War of Independence Victory Column
Surrounding landscape of the War of Independence Victory Column
Status: completed
Location: Tallinn
Project date: 2012
Project team: Kersti Lootus, Kiur Lootus
Client: Ministry of Defence
Volume: ~ 1,200 m2
Photos by: Maris Tomba
The design was prepared based on the winning project ‘Libertas’ (2006, Rainer Sterfeld, Anderi Laidre, Kadri Kiho and Anto Savi) of the War of Independence Victory Column competition.
The purpose of the project is to give a supportive form to the environment around the War of Independence Victory Column that would take into account the monument and the functions intended for the surrounding area (for example, organisation of protocol events at the monument of state importance as well as everyday use) and tie the area of the column organically and prominently with the urban space of the Vabaduse Square. The project was prepared based on the historic castle architecture, as the Victory Column area forms a complete plateau, the volume of which is approximately the same as the dimensions of a flange of the Inger Bastion that once stood in this area.
The Victory Column area includes a parade plateau, lighted stairs connecting the monument with the Vabaduse Square and a 45-degree slope between the plateau and the bastion (and Harjumäe Park located in this area). A new bed built in place of the historic slope along with the bastion escarpment serves as an organic boarder for the square and a backdrop for the War of Independence monument. As all users must have good access to the area of the column, a ramp was built close to the square in addition to the stairs, providing a connection with Komandandi Road.
The design of the area of the War of Independence monument is ascetic and minimalistic with materials such as burnt and polished black granite, slate, dark concrete, glass and stainless steel used. In addition to the lawn between the plateau and the bastion slope, the greenery of the area includes a lawn left to the column and a planting area located between the plateau and the Mayer stairs originating from the second half of the 19th century. No separate benches or other pieces of furniture were planned for the column area; however, they emerge with the other architectural elements.
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