kuu arhitektid completes U-shaped estonian house that wraps around a private garden

‘laaneotsa house’ sits in harmony with its wooded context 

nestled in a wooded area of pringi, estonia, the ‘laaneotsa house’ is a single-story structure completed by kuu arhitektid with sincere architectural discretion. the residence is laid out as a serene horizontal volume and does not exude any exaggerated attempt to establish itself. rather, it naturally fits into the surrounding landscape. ‘specifically, a meaningful relationship between the inner and outer realms is created by avoiding the use of thresholds,‘ explains the studio. 

U-shaped dwelling composed of timber boards and clean concrete surfaces

kuu arhitektid (see more here) resorted to a U-shaped design for the ‘laaneotsa house’ by joining L-shaped living quarters with an I-shaped utility space. a still, windless inner courtyard with southern exposure to the sun lies between these volumes, enveloped by three sides to establish a U-shaped design. completing the overall structure are a canopied entrance, service zone, and parking area. within the main U-shaped space, the architects leveled all daily-used rooms with the surrounding ground to establish a seamless connection to the exterior. glass partitions opening to terraces shaded by ‘beaks’ further haze that indoor-outdoor boundary. 

the house’s living unit holds an open kitchen and living room with an office partition, two smaller bedrooms with a shared bathroom, one master bedroom with a toilet and wardrobe, a technical room, and a workout room. the kitchen and living room open to a terrace situated in the internal courtyard. additionally, the bedrooms open to an eastern-facing terrace while the utility unit features saunas, a washing room, a sauna vestibule, and a larger storage space.

the materials chosen for the ‘laaneotsa house’ support the fusion between the buildings and its forest milieu. the exterior finish comprises wooden boards painted black and a concrete monolith cast in a framework with the same profile, creating a dualistic yet harmonious blend of both materials. the triangular terrace sidewalls covered with black boarding also serve as hidden storage for outdoor equipment while concealing technical features like rainwater pipes and water faucets. finally, all technical communication solutions are located underground, enabling a clean appearance of all concrete surfaces.

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project info:

name: laaneotsa house

location: pringi, harju county, estonia 
client: private

completion date: 2020

total area: 225 sqm

architecture: KUU arhitektid
lead architect: joel kopli

interior architect: kärt tähema 

structural design: mihkel kannelmäe 

construction: mapri ehitus 

concrete works: evocon grupp

photography: tõnu tunnel

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