Category: Faculty of Architecture

The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of EKA will bring a number of exciting architects and urban planners, both theoreticians and practitioners from all over the world, to the Open Lectures series in Tallinn this autumn. This semester lecture series will be opened by Erika Henriksson, who will take the stage in the hall of EAA on Thursday, September 30 at 6 pm with a lecture “Architherapy”.

The lecture will be broadcast on EKA TV and it can be watched later together with all previous lectures on the website www.avatudloengud.ee.

Guests of EAA are asked to follow all Covid safety rules and be prepared to prove their infection safety. There is no on-site testing.

Erika Henriksson is a building architect and practice-based researcher working in an intersection between architecture, craft and art.

Her field is altering practices of architecture and reoccurring themes in her work are social and material relations, ethics of care and ways to spatially engage with speculations of life itself.

During the lecture Erika will be presenting the practice and concept of Architherapy which been given form through a four year long explorative and performative process of transforming an old and abandoned building standing next to a rehabilitation clinic in a small rural locality called Järvsö in Sweden

At the moment Erika is finalising her practice based PhD-thesis, Performing Architherapy – About crafting a building practice for caring relations and working on a site-specific spatial installation in the forest of Rena, Norway

The Faculty of Architecture of the Estonian Academy of Arts has curated the Open Lectures on Architecture series since 2012 – each year, a dozen architects, urbanists, both practicing as well as academics, introduce their work and field of research to the audience in Tallinn.

All lectures are in English and free

https://www.erikahenriksson.com

Curators: Sille Pihlak, Johan Tali

The lecture takes place in cooperation with the Estonian Museum of Architecture and is part of the Future Architecture platform 2021. Future Architecture is the first pan-European platform of architecture museums, festivals and producers, bringing ideas on the future of cities and architecture closer to the wider public.

Funded by European Union Creative Europe Programme.

The series is funded by the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

Training School Local Stories and Visual Narratives for international PhD students will take place on September 15th – 17th in Estonian Academy of Arts.

The action proposes an innovative investigation and implementation of a process for developing human understanding of communities, their society, and their situatedness by narrative methods. It particularly focuses on the potential of narrative methods for urban development in European medium-sized cities.

Mark Gottdiener’s public lecture “Postmodern semiotics” will take place on 15th September as part of the Training School seminar “Local Stories and Visual Narratives”.
The lecture will take place at 18.00–20.00 via Zoom and is open to the public in the lobby (A101).

Mark Gottdiener (b 1943) is a professor of sociology at University at Buffalo, specializing in urban sociology. He is called one of the most important Urban Sociologist in U.S.

The Training School in EKA will focus on local urban stories, taking the city of Tallinn as an example. Participants will engage in site visits, analysis workshops, discussions and lectures. Participants will discuss historical, semantical and archetypal settings of the narratives.

Organising team:
Klaske Havik (TU Delft)
Panu Lehtovuori (Tampere University)
Jüri Soolep, Andres Ojari, Tiina Tammet, Irene Hütsi (EAA Tallinn)

The event is supported by the European Regional Development Fund

Mark Gottdiener’s public lecture “Postmodern semiotics” will take place on September 15th as part of the Training School seminar “Local Stories and Visual Narratives”.

The lecture will take place 15.09.2021 at 18.00–20.00 via Zoom and is open to the public in the lobby (A101).

Mark Gottdiener (b 1943) is a professor of sociology at University at Buffalo, specialising in urban sociology. He is called one of the most important Urban Sociologist in U.S.

Training School Local Stories and Visual Narratives for international PhD students will take place on September 15th – 16th in Estonian Academy of Arts. It is organised by EU COST action CA18126 Writing Urban Places.

The action proposes an innovative investigation and implementation of a process for developing human understanding of communities, their society, and their situatedness by narrative methods. It particularly focuses on the potential of narrative methods for urban development in European medium-sized cities. This COST action has 35 European countries as participants.

The Training School in EAA will focus on local urban stories, taking the city of Tallinn as an example. Participants will engage in site visits, analysis workshops, discussions and lectures. Participants will discuss historical, semantical and archetypal settings of the narratives.

