Construction on Loodusmaja has commenced along Tallinn's rapidly developing seaside promenade in Noblessner. Estonia's largest wooden building is underway at Vesilennuki 12 in Tallinn's Kalamaja district, adjacent to Lennusadam, with the Estonian Natural History Museum as its primary occupant. Additionally, Loodusmaja will house various Tallinn sub-institutions of the Ministry of Climate, consolidating entities such as the Environmental Board, the Environmental Agency, the Center for Environmental Investments, the Information Technology Center of the Ministry, and the planned Land and Spatial Board. The Climate Ministry itself will continue operations at the Ministries Joint Building, located at Suur-Ameerika 1.
Originally named Keskkonnamaja, Loodusmaja emerged victorious in the public international architecture competition held in 2019 by the Estonian architectural firm Kavakava OÜ, led by architects Siiri Vallner, Indrek Peil, Kristel Niisuke, and Ko Ai.
Originally named Keskkonnamaja, Loodusmaja emerged victorious in the public international architecture competition held in 2019 by the Estonian architectural firm Kavakava OÜ, led by architects Siiri Vallner, Indrek Peil, Kristel Niisuke, and Ko Ai. The winning design envisioned a central block concept, resulting in an ensemble of three interconnected buildings rising from underground: a five-story office building (dock building), a four-story office building (city hall), and a museum building.
Serving as the backbone of this complex, the Natural History Museum links the institutions and functions across all three structures. The combined height of the complex exceeds 20 meters above ground level, with the museum building featuring a distinctive triangular ground plan and a total height difference of ten meters. The project includes plans for one underground floor within the building complex, with a projected closed net area of 24,660 m2.
The outdoor space and greenery connecting the buildings are integral components of Loodusmaja's design. Through landscaping, an experimental approach aims to establish diverse communities representative of Estonian nature within the courtyard, which also serves as an outdoor learning environment.
Nordecon, the construction company, secured the Riigi Kinnisvara tender for Loodusmaja's construction, with an estimated cost of 54.3 million euros excluding VAT. Construction commenced in January 2024, with an anticipated completion date in summer 2026. The new permanent exhibition at Loodusmaja is slated to open to visitors in early 2027. As the largest wooden building for public use in Estonia, Loodusmaja is poised to set an example of environmental sustainability, serving as a beacon for the green revolution and a center of competence in the field.
For more details, the winning entry of the Loodusmaja architectural competition can be accessed on the website of the architecture firm KAVAKAVA.
Keskkonnamaja / Kavakava arhitektuuribüroo
Keskkonnamaja arhitektuurikonkursi võitis arhitektuuribüroo Kavakava | Riigi Kinnisvara (rkas.ee)