Nest Boxes and Other Houses. Architect Ott Puuraid

21.06. – 20.08.2014

Location: Sakala Keskus, Viljandi

Unique houses that resemble bird nesting boxes are two of the most interesting landmarks that Ott Puuraid (1904–1986) introduced to the cityscape as the chief architect of post-war Viljandi. Predating his Viljandi period, many modernistic buildings that he designed as a young architect have also survived. The exhibition shows original architectural plans and sketches from which we can get a glimpse of the more artistic side of the architect and of the different stages of designing a building. As an example of the “nest box”, a brand new model of Ott Puuraid’s very own house in Viljandi at 14 Ranna Avenue (1947–1955) has been made for the occasion.

The exhibition also offers a booklet.

“I must say, that construction was designed with function in mind, it took into account the cardinal points, had good content and was easily accessible. Everything was organically bound. /…/ With that in mind it seemed that everything they had shown there is absolutely true and worth following.”

– Ott Puuraid’s recollection of his praxis in Finland at Alvar Aalto’s functionalist Paimio Sanatorium in 1932.

Curator: Sandra Mälk
Designer: Koit Randmäe