Today, the building was officially inaugurated in a ceremony for Kadriorg Park staff and partners to celebrate the completion of the new facility.

“The new gardeners’ house seamlessly integrates with the castellan's building and the historical Kadriorg Park, reflecting its airy and responsible design approach reminiscent of classic greenhouses,” said Tallinn Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere.

The term "orangery" (from the French orangerie) originally referred to a greenhouse in palace gardens during the 17th and 18th centuries, built to meet the tsarist family’s need for exotic fruits and floral displays during the winter. Today, the new structure at Kadriorg Park combines a modern greenhouse complex with office spaces.

Deputy Mayor Viljar Jaamu, who oversees municipal property, emphasized the city’s commitment to investing in new buildings and enhancing public spaces. “The new Kadriorg Park orangery is an excellent example of blending historical heritage with modern solutions to provide the best environment for both employees and visitors,” said Jaamu.

The new complex consists of three sections. One section is dedicated to park gardeners, housing their work and utility rooms, as well as a greenhouse for maintaining and caring for exotic and frost-sensitive plants used in the park’s outdoor areas during summer. The second section features a winter garden and seminar room, which the park administration plans to rent out for smaller events such as exhibitions, seminars, lectures, and training sessions, accommodating 50–60 people. The third section includes office spaces and a repair workshop.

“The goal of this building is to provide an excellent and inspiring workspace. It’s important for us to maintain a calm and professional atmosphere in the orangery that supports our team’s daily work and well-being,” said Kadriorg Park Deputy Director Pille Sõstra.

Kadriorg Park employs approximately 160 people, most of whom are landscaping staff and gardeners. The orangery is directly associated with 50 employees.

Given the building’s purpose, ample lighting is provided for the plants. The interior lighting is energy-efficient, sensibly scaled, and easy to maintain. The greenhouse employs modern horticultural solutions to prepare plants for the season, store existing plants, and facilitate propagation. Solar panels were installed on the roof for electricity production and storage, while ventilation is largely achieved through operable windows.

The orangery was commissioned by the Tallinn Property Department. The building was designed by Kai Süda and Risto Parve of Karisma Architects, whose concept won first place in an architectural competition held in 2018. The construction was carried out by Montreco OÜ at a total cost of €8.9 million.

Photos from the opening of Kadriorg Park Gardeners’ House: Sven Zacek