University of Tartu’s academic building won recognition on Tartu City Day

On 29 June, Tartu City Day, the best building awards 2022 of Tartu were presented. Among others, the University of Tartu’s academic building at Lossi 3 won an award.  

The awards were presented in the best renovated building 2021, the schoolhouse of Tartu Karlova School on Salme street. The University of Tartu’s academic building at Lossi 3 won the title of the energy-smart building. The academic building houses the university’s Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures and the University of Tartu Press.  

Technological modernisation was a key part of the renovation of the academic building. The works included installing solar panels on its roof to balance energy consumption. Opportunities were created in the building to use a variety of teaching methods and to provide hybrid and distance learning. In addition, a new ventilation system with cooling was installed. All the upgrades were carried out, maintaining the original appearance of the building to comply with heritage conservation requirements. Read more on the institute’s website (in Estonian).  

The best buildings were awarded in a total of nine categories: the best integrated complex of blocks of flats and open space, the best new block of flats, the best new single-family house, the best renovated public building, the best renovated single-family home enhancing a built-up area of cultural or historical value, the new block of flats enhancing a built-up area of cultural or historical value, the new commercial building enhancing a built-up area of cultural or historical value, the energy-smart building, and the winner of people’s vote. See photos of the award-winning buildings on the city of Tartu website.   

The competition was open to all buildings to which a use and occupancy permit or notice was issued last year. The awards are granted to buildings in which the cooperation between the customer, the designer and the builder has yielded the best results. The city of Tartu has given the best building awards since 1999.