EXPLORE SPACE!

The new permanent exhibition for children and young people teaches how to experience space and grasp the essence of architecture. The environment created in the vaulted basement of the Rotermann Salt Storage offers experiences for different senses, inviting everyone interested in architecture to smell and touch architecture and experience it with their whole body. Light design plays an important role at the exhibition, where the play of light and shadows draws out the old vaults and red brick columns of the salt storage – all covered with a permanent crust of salt. Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are greeted by a unique spatial installation Reflexio (designed by Grete Veskiväli, Krista Dintere and Rūta Palionytė), where a mirror floor and game of lights expands the boundaries of the viewer’s perception and the concept of physical space. A totally different experience is offered by the forest of ribbons hanging from the ceiling. Walking through it you will find a sphere – a safe nest for being on your own. Various display items direct children to identify different building materials and constructions, think about the ‘circulatory system’ of a house and the specific smells that relate to various rooms. There are tubes to crawl through and an animated book where rooms, streets and the entire city come alive as the pages are turned.

The exhibition is compiled by the teachers of the “School of Architecture” at the Museum of Estonian Architecture, who teach children how to think about space and help them look into houses and beyond – at the city and the natural environment. During the process of making the exhibition, school students also had a say by talking about the spaces they would enjoy being in and what they find fascinating about architecture. Explore Space! deals with the various facets of creating architecture, from the idea and the materials to the creation of the actual spatial experience.

Idea and design: Kadri Klementi, Katrin Koov, Kaire Nõmm (School of Architecture, b210)
Realisation of the exhibition: Motor
Illustrator: Teele Strauss (Motor)
Graphic design: Maris Kaskmann (Motor)
Video editing: Lauri Laasik (Motor)
Project manager of the exhibition: Mikk Roben (Motor)
Installation of the exhibition: Siltau Systems
Project manager of the installation: Tauno Tali (Siltau Systems)
Light design: Vallo Rähn (Illumination Team)
Light design consultant: Johanna-Mai Riismaa
Lightning consultant:Joan-Tähven Vene
Multimedia consultant: Reimo Unt
Project manager of the commissioner: Jüri Kulli (Ehitusagentuur)
Coordinator of the exhibition: Triin Ojari (Museum of Estonian Architecture)
Translation: Refiner Translations

The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture.

Video Piibe Kolka, sound Hang Massive