The competition for the Estonian National Stadium was a 2-phase public procurement where our entry was shortlisted for the 2nd stage and prized as the 1st runner-up. The stadium would be used for Estonian national Song and Dance Festival as the main arena for dancing events, as well as for sports. Our design is based on a concept of powerful entities comprising of small and light elements &#8211; like a tribe or a family being made of its members and the relations between them. So the strength of the roof is coming from the coordinated tensile cables that visually combine into a structure of a tree/plant. In the same way, the torch of the stadium is formed by the combined lights of smaller flame beams. Thus we attempt to reflect the resilience of Estonian nation &#8211; instead of a single monolithic core, the power is accomplished by a combination of multiple small elements. 
The tensile-compressive ring of the stadium roof is made of laminated timber. Thus we have designed the worlds largest chariot wheel. This figure draws its power from the Fenno-Ugric mythological world-wheel.

Team

Kalev National Stadium

The sports complex is situated in a Soviet-era residential area – Lasnamäe – and is one of the first buildings that intended to revitalize the area. The competition was held in 2012, and KTA Architects won it.
Architecture:
Because of the volume of Tallinn Arena being considerably more prominent than the neighbouring buildings, it was essential to downscale it with a patterned facade. Inspiration for Tallinn Arena’s window rhythm comes from ice crystals. After the sun has set the glimmering lights of the Arena act as an image of various apartment block windows. The articulated and varied distribution of windows gives a feeling as if the building wasn’t a single volume, but as if it´s part of the surrounding urban space and fragmented sets of light spots.
Program:
The building accommodates three skating rinks and a curling hall. The main arena area is spanned by laminated timber trusses that bridge more than 60 metres. Timber trusses help to soften the effects of masculine concrete and black seats.
Interior architecture:
Interior design is in harmony with architectural simplicity and minimalism. Constructive, concrete surfaces are exposed. Cast-concrete contrasts with the wood that covers wall surfaces of public areas and acts as acoustic panels on the ceiling.

Engineering

Builder

Interior design

Landscape design

Photography

Tondiraba Ice Arena

Multifunctional sports hall accommodates a 25-metre pool, children’s pool, ball game hall with three courts, fencing hall, martial arts hall, gym and judo hall. Next to the facility, there’s a football pitch, which is covered by an inflatable dome in the wintertime.
The exterior architecture is characterized by concrete panels that are painted black and have lines of windows that are separated with larch wood panels. To articulate the building, the panels have fake joints, which make dense and sparse grids. Also the darker panels and stained larch wood help in scaling down the building. To avoid overheating, windows are covered with aluminium shade panels.
Interior architecture is functional and simple. Finishes were chosen that would meet the demands of a building which is in heavy use. The main halls are characterized by large CLT girders and concrete is left exposed as much as possible. Personalized iconography was made for the project.