The University of Tartu and the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences opened a joint building in Narva

On Friday, 2 October, a college and dormitory building jointly administered by the University of Tartu, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (EASS) and the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) was opened on Paul Keres street in Narva. About a quarter of the 9,708 m2 building will be used by students of the University of Tartu.

The Administrative Manager of the University of Tartu Narva College Jaanus Villiko said that the college had been waiting for the new dormitory building for a bit more than 20 years. Rector of the university Toomas Asser was also happy that this long-awaited dream has finally come true. “The presence of the national university in Narva is indispensable for the advancement of the region, which is why the University of Tartu has taken the development of Narva college very seriously for 20 years already,“ commented Asser. Rector added that the university alone could not have offered the college members living conditions as good as those created now in cooperation with the EASS and the PBGB. “I do hope that now the joint building has been completed we can continue our substantial cooperation and strengthen the understanding that education is central for the future of Ida-Virumaa.”

The dormitory has 30 twin rooms, three rooms with disabled access, 15 one- and six two-person flats for the students and, if needed, teaching staff of the University of Tartu. According to Liina Kuusik, Accommodation and Marketing Manager of MTÜ Tartu Üliõpilasküla (Tartu Student Village), the twin rooms have two beds, two desks, shelves, a wardrobe, a fridge, a toilet and a shower. “The twin rooms share one kitchen located on the floor,” she added. The one- and two-person flats have their own kitchen and balcony.

The building also includes the dormitory and study rooms of the EASS and some rooms built for the PBGB. Tenants will be sharing the self-service laundry with washing machines and dryers as well as a separate bicycle storage room.

A shooting gallery for the students of the EASS is located on the EASS’s side of the dormitory. The swimming pool in the middle of the building can be used by everyone.

In terms of construction, the main characteristic of the building lies in its three wooden dormitory floors, making it the largest wooden public building in Estonia to date. The architectural solution of the study, accommodation and training complex was made by Kolm Pluss Üks, the interior design by T43 and the landscape design by OÜ Tajuruum. All public and semi-public spaces are on the ground floor while the dormitory rooms are above the street level. The atrium crossing the entire building has been divided into active and resting zones.

The winner of the art contest announced by the EASS and the University of Tartu, aiming to find the most suitable artistic work for the public square in front of the building, was the work entitled “Otium reficit vires” by Oliver Soomets. The submitted work – a giant pillow – refers to the importance of rest in restoring strength, but also to mental invigoration resulting from studies in the new facility.

The contractual cost of the building was 18.5 million euros (incl. VAT). The share of the University of Tartu was 4.5 million euros.

Further information: Johanna Tau, Communication Specialist, Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, 511 9341, johanna.tau@sisekaitse.ee