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Photo of the Viljandi State High School taken over the waterfront in summer
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1.Main facade of the Viljandi State High School. Historical School building in the foreground and the extension in the background. 2.Photo of the Viljandi State High School taken over the waterfront.
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The lakeside recreational green area reaches into the interior linking all the public functions of the school both inside and outside.
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Photo over the recreational area in winter.
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Interior photo of the entrance area where the historical Valuoja School and new extension are connected.
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Photo of the model showing the inner structure of the building.
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Interior photo of the public zone of the school. Library, cafeteria, recreational area, open lecture rooms are forming a spacious and well lit common space.
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Interior photo of the inner landscape of the school that follows the terrain of the plot with a view of the Viljandi Theatre in the background.
Viljandi State High School
Salto architects. Viljandi, Estonia
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Name of work in English
Viljandi State High School
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Name of work in original language
Viljandi Riigigümnaasium
Prize year
EUmies Awards 2015
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Work Location
Viljandi, Estonia
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Studio
Salto architects
EUmies Awards 2015 Nominees
Collaborators
Program
Education
Completion
2013
Viljandi State High School combines all high schools in Viljandi. It is located in the extension to the historic Valuoja School, being notably larger than the heritagelisted existing building. The solution is based on the characteristic Viljandi topography and landscape: the new building is placed between the hills along the bank of the pond, at the same time providing a perfect EastWest orientation for the school. Viewed from afar and above the historic building looks vertically dominating, while approached from the base of the valley on the plot the new horizontally directed waterside extension is outlined forcefully, with its presence felt over the entire plot. The spatial emphasis depends on the location of the viewer.
All recreational and sports facilities have been pooled in the lakeside green area. The waterfront scenery reaches into the interiors, linking the public functions of the school (library, cafeteria, recreational area, open lecture rooms) and forming a spacious and well lit common space combining all classrooms, lecture halls and other more enclosed rooms in the school. By combining rooms that can be placed in an open space this creates a large common spatial entity that promotes joint activities and provides an overall view of the entire public space. Size of the site 1.2646m² Size of the building 5.900m²