This museum offers a record of the phases of Estonian culture and history and serves as an introduction to a cultural archipelago, Fenno-Ugric languages and cultures. Rather than existing as a spatial continuity, these cultures are geographically scattered. Consequently, the museum is conceived as an archipelago as well: The exhibition spaces are ‘islands’, surrounded by a ‘flood’ of spaces. Islands exist in ‘water’ – oceans, rivers, or lakes which sort material into geological layers, becoming sedimentary rock and islands.

Client

State of Estonia

Role

competition entry, building design

Scope

competition entry, building design

Time

2005

Team

Antti Ahlava in collaboration with Kivi Sotamaa; assistant Teddy Pauly