In the heart of Tallinn, on the corner of Endla and Lõkke streets, we faced a challenge: how to create a home for 900 students that can be both urban and cozy, both representative and everyday? The winning entry in the Tõnismäe State Gymnasium architectural competition was born from a dialogue between the intense pulse of the city and the needs of the school world.

Our solution was based on a stepped volumetric solution that respects both the urban character of Endla street and the human dimension of the courtyard. The building steps down in terraces, creating a smooth transition between the dense city center and a more peaceful residential area. Through large glass facades, we bring the life of the school to the street, making education a visible part of the urban space.

What gives us the most pride is how we were able to combine modern technology and a creative learning environment. The open plan principle allows the rooms to communicate with each other – the black box becomes a concert hall, the hall becomes an exhibition or event space. There is never an empty classroom here, but there is always something lively and inspiring going on.

The result is a school that breathes with the city – a place, both architecturally and functionally, where education and city life intertwine into a single, holistic experience.