First-year architecture and urban planning students at the Estonian Academy of Arts have designed and created READER, a shelter based on the concept of removal from daily life, and focusing on oneself. Passers-by are invited to enter the shelter and “escape from the real world of problems into the fictional world of books.” And for those who don’t have a book on hand, the structure is meant to evoke the pages of a book through its ribbed wooden structure.

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For the students, building a structure is the first architectural project of the year. Out of 15 designs from student teams, one—READER—was chosen to move forward with construction as a group effort.

The structure is located in the heart of Tallinn in the public eye, so preparation for construction—materials, work techniques, and visitor safety—was of the utmost importance.

READER was constructed over the course of five days out of pine plywood panels, “with the inner winding path formed [from] spruce logs between the panels. The whole construction stands on three beams supported by nine adjustable legs on the ground.”

From the outside, READER appears to be a basic cube; but upon entry, visitors experience the undulating cave-like contours, all with a clear view of the street outside.

On October 6, READER will join the shelters from the past nine years of student work in a grove in Pedaspea, Lahemaa, North-Estonia to add to the growing park of outdoor exhibits.

School: Estonian Academy of Arts

Project tutors: Prof. Andres Alver, Mari Rass (Arhitekt Must), Ott Alver (Arhitekt Must)

Project and building tutor: Jaan Tiidemann

Idea: Liisa Peri

Project team: Liisa Peri, Ann Kristiin Entson, Keiti Lige, Jarmo Vaik

Building team: Reelika Reinsalu, Carolyn Rennu, Liisa Peri, Triin Vallner, Maarja Liiv, Jarmo Vaik, Andreas Krigoltoi, Jekaterina Klishova, Jaana Kraus, Kristjan Värav, Keiti Lige, Ann Kristiin Entson, Laura Pint, Immaanuel Bush, Karmen Silde

Project year: 2015

Location: Harju Street, Tallinn

Photographs: Paco Ulman

Sponsors: The Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Puuinfo, EMPL, The Environmental Investment Centre

News via the Estonian Academy of Arts.