Organising team:

Klaske Havik (TU Delft), Panu Lehtovuori (Tampere University), Jüri Soolep, Andres Ojari, Irene Hütsi, Tiina Tammet (EAA Tallinn)

The event is supported by the European Regional Development Fund

Estonian Academy of Arts is launching a new event series called ROHEKA which promotes green lifestyle and sustainable development topics in EKA. The series consists of one-day events taking place once a month, focussing on important topics like waste management, sustainable learning, community, work environment, energy efficiency, etc.

The first event of ROHEKA series will take place this Wednesday, September 1, when EKA will introduce its sustainability principles and share tips for sorting physical and digital waste.

The day starts at 10am with presentations, continues with a playful online waste-quiz and ends with collective cleaning in EKA building. The first half of the event will take place digitally and will be broadcast on EKA TV. Collective cleaning, starting at 12.30, takes place all over the house. We’ll gather in EKA courtyard.

PROGRAMME

10.00 Introduction of the ROHEKA event series (EKA TV)

10.15 Lecture “Green EKA” (EAA TV)

11.00 Introduction of the RING application (EKA TV)

11.15 PAUSE

11.30 Waste quiz – registration form HERE. EKA merch as a prize! (registered users will be sent a link to the online quiz)

12.00 Lecture “Digital Waste” (EKA TV)

12.30 Collective cleaning of EKA building under the guidance of environmental specialist Johanna Vahtra. (We’ll gather in the courtyard)

What should the modern library space offer its user, the 3rd year students of the EAA bachelor’s study of interior architecture ask, and offer a number of spatial concepts at the exhibition opened at the National Library until 31 August. The student projects presented at the exhibition have been created within studio “Public Space”, which was supervised by Jan Skolimowski and Hanna Karits. Public space – in the sense of buildings serving public purposes – is dealt with in the Department of Interior Architecture of EAA every autumn semester, focusing on one or another specific building.

This time the focus was on the Estonian National Library. The building, designed by architect Raine Karp and completed in 1993, will soon be undergoing renovation. During the course, the students researched the spatial typology of library buildings more broadly and took a closer look at the foyer and the 5th floor of the National Library, in particular. Multi-layered ideas and fresh creative spatial solutions were developed that would meet the expectations of the 21st century in the context of people’s needs, the organization itself and the surrounding Tallinn city. The focus was on the values ​​of the existing interior, the basics of lighting and room acoustics both in theory and practice. Ideas of ​​a library as a creative residency, a small village, an active movement space, an urban jungle, a memory place, etc were born.

On an interior architect’s desk, a public space project takes on the meaning of a social space with a physical dimension and a social content. In today’s urban and cultural landscape adapted for consumption, it is critical to relate to spaces on a daily basis that do not require opening one’s wallet. How has the public space changed in the last year, when the doors of almost all public spaces were closed for quite a while? The subject of public space provides an opportunity to think big and dream openly when studying the interior architecture of EAA. The content of the professional studio is to delve into different spatial typologies (incl. the peculiarities of the interior architecture of a large hall) and to critically interpret their functioning in contemporary and future space-time. During the semester, students interact with one specific public building, looking for connections with the architecture of the building, the urban context and new modern users. Until the end of August, all visitors to the National Library have been invited to reflect on the results of one such semester.

We thank:

EKA interior architecture 3rd year students 

Germo Ausin, Silvia Ingver, Sanna-Betty Jaanimaa, Marie Jõgi, Regina Kaasik, Ann-Katriin Kelder, Kertu Kuusemets, Kristiina Püü, Celine-Cathy Raaga, Grete-Loviis Saar, Loviise Talvaru, Linda-Maria Urke

Tutors: Jan Skolimowski, Hanna Karits

Exhibition team: Interior Architecture department, Ann-Katriin Kelder, Grete Tiigiste, Triin Männik

