2023 BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S THESES

Roger Matthias Laas BA diploma Fungi Space, 2023

MASTER’S THESES

My thesis originates from a personal experience, when I had to spend quite some time at the hospital. There was a moment when I found myself all alone with hand full of pills and pain relievers. With every next dose of medicines, the doctors suggested to pray and hope for the best. There was nothing supportive or encouraging for it. Over-exposed lighting, four walls and modular ceiling panels were emotionally exhausting and I felt even more lonely and helpless.
This master’s thesis investigates medical space, as the environment with purpose to heal. If the first step on design process, are the regulations and medical technology needs, then how is the experience for a person? How to find balance between technology and organic human needs?
Supervisors: Mariann Drell, Jüri Kerkmik, Gregor Taul.

*

Võib olla pilt järgmisest: põhiplaan ja tekst

Influenced by the adoption of the newest technologies and anticipation of the futuristic vision of the meta-world, creatives opt to imitate the digital space when designing interiors for physical. Such design projects blur the boundaries between the digital space and the one we inhabit. The thesis aims to inspect the main points of the intersection of the two, and how digital affects the space in the physical world.
The body of the thesis is divided into three parts. In the Digital chapter, I engage with three different typologies of virtual spaces: commercial, educational and recreational. By observing and analyzing how these spaces are constructed, I learned what features can inspire physical designs. The digital spatial worlds are not yet conveniently inhabitable or fully explored.
Supervisors: Mariann Drell, Jüri Kermik and Gregor Taul.

 

***

Foto kirjeldus ei ole saadaval.

In this thesis I have examined birth environments in Estonia and identified how to create more calm, peaceful and home-like birth spaces that would have a positive impact on birth outcomes and the childbirth experience. Topics and issues related to birth rooms and departments have been scarcely researched in Estonia. Existing birth spaces are in poor condition, and new designs show repetitive and uniform design practices that are outdated and based on general principles of hospital wards.
Childbirth is not a disease: birth space should be the ideal childbirth environment where new life begins. It must grow from the inside out, based on the needs of the birthing person, the birth support partner, and midwife, providing a natural, modern, and liberating environment. To create the ideal childbirth environment, I have developed a new guide for renovating and planning/designing delivery rooms together with the elements of a birth environment. In addition, I have applied the principles outlined in the guide to re-designing a birth room in one of the four major hospitals in Estonia, which have the highest birth rate. As a comparison, I created a room with the same area, but in a clean environment like for a new hospital or a birthing center. Furthermore, I designed prototypes of what an ideal childbirth space layout could look like.
Supervisors: Mariann Drell, Jüri Kermik and Gregor Taul.
***
Foto kirjeldus ei ole saadaval.
For me as a spacial researcher was important for to deal with the issue of children’s integration through space creation techniques, so that the focus is on the socialization of children with different native languages.
This thesis refers to the concept of playful integration created for children in the educational environment focusing on the integration of Ukrainian war refugee and neighboring school children. I have observed a large number from the recommendations of linguists to the national integration plan and target group reports. In addition to theoretical and anthropological research, I have relied on information acquired during the observation practice and the results of the survey and interviews.
The design project has sought a spatial solution for the newly created Ukrainian school yard to achieve a playful and shared common space. The proposed concept is built on three areas of the school. The created modular small forms of different sizes that contain integrated immersion games allow various handling and spatial use.
Supervisors: Mariann Drell, Jüri Kermik and Gregor Taul.
***
Foto kirjeldus ei ole saadaval.
Several smaller and more remote regions in Estonia are becoming depopulated. The master’s thesis discusses the issue of the decline of peripheral areas. In addition, approaches the topic in a location-specific manner, focusing on the furthest region of Võrumaa, Orava village. The continuous decline in the number of students at Orava School has led to discussions about partially closing the school building. The aim of the research was to find one possible new conceptual spatial solution for the school building that would help to maintain local education in the first grade and preserve life in the area.
Supervisors: Mariann Drell, Jüri Kermik and Gregor Taul.

BACHELOR’S THESES

In 2023 the diploma work consists of a portfolio and a creative project developed during the last semester. The diplomas were supervised by Anna Kaarma (portfolio), Grete Tiigiste (text), Ville Lausmäe (public space, project), Veiko Liis ja Marko Uibo (object, project).

***

Triin Kampus
Vimka

Vimka (Estonian for “trick”) is a dining table designed for the author’s own home. The 1200mm diameter table is inspired by functionalist tables manufactured in Estonia in the 1930s, during the first republic. Those tables have a specific visual identity, they are familiar and trustworthy, still loyally fulfilling their purpose in the homes of many Estonians today. Vimka aspires to uphold those values while bringing in a few new tricks.

The process of building Vimka was also a way for the author to explore a personal interest in manual labor and the interpersonal relationships it builds. How do we work together and why do we develop a different kind of kinship while working side by side?

***

Roger Matthias Laas
Fungi space

Töö uurib seenekasvatusmeetodite näitel ruumisümbioosi, milleks on tootmisruum ja toode. Tekib kahe tegelasega narratiiv, kus ühel pool on seen ning teisel pool inimene. Loo kulmineerudes areneb seen välja mööbliesemeks.

