Gert Guriev

Artist is based in: Estonia

Gert Guriev, who lives in Viljandi, is an architect and lecturer whose work focuses on public space, educational buildings, health centres and contemporary timber architecture. He graduated in Architecture and Urban Planning from the Estonian Academy of Arts, furthered his studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and broadened his understanding of space with a micro-degree in painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Since 2012, Guriev has worked at 3+1 Architects, where he has contributed to the creation of numerous important buildings and environments: the Narva Education Complex, the Narva Academy of Internal Security, the vision plans for Ülemiste City and the Narva education campus, Võsu Basic School and Kindergarten, Haapsalu Basic School, an apartment building on Siili Street in Tartu, apartment buildings on the Marienholm peninsula, the Seiler Quarter in Pärnu, Tapa Health Centre, Suure-Jaani spa, and the spatial design of the Estonian permanent exhibition at the Estonian National Museum. His work has received widespread recognition. The Narva Education Complex, Suure-Jaani Health Centre and the Narva Academy of Internal Security have all been nominees for the EU Mies Award for Contemporary Architecture; the Narva Academy of Internal Security has also received the main prize of the Architecture Endowment of the Estonian Cultural Endowment as well as the Arcwood Special Prize in the Timber Building of the Year competition. Võsu Basic School and Kindergarten have been awarded the main prize in the Timber Building of the Year competition and the grand prix of the Termory Design Awards. Guriev has been successful in numerous architectural competitions, particularly in the field of educational and public buildings. Among his notable wins are the competition for the Tartu Downtown Cultural Centre (Siuru) and several competitions for state gymnasiums, basic schools, and education and health centres. He teaches at the Estonian Academy of Arts and at the Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu, contributing to the development of young people’s spatial awareness and critical thinking.