Laureate for the Annual Award of the Estonian Association of Landscape Architects for Co-created Space 2025
Landscape architecture
Gianfranco Franchi, Chiara Tesi, Rea Sepping (F+A maastikuarhitektuur)
Completed
2024
Location
Kolde pst / Ehte tn, Tallinn
Photos
Martin Pennaste, Martin Siplane

Näita kaardil
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TAGASI

Pelguaed is a great example of a sensitively created urban space, designed in close cooperation with the local community. The landscape architectural solution is based on natural and sustainable materials and diverse greenery – in addition to raised beds, there are also numerous fruit trees, shrubs and perennials that are jointly cared for by the gardening community. It is used for gardening as well as community events and environmental education activities, serving as a recreational area, a community garden and a learning space all at once. The garden has become a beloved hangout that is active also out of season as there are communal film nights in the greenhouse even in winter months. The well-considered layout of raised beds and patches and the calm and tasteful design of the elements is a good example of how growing food can be a natural and valuable part of modern living, bringing together environmental awareness, a sense of community and the joy of growing food.
Maria Derlõš, Community Gardening Project Manager of Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department

Pelgulinna community garden was one of those enjoyable projects where you could work with a great and active client. Community is a priceless resource as it deals with all important tasks that the city might otherwise struggle with – it provides security in the area, regulates activities, ensures maintenance and management and creates an increasingly important aspect in the urban space, that is, inclusion. The project team made every effort to keep the brief clear and include all key stakeholders in the discussion.

The main aim was to build a community garden that could be used by as many people as possible. The covered area for public events has been used for meetings, performances and presentations, open-air cafés, birthdays, outdoor trainings and many other joint activities. The feedback from the head of the NGO Pelguaed has been positive both in terms of design and the involvement of locals – the demand has so far exceeded the possibilities to provide more space. There are long queues – all applicants need to write a motivation letter and gardeners’ persistence in maintaining their patch or box is regularly checked with the owners of abandoned beds immediately held accountable. All other functions are similarly in active use. In some cases, the quality of the building materials has been somewhat questionable but in general everything seems to function well.

The area was enclosed by a fence to ensure safety and protect the inventory when the garden is not in use thus giving the gardeners some peace of mind. There are, of course, rare instances of people coming over the fence, with also foxes and hares among frequent visitors. Gardeners have installed hanging chairs on the pine tree as well as fences between the patches. There is room for creativity also in the greenhouse with a cosy nook for hiding from poor weather. It is gratifying to see the project area continue to grow on its own allowing people to enjoy outdoor living and ensure biodiversity.