From the architects: How did the sky-reaching Volta SKAI come to life

On the seaside plateau of North Tallinn stands a place where dignified industrial heritage meets the contemporary city. It is here that the ARS Projekt team – architects Rasmus Tamme and Ats Budell – designed the signature of the Volta quarter: the dynamic high-rise duo, Volta SKAI.

Maakri Quarter, Rocca Towers and the Torn in Kristiine are just a few examples of Tallinn’s high-rise buildings created by the ARS Projekt architects. Today, under their leadership, a new building is nearing completion – one that will become the gateway to the entire Volta quarter.

“This is the most expressive and articulate building of all the Endover projects we have designed,” says Rasmus, adding that its location at the corner of Kalaranna, Tööstuse and Krulli Streets already makes it inherently visible and dominant.

A form that does not imitate history

According to the architects, this was an exceptionally intriguing plot, initially granted permission for a building up to 15 storeys high. “That’s a major factor – on one hand, it offers a lot of freedom; on the other, it sets clear boundaries,” Ats explains. “Boundaries are always good because they force you to invent. Without limits, you can feel slightly lost.” While ARS Projekt typically develops up to a dozen design versions for a building, in the case of Volta SKAI the number reached into the hundreds. “We searched and tested countless solutions – sometimes three towers, sometimes four – until we arrived at a version that works best for everyone.”

For the architects, everything begins with a fundamental question: what is the purpose of the building? You can follow the detailed plan, draw up the walls, attach balconies and the building is done – but such buildings number in the hundreds. They lack recognisability and a signature. In a landmark location, a building must have identity.

In the case of Volta SKAI, context was crucial – specifically, the entire Volta quarter. North Tallinn contains numerous former industrial areas – Krulli, Noblessner, Manufaktuur – that require new roles within the urban fabric. Volta, with its dignified history, belongs to this list as well. “Our aim was to create a building that does not copy the past, but adds something new,” said Rasmus. The vision emerged of Volta SKAI as dynamic, slender and marked by a vibrant silhouette. Its harmony with the quarter’s industrial character is expressed through the building’s black façade, enriched with cornices and pilasters.

A home at the level of the horizon

“The fact that the quarter’s signature development stands on the corner is actually a classic architectural move,” Ats admits. More important, however, was that this elevated site offers unprecedented views of both the Old Town and the sea. “We tried to raise the apartments as high as possible in order to maximise the number of homes with exceptional views.”

The architects openly acknowledge that the solution for the top floors – with rooftop terraces positioned at varying heights – was a new and exciting challenge for them as well. From this emerged a distinctive roofscape that makes the upper floors especially exclusive. Here, the goal was not to maximise the number of apartments, but to prioritise views and spatial experience. As a result, there are fewer high-end penthouses with extraordinary views – the SKAI Villas – but they offer a living experience unlike anything seen before.

In shaping the silhouette, the architects sought to incorporate windows as large as possible, including a significant number of corner windows. Special attention was also given to balconies: they are deliberately larger than usual and primarily positioned at the corners of the building to offer multiple viewpoints while also providing shelter. “You sit as if in a corner – safely protected from behind, yet with a panoramic view preserved,” Rasmus explains. “It creates the feeling of being in a nest, while views open in multiple directions.”

The use of curved glass further enhances corner views and creates a lighter impression, as it is executed in a single piece without posts or joints. This solution softens the building’s form visually and was a specific request from Endover. With soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, the homes are flooded with abundant natural light. “The size of the corner windows was not accidental, but a deliberate decision,” emphasises Ats.

While the apartment selection is diverse and extensive, the upper floors remain the most exclusive. However, this does not mean that the lower floors are any less refined – the overall quality of the building must meet high standards throughout, from the lobby and lifts to everyday spatial functionality. “There’s no point in building below the level of luxury today,” Rasmus remarks with a smile.

A gateway to the entire quarter

The distinctive ground-floor solution of Volta SKAI was born from the desire to combine practical necessity with an improved living environment. Parking spaces have been moved away from the street, and the building’s 2,500 m² ground floor opens generously to the urban space through large display windows. “We designed the first floor to be highly interactive and to contribute significantly to the streetscape,” Rasmus describes. Articulation and architectural vibrancy were equally important for residents and passers-by. The representative lobby is the spatial key – the carrier of the building’s tone and value. “The lobby is the representative space of the building, the room every visitor passes through,” Rasmus emphasises. “This is why Volta SKAI’s street level is becoming a true gateway to the entire quarter.”