Design: Stella Skulatšjova

Support: Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia

The master students from the Interior Architecture and Urbanism Departments of the Estonian Academy of Arts present their projects on Ida-Virumaa’s living spaces at the White Hall of Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum. The landscapes of Ida-Viru, where distinguishing between the man-made and the natural has become increasingly difficult, conceal hope. They speak of a future different from the one that was planned in the past. That difference, despite the bleak outlook, is still liveable—these are environments of adaptation where a new tale is being made. Students of urban studies and interior architecture were asked to question how various experiences of habitation could be connected to the governance of decline and strategic shrinkage of the built environment. In the beautiful interiors of the White Hall, they present installations, drawings, photos, that represent topics relating to living in declining places, such as preservation, re-wilding and enchantment of emptiness.

The related courses were tutored by Mariann Drell, Kristi Grišakov, Keiti Kljavin and Laura Linsi.

Participants:

Mira Samonig, Mirell Ülle, Janosh Heydorn, Alexander Nenenko, Juss Heinsalu, Ardo Hiiuväin, Triin Juhanson, Veera Gontšugova, Eeros Lees, Þórhildur Guðmundsdóttir, Daria Khrystych, Fernanda Ayala Torres, Semele Kari

Exhibition design:

Mirell Ülle, Juss Heinsalu, Ardo Hiiuväin, Veera Gontšugova, Eeros Lees, Semele Kari

The Urban Studies studio “Preservation: Architecture, Nature and Politics” will conclude with a public presentation of student projects on the 12 of May at 14.00 (EEST).

Preservation has achieved cultural significance as a lens through which various experts have come to imagine how a socially and environmentally sound future might look like. As an approach, preservation has been applied to disparate phenomena ranging from historic neighborhoods and natural environments to democracy and identity.

Through case studies from different parts of the world around topics such as green extractivism, simulated heritage and cultural marginalizations, students have built on the insight that preservation cannot be neatly delineated from various forms of violence and destruction. Their projects experiment with a variety of mediums, from a traditional essay to video, drawings and collages, to examine conceptualizations, debates and practices of preserving architecture and nature, and to ask the following questions: Who decides what to preserve and what to neglect? Who has the capacity to take on this responsibility? Preservation is political because, as with a fruit preserve, the act of preserving transforms the preserved object into something altogether different.

Guest critics: Ewa Effiom (Manchester School of Architecture, UK) and Jonas Žukauskas (Neringa Forest Residency, Lithuania)

Students: Petra Ďurišková, Johannes Growe, Þórhildur B. Guðmundsdóttir, Janosh Heydorn, Malin Hilding, Daria Khrystych, Oleksandr Nenenko, Mathilde Olivier, Dalma Pszota, Mira Samonig, Fernanda Torres

Tutors: Maroš Krivý, Kaija-Luisa Kurik, Sean Tyler

This virtual presentation takes the form of individual presentations alongside a collaborative website launch and is open to the public.

Join in on ZOOM HERE

On April 15, a special issue of Ehituskunst #60: Jan Verwijnen will be presented and a memorial conference will be held.

The access to the conference will be on the Zoom channel from 2 to 6 pm (Times CET+1, Estonia). Pre-registration is not required, presentations are in English.

All are welcome!

The special issue of Ehituskunst focuses on the legacy of the deceased architect and lecturer Jan Verwijnen (1949–2005) in interpreting urban space. The authors of the publication and former colleagues exchange views on the development of urban planning, architectural thought and education, and Jan Verwijnen’s contribution to it.

EHITUSKUNST #60 JAN VERWIJNEN. CREATIVE THOUGHT AND URBAN CHANGE

Link to the event April 15, 2 to 6 pm (Times CET+1, Estonia):

https://zoom.us/j/99727563770

PROGRAM

14:00 Opening

            Andres Ojari, Dean Faculty of Architecture EKA Tallinn

14:10 Introduction to Ehituskunst journal

            Eik Hermann, Editor-in-chief Ehituskunst, EKA Tallinn

14:20 Ehituskunst #60 Jan Verwijnen: Creative Thought and Urban Change

Introduction by the editors of the issue

            Panu Lehtovuori, Professor of Urban Theory Tampere University

            Klaske Havik, Professor Methods of Analysis and Imagination, TU Delft

14:45 Session 1 Creative thought

Talks by authors of the issue and discussion

            Toni Kauppilla, Professor and  Head of the Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Norway.

