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]
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]