Buro Happold is working with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects on the design for Estonia’s first eco-town.

If approved, the new community near Tallinn, the capital, will house about 6000 people.

A combination of wind farms and CHP systems will power the facilities and housing, and staggered building heights will be used to maximise solar gain and minimise overshadowing.

The homes are being designed to reduce emissions by 70% compared with regulations, and the masterplanning design will minimise the need to use powered transport.

The project, located on a 50 hectare site overlooking the Baltic, is expected to take 15-20 years to complete.