The Krulli quarter in Tallinn has been a significant part of the city’s industrial landscape for decades. Situated on the border of Kalamaja and Pelgulinn, the area was established in 1899 when Franz Krull founded a modern machinery factory on the site. The production activities, which included locomotive manufacturing and heavy equipment assembly, shaped the identity of the district for over a century.
After a long period of stagnation and the decline of industrial output, the Krulli area is now undergoing transformation. At the heart of this shift is the Greenhouse – a historic factory building whose physical and conceptual space opens up the possibility to merge industrial heritage with contemporary creativity, work, and community life.
The former assembly hall and warehouse is being transformed into a multifunctional centre where workspaces, public areas, studios, and events come together. The Greenhouse is one of the first buildings in the Krulli development to be fully reconstructed, setting the tone for the area’s future direction.
This transformation is being carried out in collaboration between the Danish architecture firm COBE and Estonia’s KOKO architects. COBE brings an international spatial vision and strong expertise in reinterpreting existing environments, while KOKO provides local insight and a sensitive approach to historical context. At the core of the collaboration is a shared ambition to preserve and highlight the site’s existing values — not to replace them.
COBE founder Dan Stubbergaard has said: “We firmly believe in urban transformation and in reusing what already exists. The Krulli site is a treasure box of materials, buildings and urban qualities just waiting to be transformed and reused. A ‘resource stair’ approach establishes a hierarchy for all materials found on site and any new additions. Reuse is always the highest priority, leaving carbon intensive concrete as the last choice.”
The Greenhouse is not simply a workplace or a cultural center — it is a hybrid spatial form that embraces adaptability and evolving uses. It is not a building with a fixed function, but a place designed for growth. Inside, workspaces, community corners, outdoor cafés, and small-scale wooden structures form a layered spatial experience that reflects the needs of modern urban life.
Taavet Hinrikus, one of the initiators behind the Greenhouse, has said: “Our goal is to create an ecosystem in Kasvuhoone that would help companies grow in an environment that fosters cooperation and international networking.” This reflects the project's ambition to create more than just physical space — the goal is to establish a cultural and entrepreneurial ecosystem where creativity, start-up energy, public life, and international networks converge.
The Krulli Greenhouse project marks a broader shift in Tallinn’s spatial culture — a move towards valuing what already exists, towards high-quality space, and towards sustainable development. It is a place where industrial heritage is not an obstacle but an opportunity. It is a space where new ideas, new collaborations, and new urban narratives can grow. The Greenhouse does not simply symbolize the rebirth of a single building, but the rise of an entire district as a creative environment where the city and its people can evolve together.
The Krulli Greenhouse project reimagines a historic industrial hall as a contemporary space for work, creativity, and community. The design preserves key structural elements—concrete columns, steel crane rails, and limestone parapets—highlighting the site’s heritage rather than masking it. Within this robust frame, new functions are introduced through light, modular insertions such as wood and glass pavilions. The goal is balance, not contrast: old and new coexist in a clear, respectful dialogue.
The interior follows the same principle of flexibility. Instead of rigid programs, zones are designed to shift—coworking areas, studios, meeting spots, and event spaces adapt as needed. The materials used—natural wood, reclaimed components, and acoustic fabrics—create a calm and functional atmosphere. Environmental responsibility is central: reused materials, passive ventilation, and localized heating systems reduce the ecological footprint.
The Greenhouse is not a fixed-use building, but a platform for change. Its design supports evolving use patterns, communal growth, and cultural openness. Through restrained yet intelligent interventions, it turns a disused industrial shell into a vibrant space for contemporary urban life.
Illustrations: COBE architects