Vilen Künnapu, Andres Siim, 1987. EAM 41.1.17

Camel Park

At the beginning of Tartu Road in Tallinn, architects Vilen Künnapu and Andres Siim designed a modern urban park that combines a constructivist play of colour and form with architecture and advertising.

The urban park was designed above pavement level. The centrepiece of the design is a spiral staircase that shelters the outbuilding of the apartment building and provides access to the light bridge and a screen wall displaying an advertisement for the Turist shop. Perched on top of the wall, a giant camel catches the eye, gazing firmly at the shop below. The paved square is flanked by a retaining wall with a long bench on one side. Further away, in the corner of the apartment block, is a billboard.

The modestly landscaped park blends well with the square’s architecture and design. A red flowerbed crosses the area like an arrow, a triangular light fixture is placed on the lawn next to it and a conical oak tree crowns the top of the lawn. A climbing Virginia creeper shades the outbuilding next to the park.

The design was approved by Tallinn’s chief artist, Urmas Mikk, in 1987, but it was never realised.

Text: Anna-Liiza Izbaš

• 1980s
• Andres Siim
• Vilen Künnapu