planned green area
4.5.1 It is recommended to use the existing green areas as much as possible in working out
complete conception of greeneries.
4.5.2 Depending on the conception of the solution it is strongly recommended to create a city
square between the city government building and new administrative building of Tallink in front of
the City Hall, and to the northern side of the competition area (Mere pst 20b) it is recommended to
create a city park along the coastal line separating the promenade. According to the quarters and
location of the buildings the city square will remain opened for the midday sun, and the city park for
the evening sun.
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4.6 Transport and traffic
4.6.1 International transport
4.6.2 International transport. The plot is located about 500 metres from Tallinn Harbour, 4.7
kilometres from Tallinn Airport, about 500 metres from acoustic port (at the seaside part of the City
Hall), 1 km from the railway station and 2.7 km from bus station. Connection of the competition
area with transport terminals is good.
4.6.3 City transport, public transport
4.6.4 The competition area is located near the important highway – Põhja puiestee, which creates
presumptions for good public transport connection with other districts of the city. Along Mere
puiestee the tramway lines connecting Kopli with Ülemiste and Kadriorg run. The closest bus stop
is located about 170 metres away from the planned complex of building (in front of the Cultural
Cauldron at Põhja puiestee).
4.6.5 Timetables of the public transport are available on the webpage of Tallinn.
4.6.6 Cycle tracks
4.6.7 Considering the overloaded roads network of Tallinn it is clear that cycling transport will have
very special and favourable position in development of Tallinn in the future. This should also be
considered in competition works. Next to the competition area, planned international cycle track
runs. Developed cycle tracks are located in Tallinn as follows. It is important to create high-quality
cycle tracks along the seaside promenade of Tallinn.
4.6.8 Surrounding traffic scheme
4.6.8.1 At the South-Eastern side next to the competition area a plot of land is located that formerly
belonged to the railway (same destination) with the overtaking corridor of Kalamaja. In competition
work, abandonment of the idea of the junction on the ground (as highway) should be considered; a
solution of an overtaking corridor as underground corridor should be considered as an alternative.
For increasing the density of street network and dispersion of traffic it is still recommended to plan
a two-way street to the approximate route.
4.6.8.2 In the green area between the competition area and old town the crossing facilities
uncomfortable to the pedestrians are dominating. The next scheme illustrates the picture about
existing roads and planned Kalamaja overtaking.
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4.6.8.3 In this competition workit is recommended to make proposals about improving the
connection between competition area and old town by changing the area friendly to the pedestrians
and light traffic.
4.7 Restrictions of heritage conservation
4.7.1 The planned area will remain in the protected zone of the buildings of Cultural Cauldron and
the protected zone of City Hall declared as an architectural monument by the regulation of the
Minister of Culture (forming at the same time a part of Kalamaja built-up area of cultural and
environmental value). The radius of the protected zone of architectural monuments is 50 metres. In
case on planned buildings it is important to guarantee the view on the architectural monuments.
Relevant watching directions and corridors
4.7.2 The height of the main volume of the new building of city government must not be higher
than the height of the City Hall (24 metres form the ground, comes from the watching directions
shown in previous scheme). The higher possible tower like part of the Town Hall can reach over
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this.
Impact zone of the objects under heritage conservation and the area of cultural and
environmental value
4.8 Utility networks
4.8.1 The area is connected to the city gas and water networks (in Põhja puiestee and from the
destination of City Hall). On the axis of the City Hall, near the border of the east side of the
competition area there is a big sewer main pipe in the depth of approximately 8 metres.
4.8.2 Power supply. The substation must be designed into the volume of the building. Architectural
solution should guarantee free access to the substation 24 hours a day.
4.8.3 Sewerage for rain water does not exist in the surrounding streets at the moment; it is
recommended to channel the water into soil of the plot and use water absorptive roofs (for example
roof with greenery) in the built-up area or apply the system for collecting rain water from the roofs
(in toilets etc). Superfluous rain water will be directed to Tallinn Bay, if needed.
4.9 Soil condition, engineering geology
4.9.1 According to the plan made in the period of 1994–1996, the soil consists mainly of the
marine sediments (sand + clay) and of the unknown filling. Sea water is approximately at the
depth of 1 meter; therefore the underground floors have to be built as a caisson.
5.Requirements for the design of the new administration building of Tallinn City
Government
5.1 New administration building of Tallinn City Government must be:
5.1.1 Easily accessible;
5.1.2 Spacious and full of light;
5.1.3 Functional;
5.1.4 Ecological;
5.1.5 With comfortable microclimate;
5.1.6 Secure.
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5.2 The administration building of the capital of the Republic of Estonia has to fulfil the functions
of promoting environmental awareness and educating people by demonstrating different energy
saving solutions to the citizens. The building has to be designed as the building of low use of
energy. For this purpose the building has to be:
5.2.1 Very well insulated;
5.2.2 With very good airtightness;
5.2.3 Designed and constructed without thermal bridges;
5.2.4 Position and quality of windows has to enable passive usage of solar power (triple sealed
glazing units are mostly used, which outside glass reflects the thermal radiation back to the inside of
the building, or double elevation systems). For decreasing the cooling and ventilation costs it is
recommended to avoid the fall of direct solar radiation to the windows in summer.
