LLRRLLRR: Loose Knots

The Estonian architectural studio of Laura Linsi and Roland Reemaa (LLRRLLRR) presents three projects that draw inspiration from traditional practices of adaptive reuse and the crudeness found in the Baltic landscape, whilst also benefiting from a proactive approach to both commissioning and implementing projects.

The buildings we come across along roads far from Tallinn or other urban centres appear somewhat secondary in comparison to the landscape—they are sparsely distributed, always adapted to their surroundings and built to support what takes place around them rather than inside them. They are firmly rooted in their location and consist of assemblages of locally available materials sourced from the surrounding land or via major trade routes. As bearers of the material cultures of a given place, they defy standardisation.

A departure from what is considered the norm in the architectural profession is essential to LLRRLLRR. In their projects, they seek to challenge prevailing tastes, funding, and established procedures in design competitions and commissioning processes, which have become all too central to architectural practice.

In addition to the duo’s projects, the exhibition presents the works produced during Paraply, an architecture summer workshop that Laura and Roland led in Copenhagen. The exhibition features works by Estonian textile artist Johanna Ulfsak and English-Belgian artist Chris Evans, with whom the architects collaborate closely on numerous projects.

LLRRLLRR is founded by architects Laura Linsi and Roland Reemaa. LLRRLLRR’s projects are informed by design principles and construction methods that emerge from the site. They rely on situated knowledge and collaborations with local communities, material producers, artists and institutions—Laura and Roland often embrace the fruitful role of the dilettante. They work on architectural design projects, write, curate and teach at the Estonian Academy of Arts and at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

Supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the Embassy of Estonia in Prague.