Tallinn recognizes the haunting nature of the Literature Center Museum renovation project

On May 27, 2025, the Tallinn Urban Planning Department recognized the owners, architects, and construction companies behind the exemplary restoration and renovation of historic buildings from the previous year. The renovation of the Estonian Academy of Sciences Under and Tuglas Literature Centre Museum also received appreciation for its outstanding restoration. As highlighted during the award ceremony, the installation of modern technical systems and the restoration of the museum’s interior were particularly remarkable: such large-scale work is rarely so unobtrusive, with the project’s ‘ghostliness’ being especially notable.

The large-scale renovation project that was completed last year took on the task to increase the building’s energy efficiency. The main focus was therefore on modernizing the technical systems and improving the building’s thermal insulation, but the work also involved renovating the interior of the museum. As the building is a national historical monument under heritage protection, the renovation required close collaboration between various institutions, as well as a careful balance between modern solutions and the need for preservation, all while navigating limited resources and time constraints.

We would like to extend our thanks to project manager Marin Jänes and construction manager Janar Vilde for their work on the renovation, as well as to the museum staff members Hegely Klaus, Iris Eelmaa, and Elle-Mari Talivee for their valuable contributions, advice, patience, packing, and much more.

We are also deeply grateful to Maris Mändel for her invaluable heritage conservation research and oversight, and to our excellent partners Anett Anton, Kirsi-Merilin Luik, and Claudia Valge from the Tallinn Urban Planning Department.

This year, the city recognized nearly 60 owners, architects, construction companies, and craftsmen for their restoration work on 33 properties completed last year. The recipients of this recognition are chosen by a commission consisting of representatives from the City of Tallinn’s heritage protection and environmental sectors, the Deputy Mayor’s Office, the City Council, and a representative of the National Heritage Board.