põhukabel / straw chapel
❊ public competition ‘Place Buzz’ – 1st prize
Year: 2022
Location: Mustjõe, Tallinn, Estonia
Type: installation
Status: built
Team: Eneli Kleemann, Katariina Mustasaar, Mia Martina Peil, Marie Anette Veesaar, Lill Volmer
Materials: straw, CLT, wood, sheet metal
Read more from ArchDaily
Rising from wild grass on the Pollinator Highway, the Straw Chapel pavilion celebrates sustainable building methods and materials, community and outdoor activities.
Straw is a local agricultural by-product. With large amounts of straw discarded every year, it is important to highlight its value as a building material. Pairing it with other circular materials, the enviromental impact of buildings can be significantly reduced.
The installation was built as part of an experimental workshop, involving the local community. It provides shelter for holding events, workshops, or simply resting on a long walk.
The installation exhibits how the material behaves in untraditional shapes, exposed to the weather and used in public space. Straw’s excellent sound and thermal insulation properties make it a comfortable environment for both humans and wildlife.
The straw bales provide structural stability to the installation. They are held up by a solid timber structure and covered with a rainproof roof. Due to a large amount of materials being recycled, lots of design decisions had to be made on-site.
The pavilion was built with the help of the local community and has been a popular gathering place since then. To celebrate the collective effort, a straw disco and common dinner were held.
