Taru is more than a building

Taru (beehive in Estonian) is a living system – much like a beehive – where ideas, knowledge and experience move freely and grow through collaboration. Here, the public sector, science, businesses and communities come together to explore solutions to the major questions shaping our living environment.

The building complex is open to everyone – to those who come to explore, learn and spend time here, as well as to those who work every day on the future of our environment and spatial development.

A place to be curious

Nearly a third of the Taru complex is open to visitors. Here you can explore the museum, attend events, enjoy the restaurant, or simply spend time in a green and inspiring environment.

Taru aims to become a place where knowledge, community and a new quality of urban space meet – a place that encourages curiosity, questions and new ideas.

Born from the collaboration between people and nature, Taru works toward a future where living in balance with nature becomes easier, wiser and more natural in Estonia.

Taru is an investment in the future – in nature education, high-quality urban space and environmentally responsible construction.

A new home for the Estonian Museum of Natural History

The largest occupant of Taru will be the Estonian Museum of Natural History. In its new home, the museum will have significantly larger and more contemporary spaces, allowing visitors to discover nature and its connections with people in entirely new ways.

The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Art of Coexistence, tells the story of the relationship between people and nature through the landscapes and species of Estonia. The exhibitions help reveal the richness of nature’s interconnected systems and the ways humans can live in balance with them.

Alongside the museum, the building will host temporary exhibitions, events, conferences and meetings. Taru is a place to gather, learn, discuss and discover.

Estonia’s leading expertise in environment and spatial development

Taru brings together several organisations working in the fields of environment and spatial development: the Estonian Museum of Natural History, the Environmental Board, the Estonian Environment Agency, the Environmental Investment Centre, the IT Centre of the Ministry of Climate, and the Land and Spatial Development Board.

Bringing these institutions together creates new opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration and providing society with clear and reliable environmental information. Taru aims to be a place where solutions emerge that help people and nature function better together.

Around 570 people will work here, focusing on the future of nature, space and our living environment. Moving into this new, efficient building will also help the state reduce administrative costs by up to €700,000 per year.

The building will also offer space for environmentally minded companies and non-profit organisations. If you are interested, please contact Taru Director Riina Roosipuu at [email protected].

The main builing of Taru. Photo: Kaupo Kalda.

The whole complex of Taru. Foto: Tõnu Tunnel

An architectural landmark and a showcase of Estonian timber construction

Taru will be the largest public timber building in Estonia. With a total floor area of 24,660 square metres, the complex consists of three interconnected buildings: the Dock Building, the City Building and the Museum Building.

Constructed largely from wood, the building will lock away approximately 3,900 tonnes of carbon, demonstrating the potential of contemporary timber architecture. Designed as a near-zero-energy building, Taru brings together architecture, engineering and energy efficiency in a single, forward-looking structure.

The outdoor space plays an equally important role. The central courtyard will be landscaped to reflect characteristic Estonian natural habitats, creating opportunities for outdoor learning while visually and functionally connecting the buildings into a cohesive whole.

Taru is being built based on the winning design of the 2019 international architecture competition. The project was designed by the Estonian architecture studio Kavakava (architects Siiri Vallner, Indrek Peil, Kristel Niisuke and Ko Ai). The building is being constructed by Nordecon, whose winning construction bid amounts to €54.4 million (excluding VAT).