Proposal for Kuressaare Vocartional School Dormitory

2026 / Encouragement prize/ 2691 m2

Authors: Lisette Eriste, Gert Guriev, Helin Kuldkepp, Markus Kaasik

EHA reorganises the Kuressaare Vocational School campus and creates a clear urban frontage along Vallimaa Street. The placement of the building frames the school grounds and establishes a more urban block-like spatial character, connecting the new volume to the existing buildings through a gallery. The spatial backbone of the campus is a central axis, which makes movement clear and legible, prioritises pedestrians, and divides the outdoor space into a more public shared area and quieter, car-free inner courtyards.

The outdoor space is designed as a nature-oriented environment with low maintenance needs. The proportion of greenery is increased, existing mature trees are preserved as much as possible, and local meadow plant areas are introduced to support biodiversity and improve the microclimate. Parking and access areas are finished with permeable surfaces to slow down rainwater runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the ground on site. Materials from the demolished building are reused both in the outdoor areas and in the construction of the new building.

The façades act as both spatial and technical layers. The balcony zone facing the street adds functional value, articulates the volume and protects the rooms from the morning sun. On the courtyard side, a lighter shading layer supports privacy and indoor climate while preserving the openness and natural light of the courtyard.

The accommodation units are organised with a clear zoning logic: a shared entrance area, kitchenette and dining space support everyday use, the study area by the window benefits from natural daylight, and the sleeping area remains more private.

The concept of the building is based on a rational timber core that accommodates the residential programme. A repetitive module and prefabricated timber element solution allow for a shorter construction period, high-quality execution and an economical structural logic.

The stair volumes give the building a clear orientation, while the southern stairwell connects the entrances and shared areas into one legible circulation route. The lower level, integrated with the landscape, opens down to the -1 floor through a stepped landscape, forming a shared public space and a social area for students. This green stairway creates a natural transition between the courtyard, foyer and underground level, turning the lower level into an active everyday part of school life.