Robert Natus

Robert Natus (16 March 1890 – 31 March 1950) was an Estonian architect of Baltic German descent.

Born in Viljandi, Estonia, Natus studied in Tallinn and Riga (in Riga Technical University). In 1939, Natus moved to Germany. His best known work is the current City Hall of Tallinn, built in 1932. With its red clinker mosaique façade and lanterns by the Estonian sculptor Jaan Koort, it is the most prominent building surrounding Freedom Square, and the most beautiful example of expressionist art deco in Tallinn.

Red clinker mosaique was soon copied on another of Natus' well-known building on the corner of Pärnu and Roosikrantsi street, only a few hundred meters from the City Hall. This building was inspired by Johann Friedrich Höger's Chilehaus in Hamburg. Natus has also created several functionalistic apartment buildings and private dwellings.

In 1920s Natus (together with Ernst Gustav Kühnert) drew the general plans for garden cities Merivälja and Nõmme, both just outside Tallinn (Nõmme was added to Tallinn in 1940). Natus died in Bad Wilsnack, Germany.

  • Tallinn City Hall, from 1932.
  • The main entrance of the City Hall.
  • One of the two lantern holders by the sculptor Jaan Koort.
  • Roosikrantsi 23/Pärnu 23, built in 1935.
  • Apartment houses on Kaarli avenue, built in 1933.
  • Private residence in Nõmme, built 1920s.

See also


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