Kalaranna 8 is a compact development in the centre of Tallinn, at the seaside. It comprises 12 residential buildings on top of an underground parking level and features a public ground floor to create a cosy streetscape. Drawing inspiration from Europe&#8217;s rich architectural heritage, the design emulates the intimate charm of a quaint Italian village. Imagine narrow streets lined with artisanal boutiques leading to cafes where the soft chatters of locals playing dominoes fill the air. Though densely arranged, each structure embodies our commitment to detail, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. The result? A neighbourhood that feels both timeless and modern. As we approach the final of this ambitious project, we invite you to witness a design philosophy that prioritizes community, heritage, and sustainable modernity. With the Kalaranna 8 quarter, we aim not just to create buildings but to craft experiences, weave stories, and foster communities. Each building has had a proprietary architect from the KTA line-up to make the area more versatile and vary the aesthetic palette of the district. In the heart of the Kalaranna 8 quarter lies a city square, reminiscent in size of half of Tallinn&#8217;s iconic Town Hall Square. Here, every structure stands in harmonious dialogue with its neighbours, creating an intricate architectural tapestry greater than the sum of its parts. The delicate balance between built space and nature is evident. Nestled between these architectural marvels and the vast expanse of the sea is a lush swath of greenery juxtaposed against the untamed beauty of the seascape.

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Kalaranna 8

This is a competition entry for an urban layout of a block on an industrial site. The location is surrounded by mixed-use premises, gradually turning into a residential area. The existing housing in the neighbourhood dates back to the 1950-70s. There is a lovely brick complex right next to our site that was initially meant to provide lodging for the soldiers, erected in 1917. Then it was used for arms industry during the first republic, and in 2016 it was converted into a shopping mall. 
The block consists of 6 buildings sharing an underground garage floor. The layout is straightforward and obvious but being contextually sensitive was not that simple. Eventually, it seems as if the buildings had been there for ages. Three of the houses facing the street are connected by the ground floor retail space to create an active street front.

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Erika 12

The Manufactory Quarter is a conversion project of a former textile industry premises into a mixed-use urban district. The area will accommodate housing, offices, restaurants, retail and services. The public space between the buildings will be completely car-free and designed to enable outdoor activities for every age group. KTA will be designing the reconstruction of the spinning and knitting factory to become a residential building. The public space will be prepared together with the studio Molumba who will be designing a couple of new apartment blocks into the district.

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The Manufactory Quarter

A dense, compact block of housing, office, retail and hotel is situated in the sub-centre of Tallinn city, next to one of the main access roads to downtown. The complex is a strong contribution to the urbanization of the semi-industrial belt around the city. Comprised of volumes of varying height, it is a bold landmark in one of the focal points of the neighbourhood.

Landscape design

Vektor

The new ERR TV Building for the Estonian Public Broadcasting is connecting the existing buildings of the organization into an integral complex. The densely packed block for studios, supporting facilities and editorial offices opens up to the street with a high lobby, that combines with the entrance square. The building is articulated into volumes to blend into the surrounding urban setting. The shape, size and facade patterns of the blocks attempt to match the adjacent buildings with the new one to become a coherent family.