Pelgulinna State Gymnasium

Tallinna Pelgulinna Riigigümnaasium (PERG) is set to be completed in the autumn of 2023 when three state high schools will simultaneously open in Tallinn – in Mustamäe, Pelgulinn, and Tõnismäe.

Pelgulinna Riigigümnaasium will be one of the largest wooden buildings in Estonia. A distinctive feature of the building will be the spatial wooden lattice made of glued laminated timber, which will give the facade a three-dimensional appearance. The architects’ (Arhitekt Must OÜ) aim was to blur the line between the exterior and interior space. Based on this idea, three live trees will be planted inside the building. To further connect indoor and outdoor spaces, PERG will be surrounded by an outdoor area offering various activities (Kino Maastikuarhitektid OÜ). This park, sports, and exhibition area will allow for outdoor lessons and will be open to all interested parties. The interior architects (Pink OÜ) propose a free-form wooden staircase as the central element of the building, where everyone can find their place, way of being, and activity.

Pelgulinna Riigigümnaasium will be a unique and unifying learning environment for over a thousand students in grades 10-12. PERG is not just a school building; it is an educational, cultural, and community centre where activities are carried out collectively and flexibly. As one of PERG’s principles states: “We do not create a boring school in a boring way; we are bold.”

Tours of the new building will be led by PERG employees and students, who will talk about learning and working in this building, as well as the uniqueness of PERG and the joy of creating a new school.

Sustainable Solutions (Building Futures Together):

Local materials, particularly local wood, have been used, which are designed to last for generations. This is the best way to utilize wood. The shading solutions, both in terms of façade and automatic shading, have been well thought out. The building has forced-return ventilation, and intentionally, there is no automatic cooling. There are 360 bicycle parking spaces around the building, while only 40 car parking spaces are available.

As much tall vegetation has been preserved as the healthy condition allowed. In addition, many locally native trees have been planted alongside the pine trees. More than 80 trees have been planted in the school building’s courtyard. The majority of the outdoor area surrounding the courtyard is covered with granite gravel, which has a smaller carbon footprint compared to concrete pavement. For rainwater, efforts are made to soak it into the ground as much as possible, reducing the need for additional watering with clean water.

In landscaping, soil excavated from the same site (beneath the constructed building and roads) has been used, avoiding the transportation of soil from elsewhere for landscaping purposes. This makes it easier for local plants to continue spreading.