Planning of the Holmi Quarter in Tartu

2017/ Encouragement prize/ 40 000m2

Category: Residential, Concept, Planning, Public

Authors: Gert Guriev, Markus Kaasik, Kerstin Kivila, Mihkel Meriste, Andres Ojari, Ilmar Valdur

ROHELINE is a holistic vision for the development of the Holmi block, where the riverside park along the Emajõgi, new housing and a government office building form a single urban green belt. The buildings on the left bank of the river are conceived as “park houses” – courtyard and atrium blocks set among city parks, gardens, squares and a riverside promenade. In this way the river park becomes a real oasis between the dense central districts of Tartu.

At the heart of the block is a network of public spaces: a varied river promenade with steps and terraces, an urban square that blends into the park, and active commercial streets along Raatuse Street and Narva Road. Routes designed for pedestrians and cyclists connect the riverside recreational area with the rest of the city centre, drawing both locals and visitors into the new quarter.

ROHELINE is based on an energy-efficient and contemporary way of living. The building volumes are oriented towards the sun, apartment buildings have terraces and roof terraces, solar panels are planned on the roofs, and the green atria of the government office improve the indoor climate. Development is concentrated into a few compact volumes in order to keep as much riverside land as possible as public green space and to create a new destination in Tartu city centre for living, working and spending time.