ST. PAUL’S CUBE

CONCEPT OF THE BUILDING

The ensemble of Rakvere‘s concert hall consist of two parts - St Paul‘s church and

new annex. The concept of annex set as a contrast for the old church building. The new

part is like a black square tube, lifted from the ground by transparent glass element,

which invites public to enjoy coffee and inner yard. The forms of annex are neutral,

underlining significance of 1940‘s building, finish of new annex part (slabs of black

stone) let the church to be important part of ensemble. The main facade, outgoing to the

square, contains frameless window screen as a connection with a square, side facade

plays with a graphic of half-moon windows, resembling the elements of church towers.

CONCEPT OF THE SITE

The area of the competition includes the Rakvere’s St Paul’s Church lot, the traffic circle

in front of the church and eastern part of the Vabaduse Park. In this area big traffic

circle is not necessary for transport, and the green field in it, is without purpose, so we

closed south part of the traffic circle to unite new Arvo Part Hall and the designed

square in one peace. It will make this new area to be more useful, people will have new

place to spend their free time and new Arvo Part Hall will have a big area for summer

events. We apply existing relief to make small terraces with incline. On reinforced grass

coat we designed sculpture benches. Wood boards would be used to cover

passageways and summer stage. Connection between new concert hall and square

would be joined with dark stone pavement. For transport parking there is small area

behind the hall, on events time transport will be parked on the near streets and

gymnasium parking area. At evening and night time the main area dominant would be

illuminated St. Paul’s church and sculpture benches in the square. It will make special

mood for this multifunctional public complex.

BUILDING EXPLANATORY

Existing church building on the ground floor has all areas to meet audience and visitors:

lobby, cloakroom, restrooms. There is a small music, books and art shop. In the south

area of the church there are main dressing rooms for performers with green room near

it. Stairs to the main concert hall are on the right of the lobby (with a stairlift for

wheelchair and stroller). Near the main stairs there is connection with a annex which on

the ground floor has cafeteria with cozy inner yard. Also on the ground floor of the new

part there is place for utilities and loading room.

On the first floor of the church there is the main concert hall with 316 seats and Arvo

Part music room. New building has a small concert hall with 160 seats. On the south of

annex there is: sound studio, sound and lighting equipment room, piano storage, dance

and choir practice hall.

On the second floor of church there is main concert hall balcony with 92 seats. On the

top floor of annex there is lounge room with a great view to square and smoking room

for audience, and in south of the stage there is conference hall, meeting room and office

for personal of the whole complex.

TECHNICAL DATA

Allowed new building zone 1425.78 sq.m.

Land area of planned building 723.47 sq.m.

Land percent took by planned building 50.74 %

Total area 2502 sq.m.

New annex area 1528 sq.m.

Old church part area 974 sq.m.

Volume of new annex 9660 cu. m.