Architect: Karmo Tõra | ROK-Projekt
Interior Architect: Aet Piel | Aet Piel Design
Structural design: Marko Tähiste

Photos: Katrin Uusoja, Juta Kübarsepp

Private House located in Vääna, Estonia

Estonian Association of Architects | award for a private house 2021 nominee

A house for two people, more than just the summer house.  A large terrace in front of the house along the entire living room area facing the garden. The living room and bedroom windows extend over the entire height of the space and even higher – the large windows bring the outdoors indoors. Or the entire outdoor area is a large room. The size and location of the house were largely defined by the plot size, cardinal directions and old oak trees.

According to the architect Karmo Tõra –

Oaks – large, powerful, old, wise, close
The sea – can be heard, felt, a five-minute walk
Road – in the north, behind the high sand dune covered with large trees
Forest – around, leafy
Neighbours – far away, no bother
Water – a lot of it, old riverbed, own water feature
Relief – present
Quiet
Light
Sunny
Woman – delicate, but definitely the neck, a local
Man – enthusiastic, the head, hesitant, inquisitive, comes along
Children – grown-up, have their own lives
Life – often here and often there – at least for now
Needs – few
Expectations – average
Possibilities – sufficient
Experience – plenty
Rooms – for living, cooking, sleeping, washing, storing and one more for working and guests
Height
Airiness
Plan – extended as much as allowed by the plot
Views – obviously in every room
Shape – simple
Skin – obviously wooden
Simultaneously indoors and outdoors
Music – not merely but very good
Peace
How much is needed for the best years of our life?
How little is needed for the best years of our life?