the estonian national museum both celebrates and pays homage to the country’s history, independence as well as its unique cultural traditions. located in the city of tartu, the brief called a 34,000 sqm building that would successfully house a collection of 140,000 objects.
the vast scheme realized by paris-based firm DGT architects challenged the initial brief by relocating the building from the proposed site to choosing a former soviet military base as the setting for the museum. this approach of adaptive reuse not only represents the history but plays an essential role in the regeneration of the area. using a sensitive implementation of the site, the national museum becomes a continuation of the airfield – its roof lifting and expanding towards ‘infinite space’ – inviting the visitor to enter into the landscape and into the heart of the museum. DGT’s proposal creates an open house for public activities – exhibition, performance, learning – a place of gathering and interaction, bringing people together to celebrate a rich and deep-rooted history.
all images © takuji shimmura
the architects decided to not use the site propose but adapt a nearby building instead
the construction of the museum should play an essential role in the regeneration of the area
DGT architects (9 articles)
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great intervention… I would like to see how was the bulding in its origin.
What is it with Soviet era architecture – it always seems to have some imposing large dark mass hovering above your head – kind of like their government
What a brave strategy & an elegant execution.
Transforming a singularity of function, a forbidding & inaccessible structure into a social & cultural centre; a sublime ‘lantern’, seeming to glide across the snowy landscape.
Congratulations to the designer & Estonia.
I think there was a misunderstanding. The whole building is new. It wasn’t there before. It is, however, integrated in the former soviet military airfield. So yeah, it’s not soviet era architecture, which was (and sometimes still is) really ugly and brutal. The new museum building is, however, minimalist and shows the brutality of the soviet side of history.