"Our Tartu" in Tartu City Museum

"Our Tartu" is the immersive permanent exhibition of the Tartu City Museum, exploring the history and stories of the city's neighbourhoods through 17 unique chapters.

Client:

Tartu City Museum

Name of the exhibition:

Permanent exhibition "Our Tartu"

Location:

Tartu, Estonia

Exhibition area:

370 m²

Year:

2024

Scope of work:

Development, engineering, production, installation and project management.

Interior Architecture:

Pult Expo

Photography:

Mailis Vahenurm

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About

Despite being a small city, Tartu boasts remarkably diverse neighbourhoods that are primarily defined by community identity rather than official boundaries. The exhibition showcases over 200 years of local history through compelling artefacts like the restored town hall tower clock, a vintage Annelinn elevator, and the famous Ropka bread truck.

Interactive elements invite visitors to contribute their own stories and memories, making it a living, breathing tribute to Tartu's rich urban tapestry. From Jaamamõisa's greenhouse to Supilinn's preserves, “Our Tartu” offers unexpected glimpses into the city's intimate local life, encouraging visitors to become part of the narrative.

History

The "Our Tartu" exhibition is located in a noble palace built in 1790, which now houses the Tartu City Museum. This is the first stone building in the Petersburg district, in today's Ülejõe area. The standout room of the museum is the beautiful hall, which is in late classical style.

Challenges and Goals

Completing a museum in just 2.5 months could only be done by exceptional teamwork and dedication. Success meant close collaboration across all departments, with each team member bringing expertise to the project. We managed to overcome the tight deadlines without making compromises in the quality of museum design or the final visitor experience. The result was a museum that not only met expectations but well exceeded them.

Highlight

What makes the "Our Tartu" exhibition special is that the city is not introduced through typical methods of displaying documents, photos, and objects, but rather the city's story unfolds through local voices, stories, and emotions.

Tartu City Museum and “Our Tartu” were designed with the belief that a city's story is the sum of its residents' stories, including beloved scents, views, tastes, friends and memories of the city. This intimate, personal Tartu is what has solidified its place in the hearts of both those who have always lived there, as well as those who experience the city for the first time.

Testimonials

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"Our Tartu" in Tartu City Museum

"Our Tartu" in Tartu City Museum

"Our Tartu" is the immersive permanent exhibition of the Tartu City Museum, exploring the history and stories of the city's neighbourhoods through 17 unique chapters.

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