Estonian National Museum

The New Estonian National Museum is located in Tartu, close to the site of the original museum built before the Soviet occupation. The site is a waste area between two lakes and highways.

The design themes are to build a strong symbolic sculptural piece of architecture without compromising the needs of the user or the tight budget demand put on the project. The outer form is divided into a clean-cut white concrete building mass characterized by a sculptural glass entrance façade towards the lake and a covered public outdoor auditorium facing south. Offices remain in a more tolerable building while these two are connected by a tunnel.

The program of the museum is divided into two volumes: the museum volume and the administration volume. Visually the museum building is clean, timeless and monumental. This is made possible by the administration slab which is more toreable building and can visually be loaded with variable elements such as museum advertising, signs, event -related structures, etc.

The curved glass façade on the west cantilevers over the lake creating a strong visual element. Meanwhile on the ground level enough space is left for the entrances and the public route along the shore.

Rather than building a separate outdoor activity space the public auditorium is turned into a fundamental part of the architecture. The intention is to make the building available also to the ones not attending exhibition activities. Informal and formal gatherings, films, concerts, lectures etc. happen under a canvas canopy that covers the seating areas as well as the performance area.