5.2.5 It is necessary to use a heat exchanger of high efficiency (60–85% of discharged ventilation
heat will be directed back to inner energy circulation with incoming air).
5.2.6 The design solution has to be guided by the principle of sustainable development. Economical
and environment friendly building and finishing materials and economical maintenance and waste
removing systems has to be used in the building (one possible approach for designing a building
with low energy consumption is the usage of passive house conception). For more information see
the webpage of Tartu University.
5.3 Access by bicycle and on foot
5.3.1 The building is planned for pedestrians and cyclists.
5.3.2 There arises a possibility to build a pavement from Vana-Kalamaja street with the direction to
the sea and with the connection to the seaside promenade. Public access to the seaside promenade is
to be ensured. According to today’s plans the promenade will continue in Noblessner quarter and
Kalamaja park, continuing from there to Paljassaare peninsula in the future.
5.3.3 Ways for movement inside and outside the building have to be logical and conveniently meet
the moving requirements of disabled people (those working in the building as well as the visitors)
(More about standards see from here).
5.3.4 To solve the driveways and ways for light traffic; access to the port and coastal track.
5.3.5 Connection of the building with coastal promenade should be ensured by the way for light
traffic along the left side of the City Hall.
5.4 Access by car
5.4.1 The competition area can be accessed from Sadama street and/or from Põhja puiestee (to
Rumbi street, which runs under the City Hall; city government has not planned the traffic there for
now).
5.4.2 Technical solution for the access can be changed, if the necessity is justified.
5.5 Requirements and recommendations for working out the parking solution
5.5.1 Parking of the vehicles of the planned complex of buildings have been planned to the own
plots (preferably in underground parking lot, to 2 floors underground) and if necessary, under the
square in front of the City Hall.
5.5.2 In the competition assignment the parking is to be solved according to the standard, according
to the standard of the Tallinn city centre, considering the approximate volume of the building
approximately 250 parking spaces (about 6250 m²).
5.5.3 To ensure enough parking spaces on the ground for taxis and a parking space for VIP visitors.
5.5.4 Underground parking lot will remain in joint use for new Tallinn Town Hall, City Hall and
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Cultural Cauldron.
5.5.5 To find solutions for turning the parking lots located on the ground environment friendly.
Parking spaces located on the ground should be partitioned by high greenery.
5.6 Construction area, height restrictions
5.6.1 The main volume of the building should fit into the so called “envelope” worked out by ARS
Projekt OÜ. Attention! In case of justified urban construction reason this requirement is not
binding.
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5.7 Fire safety
5.7.1 Requirements and measures are specified in the regulation no. 315 of the Government of the
Republic of 27.10.2004 “Fire safety requirements for buildings and their parts”.
5.7.2 Fire resistance class: TP-1.
5.8 Other requirements and recommendations
5.8.1 The main entrance of the building should be designed to open towards the new city square in
front of the main stairs of Tallinn City Hall.
5.8.2 The main entrance of the building must be controllable (the entrance for the visitors of the
parking place should also open to there).
5.8.3 There must also be separate entrances for city officers.
5.8.4 Entrances to the public rooms should go through the controllable main entrance of the
building.
5.8.5 On some upper floor of the building there could be a café and/or restaurant with the sight to
the old town and sea. The surface of the roof of the building should be partially opened for the
citizens as a sight platform.
5.8.6 The competition work should give the future vision of the usage of the promenade.
5.8.7 It is recommended to use high and low greenery inside and outside the designed building. It is
also recommended to design partial roof greenery for the building.
5.8.8 In the scope of the competition work the solution for greenery and little forms of the planned
immovable should be presented.
5.8.9 Inside or near the building there has to be a closable and user friendly free of charge cycle
parking for citizens and city officers (for joint use of the City Government building, Cultural
Cauldron and City Hall).
5.8.10 The windows of the offices for officers should be generally openable.
5.8.11 Corridors of different floors should be separated with a card system.
5.8.12 Ventilation equipment must be planned to the volume of the building. Because of the
underground parking it is necessary to consider quite powerful ventilation equipment!
5.8.13 Containers for collecting municipal waste should be planned to the volume of the building
into special waste room (preferably on the basement floor).
5.9 Space planning
5.9.1 Location of the departments in the building must be grouped according to the fields
administered by the vice-mayor.
5.9.2 Room solutions should be simply modified within a unit.
5.9.3 City Planning Department, Cultural Heritage Department, Land Issues Department and
Municipal Engineering Department must be logistically well connected to the archive.
5.9.4 City Planning Department and Cultural Heritage Department should be located close to each
other. The area calculated per person in the room program also includes the area of entrances
(corridors) (8 m² per person in the room), but does not include the area of bigger rest areas, atriums
and other public areas inside the building.
5.9.5 Space requirements per person in the room program also take into account the direct entrance
like a corridor, but do not consider bigger atriums and other rooms in general use. See annex “Room
program”, column E.
5.9.6 General rooms, ancillary premises and parking spaces meant for usage by all employees are
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added to the room program.
Approximate location of the building on the ground; spread out room program (light) and parking lot
(dark)
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