In the beginning of April, representatives from the Art of Darkness project coordinating institution, the University of Oulu (UOULU), visited Tallinn to support the local rollout of activities and strengthen collaboration with project partners.
tallinn pilot site assessment
Hosted by TalTech’s Microgrids and Metrology Research Group, under the leadership of Professor Argo Rosin, the visit marked the beginning of in-depth work at Tallinn’s pilot site.
Associate professor Henrika Pihlajaniemi and doctoral researcher Ella Kantola from the University of Oulu led the visit, which focused on coordination, stakeholder engagement, and a technical site assessment. Coordinated by the University of Oulu, the project will unite in the next 3 years researchers, cities, and creative professionals to explore the aesthetic, cultural, and sustainability potential of darkness in urban landscapes and cultural heritage contexts.
exploring opportunities
Central to the discussions was Hirvepark, a key public space in the city and the focal point for the Tallinn pilot.
Together with representatives from several City of Tallinn departments, the team explored opportunities to integrate sustainable lighting strategies that acknowledge both cultural heritage and ecological sensitivity. Lighting measurements and preliminary spatial assessments were carried out as part of the project’s technical work package.
aligning efforts
The visit also served to align inter-institutional efforts and lay the groundwork for future co-creation with local stakeholders.
TalTech’s engagement is vital to ensuring that technical and design decisions are locally grounded and aligned with the broader aims of the Art of Darkness initiative. The Tallinn pilot is now well underway, with TalTech playing a central role in shaping a sustainable and context-sensitive approach to urban lighting.
Photos: © Microgrids and Metrology Research Group