Scandinavian Vibe on the Outskirts of Tallinn
Liven’s interior architect Lennart Lind shares his thoughts on the new cosy Iseära development that mostly consists of terraced houses. Here, the living spaces seamlessly transition into courtyard areas and the courtyard becomes a shared backyard. Interestingly, Lennart himself has grown up in a terraced house that was planned by his grandfather.
Is Iseära the first project for Liven where interior architects have assisted homebuyers in creating personalised homes?
Yes, I have been involved with the future residents of Iseära from the beginning, and throughout the process, this project has become very dear to me.
What makes Iseära and its homes so special?
Usually, we design homes from the inside out because it allows us to create the most functional homes. The main idea in Iseära is the fact that this synergy goes both ways. Boundaries disappear – what happens inside is connected to what happens outside, and vice versa. The entire solution has come together through the interaction between the interior and the exterior. Openness, starting from glass exterior doors to living rooms opening up to terraces, is crucial in this environment.
Externally, it is certainly not your typical Estonian terraced house – the architecture and atmosphere of Iseära homes are largely inspired by Scandinavian architecture and lifestyle. None of the houses are exactly the same, so both the neighbourhood as a whole and each home within it are somewhat unique.
This results in a comprehensive and natural living environment, where landscape and architecture go hand in hand. In Estonia, this approach is rather new. Since Iseära is not fully completed yet, it might be difficult to grasp at first sight, but in a couple of years, even a stranger will understand the integrity of the development, and that perspective has been the most inspiring for me.
The nearby Lake Harku must have a calming effect, right?
The proximity to water definitely affects the atmosphere of the area. The lake is right next to Iseära, and the sea is not far either. It’s also somewhat cool that the Õismäe towers are visible in the background as an interesting contrast. For me, there is something romantic about it, as if they are telling the story of where we come from.
So, Iseära is set to become a pleasant lakeside community?
I’m confident that it will become a great community. Especially when like-minded people in similar stages of life come together. We can’t force people to live in a certain way, but creating a sense of community is crucial – I believe the environment contributes to the development of that feeling. We haven’t surrounded the plots with fences, they are not separated by walls. Initially, it might feel odd to some, but now we have an ideal opportunity to change that mindset.
Shall we take a look at the show apartment as well?
I like to think of a home as a gallery space where a person enters and spreads their life around. Each person’s home should be like their own exhibition space, either for themselves or for sharing with others.
The keywords in the interior are naturalness, genuine materials, and harmony with the surroundings. The goal has not been to overly stylize it. There aren’t any bold colours or eye-catching solutions; an overly flashy interior wouldn’t suit this environment. I really like colours, but there’s always a risk of getting tired of them – the show home has an overall calm impression, without immediately noticeable bursts of colour.
A very important aspect in creating this show home (and actually, all other Iseära homes) has been selecting materials that will endure emotionally and physically over time. Genuine materials age gracefully and retain their value for a long time.
Creating the show apartment has been, in a sense, a broader reflection on the process of creating a home. Whenever I design an interior, I always try to relate to it personally, thinking about how I would like to live there. That’s how a more personal connection with the designs develops. However, it’s always a conflicting process because the correct solutions in these cases are relative.
I don’t think it’s necessary to describe in detail the choices made in this terraced house because that’s not the most important part. What truly matters is the feeling the space evokes, and it’s challenging to convey that feeling through a description.
Creating a sense of home is certainly important. What contributes to that?
Ultimately, it is the individual who makes their home feel like a home. But we have contributed by providing good planning and utilising the space as efficiently as possible. We have thought about how it would be comfortable to live in these homes and have pre-solved many things.
The future residents have had a say in the floor plans, materials, colours, and furniture. Liven has offered quite a wide selection of combinations, and most of the residents have found something they like. I believe the idea of a home begins with the floor plan, which is relatively universal. What is created within it is more about emotions.
MORE PHOTOS OF ISEÄRA HOUSES AND DEMO HOME