Co-housing in Salme street
Masters thesis project
2024
Tallinn, Estonia
The plot on Salme Street is located in the heart of Kalamaja. The plot area is 2550 square meters, and the main building of the former printing ink industry along with the auxiliary building will remain on the plot. In addition to the presence and structure of the courtyards, the volumes of the buildings in that area are also significant. The plot is situated among the typical “Tallinn” houses of Kalamaja, and the newly designed volumes will also be in a similar scale.
In addition to the existing industrial building, three building volumes are planned. Two buildings share cooperatively owned amenities, such as living rooms, industrial kitchen, co-working areas, two saunas, children’s play area, media room, laundry. In the existing factory building there is also a hybrid office, a workshop, rental space, outdoor kitchen and bike repair area.
The walls on the staircase side of the residential units are openable. This allows residents to maintain their privacy when needed, while also having the option to open up what would otherwise be a private residential unit to their neighbors, thereby opening themselves up to their neighbors as well. As a result, the kitchen can become an open living room. The ability to open the apartments is particularly useful when there is a need to accommodate a larger group at the table, clean, or move. Such flexible living spaces also create opportunities for increased interaction.
