Rural architecture
In peasant society, there are no clear boundaries between public and private areas. At that time, the houses were not divided into rooms of different purposes as we are accustomed today.
Older farm houses, which are mostly found in the southern part of Mulgimaa – in Halliste, Karksi and Helme parishes - do not differ much from each other. These were primarily simple and relatively long and low log houses with a high half-hipped roof and two chimneys, some were also built of bricks (Pärdi 2012).
Estonian rural architecture changed significantly in the 20th century. Particularly in Mulgimaa, residential architecture reached to a whole new level just before World War I. The new generation and new owners were better educated and had a wider perspective than their ancestors. They became more demanding in terms of both, appearance and interior as well as living conditions.
Farming buildings were renewed or with even more enthusiasm than dwellings. At the beginning of the 20th century, another important change occurred at farmhouses – the rustic and traditional low houses started „growing upwards“. They started using attics and building bay windows and dormers.
At the beginning of the 20th century, they also started building both, closed and open staircases and porches to barn dwellings. The first architect's house was built as early as in 1913 in Mulgimaa in Puisi village (Pärt, 2012). In 1920s and 1930s, many dwellings at farms were designed by architects or engineers.
The Estonian state gave to thousands of new farmers a long-term construction loan, but on the condition that the house would be built according to the design.
