Interior architecture: Stuudio88 in collaboration with Kelli Puusepp
Language Café in Prison of Tallinn
At the request of the Prison Service, language café rooms were completed in the Tartu, Viru, and Tallinn prisons. This was a unique and meaningful project centered on bringing a sense of humanity into the prison environment — a place with limited freedom of choice, yet where the need for personal growth remains.
Stuudio88’s role was to design the spaces in collaboration with interior architecture students from the Estonian Academy of Arts. The aim was to create environments that support learning and natural communication, while avoiding the feel of a traditional classroom. The design process took place under tight budget and time constraints, making the task especially challenging. Early on, it became clear that refurbishing second-hand furniture, as originally suggested by the client, would not fit within the budget or achieve the desired outcome. This called for creative thinking and finding ways to make the space meaningful and supportive using modest resources.
Our goal was more than just an aesthetic solution. We aimed to create spaces where inmates could feel a sense of belonging — places where one can make mistakes, experiment, and speak without judgment. Spaces that help momentarily forget the confines of four walls.
In the design, we used a calm, nature-inspired color palette, warm lighting, and cozy elements like plants, textiles, and rugs. The interior architecture of the spaces features traditional patterns such as the eight-pointed star, symbolizing protection and balance. Beneath these seemingly simple details lies a deeper purpose — to support focus, ease tension, and create a space for social interaction and self-expression.
When creating the language café spaces, it was important that the interior design was not only functional but also created an emotional connection with the user. The furniture needed to accommodate up to 15 people while allowing for natural and flexible movement around conversations. The client clearly wished the spaces would not resemble typical classrooms but instead foster an environment for open communication.
As many inmates have found a path to applied arts and handicrafts, the client expressed a wish for as much of the interior as possible to be crafted by the inmates themselves. This required close collaboration and a consistent on-site presence – we visited all three prisons in Estonia to familiarize ourselves with the daily routines and working conditions. The experience proved to be emotionally complex, demanding empathy and a steady nerve.
Photo: the space before transformation
Language Café in Prison – A Space of Humanity Amid Strict Order
We wanted to ensure that the creative work of inmates would also find a place in the space – that’s why we designed dedicated surfaces for displaying artwork. To add warmth and softness to the environment, we also recommended the use of rugs. Since traditional textile rugs would have been too costly and difficult to maintain, we found a suitable roll material as a compromise, developed a custom rug pattern and layout, prepared a material estimate, and—thanks to the support of the Prison Service project managers—this idea became a reality.
The green, leaf-shaped rugs visually unify the space into a cohesive whole, bringing in a sense of closeness to nature, softness, and a touch of warmth. They serve as the finishing touch—like the dot on the “i”—seamlessly blending functionality, aesthetics, and symbolism.
The language cafe in prison is more than just a place for learning – it is a space that fosters trust, supports inclusion, and brings out the hidden potential in people.
A project that shaped not only the rooms, but also those who created them.
