Robert Natus

Who was Robert Natus?

Robert Natus was an Estonian architect of Baltic German descent.

Born in Viljandi, Estonia, Natus studied in Tallinn and Riga. 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 drew the general plans for garden cities Merivälja and Nõmme, both just outside Tallinn. Natus died in Bad Wilsnack, Germany.