GREEN WAY. TARTU CULTURAL CENTRE
International architecture competition for the Tartu Cultural Center
Architects: Guess Line Architects/ Andrii Lesiuk, Mykhaylo Kohut, Kateryna Ivashchuk, Serhii Dilai, Yaroslav Ivaskiv, Yehor Perepeliuk, Solomiia Yarema
Project year: 2023
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Project year: 2023
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Competition website: https://www.tartu.ee/en/downtown-cultural-centre-architectural-design-competition
Organizers: Tartu City Government
Central park will always be a place of attraction for people, we would not want to take that away. Therefore, our intention is not only to preserve the green area but also to increase that, while filling those spaces with various functionalities to insure an active and vibrant live of the city.
From the first look at the building, it becomes clear that it is not an ordinary structure: it rises upwards, as if reviling the capacity of the earth’s surface. The green slope of the roof allows us to preserve a walking courtyard, ending with a panoramic observation place, which offers a breath taking view of the river and the city. The outdoor terrace will be enjoyable place to watch movies in the open air, reading books and also for a pleasant summer gatherings with a glass of wine and delicious food. Despite the unusual shape of the building all rooms were successfully placed in its volume.
The entrance area welcomes us with a museum shop, a dusky library hall and a café. From here one can easily get into all premises of cultural center. At the semi-ground level, the exhibition rooms of the museum are located. Right next to them are warehouses, for storing exhibits, an archive, workshop and other auxiliary premises. There is also an elevator which stretches for the entire height of the building and connected with a truck loading bay. On the same level one can find an art-house cinema and the office of Estonian Public Broadcasting. The Event rental premises and cultural centre are located above them. The open space of the library spreads over the second, third and fourth floors. The restaurant is located on the fourth floor and has an access to a large terrace on top.
Since our aim was to preserve the park area as much as possible, it would had been appropriate to lower Vabaduse Street underground. By doing that, it was possible to combine the square and quay into a continuous, accessible public space. This way the area of landscaping will increases which will compensate for the negative impact of the construction. Children’s playgrounds, sports grounds, recreational areas and other interesting sights where residents will be able to spend their leisure time are designed around the centre. Next to the nearby shopping centre a bicycle parking will be placed instead a car park. The vehicles will be parked under the building where the entrance is provided directly from underground tunnel.
The main frame of the building is made of reinforced concrete, it is solid, long lasting and weather resistant. Partitions, covering materials and façade elements are an environmentally friendly and recyclable. This will allow to reduce a carbon footprint, as well as making the building reliable and steady. The façades of the centre are made of glass and pilasters supporting the green slope. Natural light shines through the entire building, creating a sense of harmony between interior and exterior space. Round skylight windows of various sizes are scattered around the roof top. They allow plenty of natural light to come through and deliver that into a heart of the building.
