Eedu Campus – Smart Energy Solutions in the Heart of the City

Metro’s Project Manager Mait Allas Presents a New Urban Campus Rising in the Heart of Tallinn: “Our Goal Is to Create Buildings That Work With Nature”

Opening in the heart of Tallinn in the year after next, the Eedu education and business campus is not just another new development – it is a thoughtfully designed step forward toward sustainable and smart construction. According to Metro’s project manager Mait Allas, the logic behind all of Eedu’s energy and technical systems is based on a simple principle: the more decentralized, smarter, and environmentally friendly, the better.

Smart solutions are something we encounter daily in our homes, phones, and cars – and increasingly in construction. Eedu is a good example of this mindset. It’s not just about building a beautiful structure – it’s about consciously constructing a system that understands space, conserves energy, and responds to changing conditions.

According to Allas, Eedu’s strength lies in the way many different components come together to form a single efficient whole. “Behind every solution is the goal of creating buildings that work with nature, not against it. At the same time, they must be aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and user-friendly,” he explains.

Geothermal intelligence: Cooling and heating from the ground

Eedu’s buildings are partially heated and cooled using energy drawn from the ground. How does it work?
The buildings’ load-bearing piles are integrated with pipework that allows the ground to function as a heat exchanger. In summer, when the sun is blazing, excess heat is transferred into the ground. In winter, the same system works in reverse – heat stored underground is directed back into the buildings.

“We draw energy from about 10 to 35 meters deep – which is very efficient in our climate,” Allas explains.
This is complemented by an active cooling system in every room – be it a classroom, office, or apartment. “Each user can adjust the indoor climate to their own preferences.”

Sunny, without wasting heat

Geothermal energy requires electricity to function, and Eedu produces part of that electricity with its own solar park, built on the roof of a lower building. This means that on sunny days – when cooling demand is highest – the electricity needed is produced locally, right when it’s needed. “This ensures a solution that is both economically sensible and environmentally friendly,” says Allas.

Another clever energy solution used in the Eedu project is redirecting the excess heat generated during cooling to heat domestic water. This means that the same system serves two purposes simultaneously – it keeps the space cool and the water warm.

Architecture that supports indoor climate

Eedu’s energy efficiency doesn’t come solely from machines. Architecture plays a big role. Allas highlights the importance of balconies: “Balconies aren’t just a comfort feature – their horizontal and vertical elements provide shade for windows, protecting them from direct sunlight. This reduces the amount of heat entering the rooms.”

Equally important is the window-to-wall ratio and the choice of glass. The solar protection factor of the glazing has been carefully considered, especially on the south-facing façades. “We don’t want people to feel like they have to live in darkness or hide behind curtains in the summer. That’s why we’ve chosen to invest in high-quality glazing,” says Allas.
So it turns out – sometimes the glass itself can save the day, not just the curtain!

In addition, in several rooms the windows are positioned slightly above floor level, which reduces heat loss and provides better temperature control in winter.

What if the power goes out?

A major power outage recently affected Southern Europe – prompting many to ask: what if that happens here? “In our region, electricity supply is very reliable – all cables are underground. The real risk of a full outage is low,” assures Allas.

The collaboration between local heat pumps and central systems ensures reliability and allows flexibility depending on energy price fluctuations or changing building loads.

Eedu is the future of urban campuses – not just real estate

In conclusion, Allas emphasizes that Eedu isn’t just a new place to live or work – it’s an attempt to answer the question of how we live in the age of climate change and technological advancement. “We’re not just building structures – we’re building systems that work with people and the environment,” he says.

Eedu doesn’t just represent new urban space – it’s an example of how modern development can be intelligently built, energy-efficient, and comfortable for people. And it all starts with conscious choices. “For us, it wasn’t really a question – we made a deliberate decision to create something that lasts and continues to have a positive impact ten, twenty years from now,” Allas concludes.