Raine Karp facts for kids

Raine Karp (born July 23, 1939) is a famous architect from Estonia. He is known for designing many important and large buildings, especially during the 1960s to 1980s. His work helped shape the look of cities like Tallinn.

Raine Karp was born in Tallinn. He first studied construction at the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute from 1957 to 1959. After that, he studied architecture at the Tallinn State Institute of Applied Art from 1959 to 1964.

During the time when Estonia was part of the Soviet Union, he worked for several design companies. Later, in 1996, after Estonia became independent again, Raine Karp started his own architecture office.

Amazing Buildings by Raine Karp

Raine Karp designed some of the most striking buildings in Estonia from the 1960s to the 1980s. His style often included large, impressive structures. He won several awards for his designs and was one of the most well-known architects in Estonia during that time.

Since 1962, Raine Karp has worked on more than 300 projects! In Tallinn, some of his most famous designs include:

• The Linnahall convention center (built 1975–1980)
• The National Library of Estonia (built 1985–1993)
• The Tallinn Central Post Office (built 1974–1980)
• The Sakala center (built 1982–1985, but mostly torn down now)
• The building for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (built 1964–1968)
• Apartment buildings like those on Trummi street 21 (built 1968–1971) and Vilde 68 & 70 (built 1963–1965).

Gallery

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  Residential quarter at Trummi 21, dwellings. (1970-1971)

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  Residential quarter at Trummi 21, row-house. (1970-1971)

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  Tallinn Central Post Office, co-author Mati Raigna. Project 1974, completed 1980, now renovated

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  Tallinn Linnahall (1980-1981, with Riina Altmäe)

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  Tallinn Linnahall (1980-1981, with Riina Altmäe)

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  Sakala center, formerly the building for Political Education. The building was almost completely demolished in 2007. Only the tower was left standing.

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  Sakala center from a different angle.

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  National Library of Estonia (1993)

Buildings You Can See

Here are some of the many buildings Raine Karp designed that were actually built:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1968)
• Apartment building in Mustamäe (late 1960s and early 1970s)
• Residence for employees of the Communal Ministry (1970)
• Raine Karp's own home in Tallinn (1970)
• Holiday home in Rannapungerja (1970)
• Residential area at 21 Trummi in Tallinn (1970-1971)
• Tallinn University of Technology athletics center (1976)
• Tallinn Central Post Office (1980)
• Institute of Chemical and Biological Physics (1979)
• Government holiday complex in Valgeranna (1984)
• Sakala Centre (1985)
• Tallinn Linnahall with ice arena (1980-1981)
• Urban villa in Pärnu (1995)
• National Library of Estonia (1993)
• Estonian EXPO Centre central pavilion (1997)
• Renovation of the Tallinn University of Technology athletics building (2003)
• Linnamäe Hydroelectric Station (2004)
• Keila-Joa Hydroelectric Station (2006)
• K90 Ski jump tower in Otepää (2006)
• Tehvandi Ski Centre in Otepää (2010)

Designs That Weren't Built

Not all of Raine Karp's ideas became real buildings. Here are a few projects that were planned but never built:

• A detailed plan for the Mustamäe residential district center in Tallinn (1970)
• Building VI of the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (1972)
• An addition to the Tallinn Central Post Office (1995)
• A renovation project for the Linnahall (2006)

Awards and Recognition

Raine Karp has received many honors for his work:

• 1976: Award of the USSR Council of Ministers
• 1978: Merited Architect of the Estonian SSR
• 1981: USSR Medal of Honour
• 1983: Main prize and gold medal at the International Union of Architects (for Tallinn Linnahall)
• 1984: USSR State Prize (for Tallinn Linnahall)
• 2006: Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia

Art Shows About His Work

Raine Karp's work has been featured in special art shows:

• "Architect Raine Karp" in 2006 at the Museum of Estonian Architecture.
• "Evenings at home. Architect Raine Karp's private houses and summer homes" from June to August 2016, also at the Museum of Estonian Architecture.

Books About Raine Karp

You can learn more about Raine Karp in the book:

• Raine Karp, Mait Väljas "Architect Raine Karp" published in 2016 by the Museum of Estonian Architecture. ISBN 9789949967957