***

Markus Sirg
Portfoolio

Eesolevas portfoolios võib ette tulla luuletusi, kritseldusi, huligaansust ja arvamusi, mis kirjeldavad minu kolmeaastast teekonda sisearhitektuuri osakonnas õppides. Üritan alati olla
iseenda suurim inspiratsioon. Kui tänaval elav puu loob mulle vaimusilmas arhitektuurse pildi, siis võib sellest puust saada midagi enamat.

***

Laura Pormeister
The methodology of material auditing

If a building is demolished, it doesn’t disappear from the world, it becomes waste. But in fact, it is possible to map, dismantle, certify and recycle it. I am not trying to create something new in this world with my project, rather I am drawing attention to what is important and what interests me. I bring into play such a profession as a material auditor and play it out on the former courthouse at Liivalaia 24. The task is to go to a discarded object before demolition and map out the materials that could be reused on the same or another object. As an interior architect, I try to reuse these elements and create a space.

***

 

Elin Kenzie Kornav
Activating Design

During the project, I designed a sound solution that supports the spatial experience and reacts to the activity level of the users. Human activity and movement inevitably create sounds. Based on these sounds, parameters are derived that create a sound background to support the presence in the room.

I use ultrasound sensors to measure activity levels. The sensors are located in the room at 50 cm intervals in the intersecting walls to create a grid in which the sensors measure the speed and distance of the person moving.

The speed at which a person moves can be translated into tempo in musical terms. Setting the tempo of the sound using the average movement speed supports action in the room. This works, for example, when playing ball in a kindergarten group, where the pace can be faster to make the activity more active.

***

Hanna Loora Arro
Objects that provide privacy in public spaces

The purpose of the work was to analyse objects in public space, their characteristics and use. The research conducted in different spaces led to exciting conclusions that directed further work process. The most interesting discovery was post as a provider of privacy and how posts can be used in urban spaces to create a better environment. The final outcome of the work is a designed post, taking into account previous research, aimed at offering people privacy, a sense of security, and a better environment. The post includes an armrest element that extends into a tube and creates a private corner around the post where a person can isolate themselves to establish a boundary for their personal space.

***

Anna Aurelia Minev
KOIKU

KOIKU is a social service sleeping pod in public space in Tallinn, which offers temporary and safe shelter. It’s an additional option to shelters provided by Social Work Center services. As “Homeless in Tallinn 2020” research stated, there are 82 people living on streets, but only 60 beds in shelters. That is why current night shelters are overcrowded, especially in winter, and not all can or want to stay there. KOIKU project will install 22 sleeping pods in different areas in Tallinn. Their architectural diagonal shape improves overall urban environment. Sleeping pods are warm during winter and cool during hot summer, bright and as spacious as possible. Their interior is compact and easy to use. Since every city is changing all the time, KOIKUs can be transporter easily thanks to their small size. They are connected to public power utilities, which provide electricity, lights and floor heating to every sleeping pod. Even though KOIKU is mainly for homeless, it can be used by anyone who finds itself in unexpected situation. Usage is regulated by respective lock system.

***

Auli Vaino
Sound Absorbing Wall Panels

 

The sound absorbing panels are designed for use in people’s homes, where there are often unaddressed acoustic issues. The idea draws inspiration from the pattern and texture of tree bark. The wall panels resemble artwork, adding a decorative touch and enhancing the appeal of minimalist interiors, while also addressing acoustic problems. The concept originated from the notion of using materials derived from food, which are easily accessible.

Among the various experiments conducted, rice has emerged as the optimal solution. Through the interaction of different binders, rice becomes a strong and crumbly material, visually resembling the texture of tree bark. The current outcome primarily focuses on the aesthetic appearance and design of the wall panel, while still considering acoustic principles.

***

Anni Kõrvemaa
The walls of your home

What is the meaning of home? What are the walls of your home made of? Where have they been?

We live in an era when one of the biggest challenges for people is migration, leaving their “home” behind and adapting to a new one. Rebuilding the walls. Be it climate migration, escape from war, political reasons or the modern nomadic lifestyle, which requires a constant change of residence.

A good support system should be developed in the form of rooms to facilitate movement and adaptation of new spaces. Architecture must become not yours, not ours, but everyone’s. It has to be easily adjustable.

Taking into account the travelers and their relationship with the space, I wanted my work to be a starting point, which would provide a basis for working with the space in the future. My focus was on interviewing the nomads. In the course of the project, I talked with people living a nomadic life and studied their understanding of home, experiences and memories of arrival and departure.

***

Anna Aleksejeva
Interactive Space

The installation is a place where the visitor can experience different emotions through sensory experience and design. The room is intended for one person at a time. Being alone leads to a meditative state. It all depends on the personal experience of the visitor.
It is possible to experience the installation as a whole — to hear the sounds and perceive them in a dark room. The object is accompanied by a guide that can be viewed on site.

 

Share with friends:

Posted by Gregor Taul
Updated