Büroo Laial Tanaval Tartus. image © Terje Ugandi

This year’s annual awards in the field of Estonian architecture were handed out on December 4th at a gala evening at the Kultuurikatel (Cultural Boiler) in Tallinn. The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation recognised the work done in recent years by Kadarik Tüür Architects with an award. The works in question are the Tondiraba Ice Arena, the University of Tartu Institute of Physics, and the Viljandi Song Stage. 

Tondiraba Ice Arena. image © Konstant

Tondiraba Ice Arena. image © Kaido Haagen.

Tondiraba Ice Arena. image © Kaido Haagen.

Minister of Culture Indrek Saar announced the award winners. “The creative work of this year’s laureates enriches the architectural landscape in Estonia. The issue nevertheless is the living environment, which has to become more people-friendly, diverse and functional, not only visually but also cognitively. In addition to the laureates, all the nominees also deserve recognition.”

Tartu Füüsikum Institute of Physics. image © Kaido Haagen. 

Tartu Füüsikum Institute of Physics. image © Kaido Haagen.

In total, over 16 awards were given out in different categories by the Association of Estonian Interior Architects, the Association of Estonian Landscape Architects, the Association of Estonian Architects and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

Viljandi Song Stage. image © Paco Ulman.

The Association of Estonian Architects awarded the association’s annual prize for the first time. Peeter Pere and his team earned it for the Southern Estonia building complex. The award is financed by AS Merko Ehitus. The Association of Estonian Landscape Architects awarded its Achievement of the Year in Estonian Landscape Architecture prize to the Association of Estonian Architects for the Republic of Estonia 100 architectural programme Good Public Space (working group consisting of Kalle Vellevoog, Ingrid-Mald Villand, Ylle Rajasaar). This award is financed by the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

Viljandi Song Stage. image © Elmo Riig.

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prizes were awarded in seven categories: best historical interior, best office, best home, best exhibition, best restaurant, best public space and best installation. These awards are financed by the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

Eramu Tartumaal Southern Estonia building complex. image © Erakogu

NOA Restaurant. image © Terje Ugandi

The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation prizes were awarded in four categories: work in the field of architecture, renovation, restoration and architecture. NOA Restaurant (KAMP Architects, interior architect Tarmo Piirmets) earned the most recognition with both the Architecture Foundation’s Architecture Award and the Association of Estonian Interior Architects Award for Best Restaurant.

The remaining award-winners are as follows:
The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation Award for work in the field of architecture: the doctoral dissertation Critical Historiography of Modern Architecture. Treatments of Modernity in the Architectural Historical Texts of Leo Gens and Leonhard Lapin in the 1960’s – 1980’s by Epp Lankots. The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation Award for architecture: the doctoral dissertation Boundary Disruptions: Late-Soviet Transformations in Art, Space and Subjectivity in Tallinn 1968–1979 by Andres Kurg.

Maarjamäe lossi tallihoone, the stable building at Maarjamäe Castle. image courtesy of Estonian Association of Interior Architects.

Maarjamäe lossi tallihoone, the stable building at Maarjamäe Castle. image courtesy of Estonian Association of Interior Architects.

The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation Award for renovation: the stable building at Maarjamäe Castle, authors Jaak Huimerind and Tarmo Piirmets.

Villa in Pärnu. image © Jaak Huimerind

Villa in Pärnu. image © Terje Ugandi

The Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Architecture Foundation Award for restoration: a villa in Pärnu, authors Jaak Huimerind and Mari Kurismaa.

The Energy Discovery Centre. image © Arno Mikkor

The Energy Discovery Centre. image © Arno Mikkor

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best historical interior: the Energy Discovery Centre, authors Sander Aas, Margit Aule, Margit Argus, Pelle-Sten Viiburg, Kadri-Maria Mitt, Robi Jõeleht and Kaarel Nõmmik.

Hedon Spa in Pärnu. image © Paco Ulman. 

Hedon Spa in Pärnu. image © Paco Ulman.

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best public interior: Hedon Spa in Pärnu, authors Tüüne-Kristin Vaikla, Urmo Vaikla, Tuuli Trei and Margit Teikari.

Office on Lai Street in Tartu. image courtesy of Estonian Association of Interior Architects.

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best office: office on Lai Street in Tartu, authors Ville Lausmäe, Kariina-Kristiina Kaufmann, Peeter Klaas and Kadi Karmann.

Eisma harbour building. image © Jarek Joepera

Eisma harbour building. image © Jarek Joepera

Eisma harbour building. image © Ruudi Kivinurm

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best home: Eisma harbour building, authors Mari Kurismaa and Indrek Allmann.

The Nation on a Chessboard exhibition. image © Terje Ugandi

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best exhibition: the Nation on a Chessboard exhibition and learning environment in the Maarjamäe Castle stable building, author Tarmo Piirmets.

The Parliament 95 travelling exhibition. image © Janno R.

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best installation: the Parliament 95 travelling exhibition, authors Janno Roos, Andres Labi, Ionel Lehari, Maret Põldre and Taavi Rull.

Art Priori. image © Tonu Tunnel

Art Priori. image © Tonu Tunnel

Art Priori. image © Tonu Tunnel

The Association of Estonian Interior Architects prize for best restaurant: Art Priori, author Kristel Jakobson (the Association awarded two prizes for best restaurant, NOA was mentioned above).

The three professional associations in the field of architecture awarded prizes in joint cooperation for the first time. An exhibition introducing all the nominees is open in the future home of the Estonian Academy of Arts (the former SUVA sock factory) at the address Kotzebue 1, Tallinn until 18 December. The same exhibition will be open to visitors later at the Estonian Museum of Architecture (Ahtri 2, Tallinn) from 30 December until 17 January.

> via Estonian Association of Interior Architects