Rakvere State Upper Secondary School | Salto Architects

This school opened its doors to 540 students in autumn 2022. Designed by Salto Architects, the complex is awkwardly situated but forms a pleasing whole with the park and town square next to it. Given its location, the designers wanted to create a pavilion-like structure for the school. Thanks to its facade (which uses both thermowood and glass) and its stonecrop-carpeted sloping roof, the end result is every inch a success.

Architect

SALTO ARCHITECTS

Year

2022

Product

THERMORY BENCHMARK THERMO-PINE

Color

DARK OIL

Location

ESTONIA

The school building is informed by its central position and does not seek a uniform orientation with either its front or rear facades. All sides of the building are of equal importance, creating a pavilion that sits at the meeting point of the neighbouring park and town square. The higher side of the structure interfaces with the apartment buildings on the adjacent block and hides views of their end walls from the square. The longer sides of the building, which rise and fall in line with the landscape, are open to the square and park. The central part of the complex was designed to be narrow and transparent so that through this interior space a visual connection would form with the square (on the eastern side of the building) and the park (on the western side).

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine cladding, Rakvere School, Salto Architects, Photograph Karl Kasepõld

There are no corridors in the school – instead, a unique space has been created flowing through a multi-level interior. Compact classrooms are found at the highest point in the building, on the southern side of the block. The lowest part of the complex is home to computer labs and music classrooms, the school’s cloakroom and bathrooms, while the common area between them houses the canteen, main hall, study area, teachers’ work space, an auditorium and a library.

The placement of the classrooms maximises views over the park and square. Set on a rolling landscape, the school is surrounded by broad thermo-pine stairs and a variety of trees and plants. The well-planned outdoor area is ideal for open-air lessons and school events.

The facade of the school building sees an interplay of thermo-pine (stained dark with oil) and glass surfaces which gradually increase and then decrease in size. The tall, thermally modified screening panels on the western side of the building limit the amount of afternoon and evening sun in the common areas. Thermo-ash was initially planned to be utilised in the project, but financial considerations meant that pine was chosen instead.

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine cladding, Rakvere School, Salto Architects, Photograph Karl Kasepõld

Salto Architects were already familiar with Thermory’s products and thermally modified wood thanks to their work on the Paide State Upper Secondary School project, in which thermo-pine retaining its natural tone was used on the building’s facade and terrace. Thermowood was chosen for both projects because of the material’s excellent resistance to the harsh Estonian climate.

In addition to the school building itself, the project saw the completion of artist Timo Toots’ kinetic piece ‘Tintinnebula’, which is situated by the main entrance and reacts to the weather. Both the school and the artwork are perfectly matched to the urban space of Rakvere, which is well known for its bold architectural solutions.

Products used in this project

Blog posts related to this project

Thermory Benchmark Ash Cladding Noa restaurant

Let your creativity loose with the playfulness of Thermory’s mix and match profiles

Combining different wood species, finishes and profiles brings variety to any interior or exterior design, delivering a tantalizing injection of texture and...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine mix and match cladding

Choosing the right timber cladding

Finding the best solution to clad buildings is important for several reasons – as well as defining the look and feel of your design, it also has a major...

Thermory Pine cladding

An alternative to Siberian larch – thermally modified pine

The demand for high-quality wood material is still in an upward trend. In addition to the long-term price increase, the depletion of stocks of Siberian...

Thermory ash decking

The six elements of biophilic design

The purpose of biophilic design is to create spaces that deliver benefits for both human health and the environment by nurturing people’s innate affinity...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine mix and match cladding

Inspiring Exterior Wood Cladding Ideas

Natural wood can be used in many different ways. The beauty and versatility make wood unequalled building material. As both an interior and exterior design...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine mix and match cladding

Durability classes of wood

We have often mentioned in our articles that Thermory Ash belongs to durability class 1 and Thermory Pine is in durability class 2. But what exactly does...

Thermory_Benchmark_thermo-pine_decking_D45J 26x118_PaCS_private house_Tallinn Estonia_photo credit Allan Leppikson - Reval foto

Chemical-free wood surfaces in the home

Home is where the heart is – a place where the whole family can feel safe and warm. The building materials you choose should enhance this feeling and...

Thermory_decking_thermo_ash

Sustainable use of wood: thermally modified vs tropical wood

Wood is one of the most common building materials in the world and, with responsible forest management, it is the only renewable building material we have....

Thermal modification

Thermally modified wood – what is it?

How did the wooden Viking ships endure the corrosive effects of salt water? Nordic seafarers used to treat their wood with fire. Our contemporary...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-pine cladding

Thermory in Exterior Design: Cladding

Natural wood feels warm and inviting in both interior and exterior design. Especially in outdoor use, it is important to choose wood that is not only...

Thermory Pine cladding

How sustainable is wood?

With rising concerns about climate change, the world community’s responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint rests with each and every individual and...

Thermory_Pine_Decking; aged & unoiled_Norway_photo credit Moelven Wood Prosjekt

Color evolution of Thermory products

As a natural material, the color of wood alters over time – and there is no exception with Thermory’s thermally modified wood products, which gradually...

Thermory Loo production

Discover five of our favorite thermally modified woods

If you’re considering which wood types to use for a renovation or construction project, there are several considerations that may influence your decision...

Viviv_by_Thermory_Translucent_Brown

How to keep your Thermory cladding looking great

To ensure that your Thermory cladding retains its natural warm and authentic character, it’s important to apply the correct maintenance techniques. The...

Thermory Radiata Pine Cladding New Zealand

How does thermally modified wood perform in different climates?

No matter where you live when you’re choosing a decking or cladding material, you’ll have to be mindful of how that material will change over time...

Thermory Benchmark thermo-ash decking and cladding, Maidla Nature Resort in Estonia

Wood in Architecture: Trends for 2022

In 2022, the global megatrend of sustainable architecture and building practices will continue. Architecture trends influence the choice of materials both...