Eesti Pank is planning a complete overhaul of its museum, which will be rethought under the name Rahamu. Rahamu will primarily be an attractive and exciting place for schoolchildren, but will also be a place for discussions about economics. The concept competition for refreshing the Eesti Pank museum was won by a joint project entitled Benjamins from the architecture bureau Studio ARGUS and the creative agency Pult OÜ. Rahamu should open its doors in 2026.

Seven entries were submitted to the concept competition, and the panel unanimously voted Benjamins from Studio ARGUS OÜ and Pult OÜ as the winner. The winning work was designed by Margit Argus, Celine-Cathy Raaga, Kätlin-Karin Lond, Roman Hresko, Mariia Korolova, Erika Saks, Maaja Kuiv and Kersti Tuhkru.

“The key for the winning work was undoubtedly that the design will create an enjoyable experience for visitors to Rahamu, as the designers behind Benjamins have clearly thought carefully about the displays and about the flexibility of the space, allowing the beautiful historical interiors of the building to shine through as well,” said Deputy Governor of Eesti Pank and chair of the judging panel Ülo Kaasik to explain why the panel was unanimous. “The experience will allow visitors to the museum to be hands-on in various ways and to learn actively, which is very important for engaging the students and pupils who are the main target group of Rahamu.“

Tiiu Truus of the Estonian Association of Interior Architects, who was also on the panel, added that there were a lot of entries to the concept competition, and the quality of the top three entries was very high.

See the winning design Benjamins by Studio ARGUS OÜ and Pult OÜ:

Second place in the competition went to the design Pangapank by Helen Rebane and Mari Tosmin of NÜÜD arhitektid OÜ, and third place went to the joint project Rahakihid by Iseasi OÜ, Identity OÜ, SAB Magnet OÜ and DMT Insenerid OÜ.

The winner of the competition receives a prize of 6,000 euros, second place got 4,500 euros, and third place got 3,500 euros.

The aim of the public concept competition was to lay the groundwork for the complete reconceptualisation of the current Eesti Pank museum. The museum will open in 2026 under the new name of Rahamu, and its purpose will be to make society more aware of how the economy and finance function, so that people can make smarter choices with their money. Rahamu will primarily be an attractive and exciting place for schoolchildren, but will also play the roles of visitor centre, educational base, and site for discussions about economic issues.

The external experts who sat on the panel were the interior architects Tiiu Truus of the Estonian Association of Interior Architects (Chartered Principal Interior Architect Level 8) and Kristiina Voolaid of the Estonian Association of Interior Architects (Chartered Interior Architect Level 7), interior architect Marje Karu (Chartered Interior Architect Level 7), and head of Tallinna Reaalkool school Ene Saar. Eesti Pank was represented on the panel by panel chair and Deputy Governor Ülo Kaasik, Curator of the Eesti Pank Museum Siiri Ries, Head of the Cash and Infrastructure Department Rait Roosve, Head of Communications Viljar Rääsk, and Rahamu project manager Krislin Kämärä.

Additional information:

Evelin Jürisson
Communications Specialist
Eesti Pank
6680 965
Press enquiries: [email protected]