Olev Siinmaa (November 12, 1881 – March 29, 1948),[1] was an Estonian architect who is perhaps best recalled for his work in the style coined "Pärnu Resort Functionalism".
Olev Siinmaa was born Oskar Siimann[2] in Pärnu into a joinery shop owner's family. He studied interior and furniture design in Wismar and Konstanz technical schools in Germany.[1] In 1925, he was appointed the architect of the city of Pärnu, Estonia.[1]
Siinmaa's first Functionalist design was in 1930 on Roosikrantsi Street in the Estonian capital of Tallinn.[1] Siinmaa is possibly best recalled as the architect (along with Anton Soans) of the Pärnu Beach Hotel, constructed between 1935 and 1937.[3]
Completed in 1937, the hotel has been described as the "flagship of the new functionalist architecture."[3] In 1938, Siinmaa, along with architect Alar Kotli competed to design the Presidential Palace, which was to be the Building of the Office of the then President of Estonia, Konstantin Päts.[4] Kotli designed the ceremonial spaces of the office building, while the President's Big Office was designed by Siinmaa.[4]
In 1944, Siinmaa emigrated to Norrköping, Sweden where he died in 1948.[2]
In 1994, after several years in disrepair, the Pärnu Beach Hotel was bought by Scandic Hotels, renovated and renamed the Scandic Rannahotell.[5] In 2016, another renovation was completed.[6]
- ^ a b c d MOMONECO: Pärnu Resort Functionalism
- ^ a b Ülar Saar: Olev Siinmaa 125
- ^ a b "Estonian Institute. The Pleasure of Mud. Estonian Summer Resort Architecture.". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ a b "The President of the Republic of Estonia". Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ "The Independent. Estonia: State of grace by Janet Street-Porter. 27 August 2005". Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "Taasavati legendaarne Pärnu Rannahotell". 8 June 2016.