The objective of the competition was to find the best visions for a common exhibition space of the Baltic Sea countries in Estonia.
The Baltic Sea Art Park will be located in the downtown of Pärnu, on the left shore of the Pärnu River. According to initial plans, folk art and art work of professionals of the Baltic Sea nations will be exhibited in the floating pavilions.
The target of the international contest was to find visions for a spatial solution on the riverside with green park and historical granite pier as well as the architectural sketch solution for the main building of the exposition hall with a draft for national floating pavilions on water.
The goal of the winning entry was to emphasize the idea of community of Baltic Sea states by creating a floating square.
The piazza is designed as a common space- a platform for exchange of the Baltic Sea culture that enables integration and interaction between all Baltic countries and their artistic heritage.
It is a floating Forum of Art and a heart of the whole concept of the Park. It may become a new, clearly defined public space in a form of a market square that completes the urban structure of Pärnu.
“The main building is designed as an art temple, located on the same line as the medieval St. Nicholas Church, destroyed by Soviet air raids during WW II. The building affects the skyline and adds a third dimension to an otherwise quite monotonous view.
Its semi-transparent shell acts as a beacon in the dark times. The main exhibition building is raised on piles thus securing good visibility around the park area. Lifting up the whole building stresses the role of the main hall as a prominent new structure in the cityscape”. Jury´s comments.
