Estonian Mining Museum

Estonia is a unique place: most of our electricity production comes from oil shale, mined in the eastern part of the country. An authentic oil-shale mine, discontinued in 2001, is open to visitors in the town of Kohtla-Nõmme. Its renovation was completed in 2015, when a former concentration plant was converted into the new main building of Kohtla mining park. The visitors of Estonian Mining Museum can see an exhibition on energy and mining as well as the old mine itself, both above and under ground.

Our design provided for the preservation of the existing plant and room structure to a maximum extent. We also created opportunities for the guests to experience this fascinating factory. For example, a number of information kiosks have been placed into technological gapes that hang down from the ceiling. This results in airy space where the exhibits have been almost unnoticeably integrated into the old concentration plant.