Kutse: Workshop “Tamsalu Schoolyard”

Invitation: International workshop “Tamsalu Schoolyard” for architecture students and young architects, June 12 to 15, 2025 in Tamsalu

The Estonian Association of Architects and the Youth Council of the association in collaboration with Tamsalu School are organising a workshop „Tamsalu Schoolyard“ for architecture students and young architects, from June 12 to 15, 2025 in Tamsalu. 

The workshop aims to improve the outdoor space of the school, making it fulfil the requirements for efficient outdoor learning and promote movement. The solution should improve the quality of public space in Tamsalu, prospering regional development, bettering the quality of life of the immediate community as well as strengthening local identity. The basic principles of high-quality space and inclusive design will be followed throughout the process.

The three-day workshop is open to architecture students and young architects from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Ukrainian war refugees residing in Estonia. A total of 28 young participants are expected to take part. The participants will be divided into teams of four to five members, formed at the beginning of the workshop. Each team will have members from different schools/countries.

On the introductory day, the evening of June 12, participants will get acquainted with the project area and the general concept of the task. The following three days will focus on developing projects. Participants will receive feedback from mentors three times a day, and the workshop will conclude with a public presentation of the final ideas. The local community, the school council, and representatives from Tapa municipality will also be involved.

On the first day, the work will take place in Tamsalu Cultural House; on subsequent days, the event will be held at Tamsalu School.

The workshop will be mentored by the Finnish architect and sound artist Joonas Parviainen (Arkkitehtitoimisto Joonas Parviainen) and Finnish artist and designer Susse Seppälä (Artist Collective Tuhmat), the Estonian mentor will be announced later.

The working language of the workshop is English.

The creative brief including more detailed preliminary schedules can be found here.

Awards will be distributed as follows:

•  1200 Euros for the best group project,
• 900 Euros for second place, and
• 600 Euros for third place.

We will cover:

• the bus/boat transport to Estonia and back (for Finnish and Latvian participants),
• train transport to and from Tamsalu,
• accommodation* (3 nights – 2 in Tamsalu and 1 in Rakvere),
• bus transport to and from Rakvere for the last night of accommodation and
• meals (except Saturday evening).

* Please note that there are 2 different accommodations in Tamsalu, they are both modest and have a training camp vibe. The first option is the Tamsalu Sports Complex Hostel and the second one is the Tamsalu Wallamaja.
The final night will be spent in Rakvere, at the Aqva Spa.

Registration is open until Wednesday, May 28 via Google Forms.

There is also a FB event created.

Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Thermory, Equitone, Tamsalu School and Tamsalu Sports Complex Hostel.

Graphic Design: Saskia Krautman