The Volta factory area in Tallinn was established in the early 20th century, the factory was a cornerstone of heavy industry, producing electric motors and other mechanical equipment. Located in the heart of Kalamaja, one of Tallinn’s oldest and most vibrant districts, the factory complex symbolized the industrial prowess of the era. However, as the industrial landscape changed, the factory’s operations ceased, and the area fell into disuse. In recent years, the site has undergone a dramatic transformation, evolving from a forgotten industrial zone into a thriving urban quarter.
We approached the design of the Volta Quarter 6 apartment houses with a clear vision: to honor the area’s industrial heritage while creating contemporary living spaces. The architectural concept for the new buildings draws heavily from the site’s industrial past, with a strong emphasis on robust materials and a bold, functional aesthetic. We opted for a design language that echoes the former factory’s utilitarian character, using clean lines and strong geometric forms.
One of the standout features of the apartment houses is the highly visible entrances, designed to make a strong architectural statement. These large, striking entryways create a sense of arrival. The entrances not only serve a functional purpose but also reinforce the connection to the area’s history, offering residents a link to the past as they step into modern, stylish homes.
The Volta Quarter 6 apartment houses consist of six distinct buildings, each with its own unique character. These are the white House, with apartments through 2 floors, the black House, and the red houses, named for their striking exterior color schemes.
The new buildings blend seamlessly with the already renovated apartment houses and the existing industrial architecture. In addition to concrete, steel, and glass, industrial-inspired details help to give the buildings their unique character.
In keeping with a modern living environment, as many balconies as possible have been planned. The design draws inspiration from a lattice structure, which visually fits well with the quarter’s overall atmosphere. The abundance of balconies creates an important additional volumetric detail, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors and significantly extending the living space during the summer months.
A key element of the Volta residences is the park within the quarter. Modern buildings will be developed along the park, featuring semi-private courtyards connected to the central public park. The space between the buildings is reserved for pedestrian connections between the park and internal streets. Although the courtyard is accessible by car in emergencies, it is designed to remain a car-free area in daily life.
The structures in Volta Quarter are evocative of the district’s industrial past. Industrial architecture, by its nature, was always straightforward, functional, and robust. These buildings are a tribute to that ethos. The materials selected—brick, glass, metal—speak of permanence and authenticity, grounding these structures within their historical context. The large windows are framed in a manner reminiscent of factory designs, evoking the transparent, open nature of workspaces that would have defined the area’s original industrial facilities. These expansive panes allow sunlight to flood the interiors, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, and paying homage to the vastness and light of factory floors.
The structure on the right, clad in a red brick facade, captures the solidity and durability associated with early 20th-century industrial buildings. This material choice is an intentional nod to the heavy industries that once dominated the Volta area. Brick, a material intrinsically tied to both warmth and resilience, grounds the structure, providing it with a timeless quality that will endure through Tallinn’s winters and thrive under its summer skies. This building is not merely constructed; it is rooted in place, its every line and angle a tribute to the industries that have shaped it. The horizontal and vertical lines, accentuated by metallic frameworks around balconies, extend the visual language of the factory, reinforcing the industrial theme while also providing residents with practical, generous outdoor spaces.
In Le Corbusier’s words, “The home should be the treasure chest of living.” Volta Quarter embodies this philosophy by providing homes that are deeply integrated with their surroundings and rooted in history. These buildings are not isolated entities; they are part of a greater narrative, one that acknowledges the importance of place. Volta Quarter invites its inhabitants to be part of this story, to live and breathe in a place where the walls speak of history, resilience, and the promise of the future.
Photos: Kaupo Kalda, Tõnu Tunnel, 3D illustrations