Project:
2023–2024
Building Area:
3,080 m²
Project Authors:
Grupa 5 Architekci, Sirkell & Mall, STOPROCENT Architekci, AGA
The competition entry focuses on the spatial development of the Fishing Port in Tallinn. Currently undergoing extensive revitalization, the area covered by the project is part of a waterfront promenade in central Tallinn. The urban concept aims to open Estonia’s capital to the sea. The existing fishing port, an informal spot for fish unloading and trade, is located in the city center, offering views of the Creative Hub and the Old Town. Its immediate neighbors include the Linehall Sports and Entertainment Arena, built for the 1980 Summer Olympics, and the Estonian Museum of Contemporary Art. Adjacent to the site, the Kalasadama 10 hotel and Creative Hub are under construction. Across the port basin lies the Kalaranna residential district, with other modernized port areas connected by a coastal promenade.
The competition design proposes the development of the fishing port, including buildings for the port captain’s office and a fish market. A marina for yachts and motorboats, as well as a movable pedestrian bridge ensuring the continuity of the waterfront promenade, will be integrated into the port basin.
The design envisions a multifunctional solution with two interconnected public and commercial buildings, integrated with the coastal promenade, outdoor terraces, pools, and a plaza. The concept emphasizes a horizontal spatial arrangement that seamlessly unites the buildings' interiors and exterior spaces. The functional and spatial layout descends in layers and terraces from the northern corner of the site toward the center of Tallinn to the south. The tallest elements, such as the roofs and terraces of the captain’s office building, slope down toward the pools and terraces covering the fish market on the ground floor. The yacht port area blends with the plaza space.
The site plan and elevations incorporate geometric forms inspired by fishing nets. This motif is evident in the structural layout, paving patterns, facade geometry, and small architectural details like benches and visual signage. The net serves as the project's core concept, forming a distinctive mega-structure that intensifies as one moves deeper into the site. At the corner of the market building, near the boulevard entrance, the net motif begins subtly with benches and loose paving lines. It becomes denser in the paving patterns of the boulevard and the ceiling elements of the market hall. The market's roof, landscaped with greenery in geometric planters, resembles a coastal dune. These sloped planters, with dune vegetation, create dynamic shadows visible from the port's higher terraces. The roof geometry and its vegetation are a free interpretation of a net gradually buried in sand on a coastal dune.
The central plaza organizes the design, emphasizing its geometric clarity. The port captain's office building culminates this design, with the net motif reimagined as a sculptural facade element that defines the project’s form.
The marina building is multifunctional, housing port facilities, restaurants, cafes, and commercial rental spaces. The roof features terraces for restaurant guests and sauna users. On the ground floor, a spa complex with saunas opens southward to outdoor pools. The building is unified by a wide staircase running along the pools, leading to terraces and the rooftop.
The fish market building, as planned in the port’s detailed zoning plan, utilizes the site's elevation differences and water levels. Situated at ground level, it offers a spacious open area ideal for fish trade. The modern, open interior is filled with natural light via numerous skylights in the roof, part of which doubles as a promenade terrace. The rental market spaces are equipped with counters, refrigerators, freezers, and auxiliary facilities.
The waterfront promenade, fish market, and marina building form a cohesive urban space integrating semi-public and semi-private bathing areas opening onto the public plaza. The project includes a pedestrian bridge over the Kalasadama Canal.
The design ensures access to the floating and moored boats in the marina along the promenade. Beachfront promenade access is provided on both sides for cleaning, operational, and service vehicles, as well as for fish market supplies. Parking spaces are located under the captain’s office building and along the southern ramp transitioning into the promenade.
Project Team:
Developed by Grupa 5 Architekci, the team included Roman Dziedziejko, Michał Leszczyński, Krzysztof Mycielski, Rafał Zelent, Rafał Grzelewski, Andrzej Gomułka, Przemysław Kaczkowski, Jan Radwański, and Lembit Tork.
