Workshop: Who is allowed to touch the water of Lake Ülemiste?

The Estonian Association of Architects invites you to participate in a workshop aimed at finding solutions to open Tallinn’s largest green area to city residents. Lake Ülemiste is a paradoxical place – vitally necessary for everyone, yet closed to the public for security reasons. In the workshop, we will seek solutions that balance nature conservation and sanitary protection, geopolitical security, and the interests of city residents. The results of the workshop’s analysis and spatial strategies will be used as input for the Tallinn city master plan.

The workshop will be moderated by the architectural collective Tektuur. Experts involved in the mentoring include: Ann Kristiin Entson (Tallinn Urban Planning Department), Karmen Jääger (Tallinn Urban Planning Department), Siiri Vallner (Kavakava), Juhan Teppart (Kino maastikuarhitektid), and Prostorož (Slovenia).
We welcome applications from architects as well as Master’s students in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning who want to have a say in shaping the future of Tallinn.

Time: October 22–25, 2026
Location: Tallinn (exact venue to be specified)
Working language: English / Estonian (international group)
Number of places: 20 participants
We offer: a participation fee of EUR 150 for each participant, catering, and accommodation for international participants.

Application is open until September 11th.
Apply here: https://forms.gle/Z8eZAXYLsGqe7v8N9
In case of questions, write to: tektuur@gmail.com

The workshop focuses on 4 key nodes:
The water treatment plant area in the north: Seamless connections between the Luite subdistrict and Veerenni Street.
The Tartu Road “promenade”: Linking the Airport, Ülemiste City, and Peetri small town with the city center.
Järve forest: Nature conservation and recreational sports opportunities.
The eastern side: Opening up the lake to the residents of Peetri.

The workshop begins with a guided discovery tour around Lake Ülemiste. We will explore the history of Tallinn’s water management and map the movement of water, boundaries, control, and emotions. We will meet with stakeholders: a dialogue will take place with representatives from Tallinna Vesi, the Tallinn Urban Planning Department, Ülemiste City, and civic organizations.

The work will take place across three scales:
L-scale: urban connections, light traffic paths, connection with Peetri small town, and the question—should the Härjapea River be restored?
M-scale: landscape and the sanitary protection boundary zone (90 m). What is the physical boundary between human and water?
S-scale (small forms): maximum impact with minimal intervention (including the issue of the Tallinna Vesi fence).
It is possible to create a physical model or a 1:1 scale prototype in Tektuur’s premises using their machinery.