Beyond aesthetics, the location is also significant: Volta SKAI rises at the intersection of Tööstuse, Kalaranna and Krulli Streets, where Endover will establish a signalised junction, marking the long-awaited connection from Tööstuse Street to Kopli Street.

Above trends, built to last

“We rather try to avoid trends,” Ats notes when asked whether high-rise duos are currently fashionable. “The life cycle of a building is very long – it may take three, five or even ten years to complete, and trends can change dramatically in that time. Yet the building will stand for decades or even centuries. Is chasing everyday trends the right approach? It seems more sustainable to choose a direction that endures.”

Rasmus adds that no one can entirely escape their era: “You are inevitably influenced by your surroundings and the spirit of the time. If you look at photos from the 1930s, the 1980s or today, the buildings themselves remain the same – they were modern then and remain good today. What has changed are the cars in front of them.”

Architecture must think long-term, though it cannot completely ignore contemporary aesthetics. “For example, black is very trendy in architecture right now,” Rasmus admits. An initial white version was also considered for Volta SKAI, but ultimately black felt more appropriate – making the building appear slimmer, more refined and elegant.

Alongside trends, functional diversity is becoming increasingly important. Mixed-use buildings – where apartments are complemented by a concierge lobby, fitness facilities, restaurants and other amenities – are steadily gaining ground in Estonia. “In the West, any development that aims to be even moderately representative includes additional shared spaces as a given. That’s how the quality of your life and the range of possibilities expand,” Rasmus explains.

In metropolitan high-rises, it is common to step outside your apartment and walk to a cinema within the same building to watch a film with friends, or to host a child’s birthday party in a dedicated event room. Gyms, saunas and shared spaces create an environment where home no longer ends at the apartment door. “It’s a hotel-like level of comfort, where the value of home lies in the entire building and its surroundings,” Ats concludes.

Designed with tomorrow in mind

Today’s urban residents in Estonia are more conscious and demanding than ever. A home no longer simply offers shelter – it reflects worldview, lifestyle and values. “It’s quite an art to create a product you are satisfied with yourself, that satisfies the client and ultimately the people who will live there,” Ats acknowledges. Drawing on Endover’s experience, several important innovations have been incorporated into Volta SKAI. These include a landscaped rooftop park with playgrounds and leisure areas for all age groups, separate entrances for couriers and service staff to enhance convenience and security, and accessibility solutions for people with reduced mobility. Even where not legally required, wider doorways, lifts and additional spaces have been integrated at the design stage to ensure full accessibility.

“Volta SKAI’s layouts are highly functional and life-cycle oriented,” Rasmus continues. “We followed the principles of universal design: clear circulation routes, barrier-free transitions, flexibly divided zones and smart storage and utility solutions.” The homes are equally suitable as compact apartments, growing family homes or multi-generational residences, supporting diverse life stages and family models. Bicycle and stroller storage has also become increasingly important. “Today, bicycles and cars are equally important,” Ats stresses, noting that particularly in North Tallinn, residents greatly value bicycle parking facilities.

In this way, the concept of home extends beyond the apartment door – the entire building and the cohesive quarter become part of your living environment. When a gym, saunas, cafés or co-working spaces are just a few steps away, there is no need to fit everything within your own four walls. “A smaller apartment can be just as good – or even better – if it comes with access to intelligently designed shared spaces,” the architects explain. “That is precisely the hotel-like comfort we’re talking about, where quality of life is created through additional functions and the overall integrity of the living environment.”

Towards a greater purpose

“Why do we build these houses? So that people can live better,” says Rasmus. The wow-effect may last ten minutes, but true value lies in everyday comfort, well-considered layouts and thoughtful spatial use. Architecture is created for decades and must stand the test of time. The architects see their role more broadly – not only as designers of buildings, but of entire quarters where home begins in the lobby and extends into the surrounding urban space. “Our goal is to create environments where people can live better, more comfortably and in a way that endures over time.”

Discover Volta SKAI at voltaskai.endover.ee.