Salto AB designs a river port in Tartu
Emajõe Barge Society is preserving the traditional river barge building culture that started in the Middle Ages with Hanseatic League economy. Salto Architects’ Lodjakoda (Barge Chamber) design for the new river port with boat construction workshops, storages, offices, seminar spaces, café, sauna, and lifeguard for public beach stems from the natural situation of Emajõgi shore in Tartu. The main idea of the building complex is to be as closely tied to the water as possible. On the other hand, it is equally important to create transparent spacial perception between the chain of volumes. Therefore, the triangular and rhomb shaped volumes stretch along the shore and open the public area of the port to the sunny South side. In addition to the indoor and ship construction activities, the new complex creates a specific open courtyard that allows various outdoor events, i.e. concerts, parties or performances, etc.