Olev Siinmaa

The Pärnu Beach Hotel

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 Sinnmaa 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 Funcionalist 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 The Paslepa Residence, 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]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} MOMONECO: Pärnu Resort Functionalism
2. ^ ^{a b} Ülar Saar: Olev Siinmaa 125
3. ^ ^{a b} Estonian Institute. The Pleasure of Mud. Estonian Summer Resort Architecture.
4. ^ ^{a b} The President of the Republic of Estonia
5. ^ The Independent. Estonia: State of grace by Janet Street-Porter. 27 August 2005

Persondata
Name	Sinnmaa, Olev
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1881
Place of birth
Date of death	1948
Place of death