Puzzle design wins competition to reshape Tallinn Town Hall Square
Friday 23rd October 2026 on 17:01 in
Estonia
An architectural proposal called Pusle has won a competition to redesign Tallinn Town Hall Square, with movable street furniture intended to adapt to different seasons and events, ERR reports.
The winning concept was submitted by architecture firm Nikita Atikin OÜ. Its authors are Kristiina Way, Eva Kedelauk and Kristel Niisuke. The design draws on the square’s history and aims to improve movement between buildings and terraces.
The furniture could be rearranged for different uses, including a summer park and the traditional Christmas market. The plan also includes a minimalist Christmas market house. The jury praised the proposal’s distinctive, location-specific approach, saying its imperfections offered charm, ingenuity and potential for further development.
The competition sought a contemporary design that would expand how the square is used in daily life and during large events, while creating an accessible public space suited to its UNESCO World Heritage setting. Nine proposals were submitted, and eight qualified for evaluation.
The second-place proposal, Kalle, was submitted by LARS Studio OÜ, while MARELD landskapsarkitekter AB’s Kihid took third place. Encouragement awards went to Kolm Vakamaad, by Raev OÜ and OMENS OÜ, and Pärandimaastik, by STUUDIO TALLINN OÜ.
The competition had a prize fund of 50,000 euros. The winner was awarded 15,000 euros, the second-place entry 12,000 euros and the third-place entry 10,000 euros. Each encouragement award was worth 6,500 euros.
Design work is due to begin in December 2026, with archaeological surveys planned for May to September 2027. The Christmas market with its new concept is scheduled to open in 2027, and the permanent redesign of the square and surrounding streets is expected to be completed in June 2029.
The project is estimated to cost nine million euros, including VAT, of which 6.3 million euros will come from Tallinn’s budget. The work will include new paving, improved accessibility and movement, drainage upgrades, street furniture, lighting, archaeological surveys and renewal of underground utility networks.