Reimagining Skäne Bastion
The stage of being
K.H.M. Zeinstra (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
W.W.L.M. Wilms Floet – Mentor (TU Delft - Situated Architecture)
N.L. Tilanus – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / AE+T)
W.C. Vogel – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
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Abstract
This project proposes an architectural intervention at the Skåne Bastion in Tallinn, Estonia, a historically layered site at the junction of the old city and the dynamic Kalamaja district. The research identifies a dual problem: the site's current underutilisation as a public park and a documented socio-spatial deficiency for children aged 7-9, who lack dedicated spaces within the city. The design addresses this by creating a youth theatre, providing a necessary outlet for expression and play.
The design methodology is rooted in biophilic principles and an analysis of the site's unique historical context, including its past as a military fortification and its concealed Cold War bunker. This led to a core design concept based on the duality of 'impression' and 'expression'.
The proposal consists of two main elements. The existing bunker is adaptively reused for 'impression' spaces; workshops and exhibitions that connect visitors to the site’s deep history. Above, a new superstructure houses the main theatre, a soaring space for 'expression'. This new volume is constructed using earthbags with in-situ soil, a technique that materially links the architecture to the site's geology and layered past. Passive design strategies, including stack-effect ventilation towers and a deciduous vegetated roof for dynamic shading, ensure environmental responsiveness.
"The Stage of Being" transforms a site of historical conflict into a space for community and healing, offering a model for how architecture can foster a renewed relationship between a city's youth, its cultural heritage, and the natural environment.