Rae Rist

High School Campus

The campus design re-interprets the Rae coat of arms and is organised around a 'cross' that connects all the key buildings with the surrounding context. A competition submission with Juhan Kangilaski (What If).

Competition brief.

The School building is for students aged 16-19 and is designed in two stages, to accommodate an expansion from 360 students to 540. The Sport building is meant to be used by the School as well as locals, with the overall campus becoming an important civic space. The School net area is 4500m2, while the Sport building is 1700m2.

Context-driven concept.

To anchor the proposal in local context, the Rae coat of arms was analysed and abstracted into a set of architectural principles — applying from masterplan down to the door handle.

A centrally positioned silver cross divides the coat of arms into four parts: diagonally positioned black areas symbolise the local farming tradition, while the red areas signify the location within Harju county. Black areas feature a stylised oak leaf, which references the local legend associated with Lehmja wood.

The proposal introduces a central circulation ‘cross’ that connects the heritage area to the North, Lehmja Wood to the South, new bus stop to the West. School buildings, built in two stages, are positioned diagonally to maximise views and daylight — their Japanese ‘yakisugi’ timber cladding chosen for its weather-resistance and symbolic black colour. The negative space created by the buildings and the cross forms distinct courtyards — a paved and acoustically sheltered square with amphitheatre steps to the North-East, a sunny and lush meadow with a reflection pool to the South-West.

To address the road noise to the South, the industrial noise to the West and unsightly substation to the East, a tall hedge with localised acoustic screens is introduced along the relevant edges. The tips of the cross pierce through this boundary, forming ‘portals’ that invite the public in. Pedestrian routes link to the cross, making it part of everyday circulation — for both students and general public, with the School campus becoming an important part of the Jüri urban experience.