Olev Siinmaa facts for kids
Olev Siinmaa (born November 12, 1881 – died March 29, 1948) was an Estonian architect. He is best known for his special building style called "Pärnu Resort Functionalism." This style was popular in the city of Pärnu, a famous resort town.
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Early Life and Studies
Olev Siinmaa was born as Oskar Siimann in Pärnu, Estonia. His family owned a shop that made wooden items. He traveled to Germany to study. He learned about designing interiors and furniture at technical schools in Wismar and Konstanz.
Becoming a City Architect
In 1925, Olev Siinmaa became the official architect for the city of Pärnu, Estonia. This was a very important job, as he helped shape how the city looked and grew.
Functionalist Architecture Style
Siinmaa was a big fan of a building style called Functionalism. This style focuses on making buildings useful and simple, without too much decoration. The first building he designed in this style was in 1930 on Roosikrantsi Street in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia.
The Pärnu Beach Hotel
One of Siinmaa's most famous works is the Pärnu Beach Hotel. He designed it with another architect named Anton Soans. They built the hotel between 1935 and 1937. When it was finished in 1937, people called it the "flagship" of the new functionalist architecture. This means it was a leading example of the style.
Designing the Presidential Palace
In 1938, Siinmaa worked on another important project. He competed with architect Alar Kotli to design parts of the Presidential Palace. This building was for the office of the President of Estonia, Konstantin Päts. Kotli designed the formal areas, while Siinmaa designed the President's main office.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1944, Olev Siinmaa moved to Norrköping, Sweden. He passed away there in 1948.
The Pärnu Beach Hotel Today
After many years, the Pärnu Beach Hotel needed repairs. In 1994, a company called Scandic Hotels bought it. They fixed it up and renamed it the Scandic Rannahotell. The hotel was renovated again in 2016, making sure it stays a beautiful and useful building for many more years.