            Verena von Beckerath, Heide&Von Beckerath architects Berlin, professor Design and Housing, Bauhaus-University, Weimar.

15:45 break

16:00 Session 2 Urban Change

Talks by authors of the issue and discussion

            Pia Ilonen, architect, ILO architects, Helsinki

            Steve McAdam & Christina Norton, Fluid architecture, urbanism, participation, London / Soundings, London

17:00 About the Urban Studies program at EKA

            Maros Krivy, Professor of Urban Studies, EKA

17:30 Discussion and celebration

JAN VERWIJNEN (1949–2005) graduated as an architect from ETH Zürich in 1976. After work in Switzerland and the Netherlands, including a period in Rem Koolhaas’ OMA in Rotterdam, he moved to Helsinki at the turn of the 1990s. In the quickly evolving Nordic and Baltic context, Jan Verwijnen took active academic and societal positions. He reshaped the education and research of interior architecture at the University of Art and Design (UIAH), today part of Aalto University, and initiated the Urban Studies programme at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2004

ELEMENTerial — materialisation of the metagrid
EKA algorithmic timber architecture research group exhibition
Authors: dr Sille Pihlak, dr Siim Tuksam

The exhibition “ELEMENTerial” looks at the elements of architecture. What does a house consist of? In an increasingly digital world, a list of materials alone is not enough. In addition to materials and construction methods, the principles of building construction are increasingly influenced by digital tools and sustainability.

With the exhibition we draw parallels between physical and virtual modularity. The digital world is also built from puzzle pieces – algorithms. Algorithms are rule sets that control digital processes. There are also rules in construction, where, what,t and how something can be built – plans and standards. Different materials and technologies, in turn, set geometric constraints. Looking at all these components as algorithmic modules, creates parallels that are easier to understand.

The exhibition describes alternative creative solutions in factory-produced modular wooden architecture developed in collaboration with engineers and wooden house manufacturers over four years of research, and introduces the ideas and methods behind them.

Dr Sille Pihlak is practicing architect, researcher, tutor and co-founder of the algorithmic timber architecture research group in Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Architecture. Sille has studied interior architecture in Estonian Academy of Arts, architecture in Southern California Institute of Architecture and completed her masters in the University of Applied Arts Vienna. After her studies she practiced as design architect in Morphosis Architects in Los Angeles and in Coophimmelb(l)au Vienna. In 2015, together with Siim Tuksam, they started their own office PART–Practice for Architecture, Research and Theory. PART constructed designs have been awarded for their innovative construction techniques, methods of designing and geometry studies, with latest recognition on high voltage electricity pylon Bog Fox. In past five years, Sille has been an active participant in forestry and timber architecture related discussions, as a believer of inevitable sustainability in construction, her work deals with combining algorithmic techniques with local timber industry.

Dr Siim Tuksam is a practicing architect, co-founder of PART – Practice for Architecture, Research and Theory, and a researcher at EKA faculty of architecture, co-founder of the algorithmic timber architecture research group. Siim completed his master studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in 2013 having spent a visiting semester at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. During his studies he gained experience at various architecture offices, most notably Gehry Technologies in Paris and Coop Himmelb(l)au in Vienna. Since graduation he has been developing his own practice through exhibitions, installations, writings, and architectural projects. Together with Johanna Jõekalda and Johan Tali, he was the curator of the Estonian pavilion Interspace at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2014. In 2015, together with Sille Pihlak, he founded PART to curate the Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2015 main exhibition Body Building. As a researcher and partner at PART he’s been devoted to developing algorithmic tools for the design and delivery of pre-fabricated architecture and the critical discourse of digital architecture.

Graphic design: Robi Jõeleht (Polaar)

Support by: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Architecture, Union of Estonian Architects, Arcwood, Rothoblaas.