Tartu Downtown Cultural Center

The Estonian word hiis refers to a sacred grove—places of deep cultural and spiritual significance where people once gathered for rituals, offerings, and seasonal celebrations. More than sites of worship, these groves were also centers of community life, where stories, food, and music were shared. The new cultural center in Tartu reinterprets the spirit of the hiis. Surrounded by dense rows of native trees, the building sits within a natural buffer that offers both privacy and seclusion. Architecture, light, and shadow echo the atmosphere of the groves, creating spaces that invite participation rather than passive contemplation. Like wandering through a forest, visitors move through the center in a fluid sequence of spaces—places to study, perform, play, listen, and work. The design moves away from conventional exhibition halls and classrooms, blending instead with its natural surroundings to foster community and connection. The site itself shaped the project. Old, densely planted trees outline the edges of the block, recalling where buildings once stood. Instead of erasing this natural facade, the design preserves it—placing the new structure at the heart of the site. The trees form an architectural street edge, their generous canopies filtering sunlight and shaping outdoor rooms. Inside and outside merge seamlessly, making the cultural center both a building and a grove: a contemporary hiis for all.