Rotermann old and new flour storage

The 1,5 century-old Rotermann Quarter, a former industrial area for food production, is located between the Tallinn’s old town and the port, where stands still historically-valuable limestone buildings under heritage protection. On-going redevelopment takes place between the existing historical limestone buildings, including the Old Flour Storage from 1904. The New Flour Storage was aimed to form a plaza as a new focal point of the quarter. The project consists of three volumes; the Old Flour Storage with 2 additional stories, the New Flour Storage and the Atrium connecting the two. Ground floor is for retail and all upstairs are for offices.
Our approach was to relate and strengthen the character of historical quarter through finding and adopting the character of the surroundings. For facade articulation we have abstracted proportion of wall versus window openings as a character of old industrial buildings. For main facade material corten steel was chosen for its property fitting to the existing surroundings of rough surfaces; limestone walls, brick lintels and rusted steel details. It pays homage to the area’s industrial past.
The New Flour Storage is to be a “Communication Wall” between offices and the plaza. The windows consists of three sizes; 75cm x 75cm, 2m x 2m, and larger ones over floor height.