"Ringvaade" made a tour of the hidden places in Kumu for visitors
The Kumu Museum's chief engineer highlights several hidden features of the museum, including a large lift popular with children, an underground pool for fire safety, and a secret passage behind a rock wall.
During a segment for the program "Ringvaade", the chief engineer of the Kumu Museum, Hendrik Vahter, showcased some lesser-known areas of the museum that are particularly intriguing for visitors. Among these features is an impressively large lift that has become a favorite among participants in children's programs. Vahter noted that even many museum staff are unaware of the existence of these hidden spots. Kumu's director, Kadi Polli, remarked on the popularity of the lift, which, despite being the largest in the Baltics when the museum opened in 2006, has since been outdone by others. The lift can accommodate up to 9.2 tons and 122 people, making it a remarkable engineering feat.
In addition to the lift, Vahter introduced a unique underground pool located beneath the museum's parking area. This pool is filled with fire-fighting water, designed to ensure immediate access to water in case of fire before firefighters arrive on the scene. He pointed out that this reservoir contains around 400 cubic meters of water, which is an essential safety feature for the museum. This highlights the museum's commitment to ensuring visitor and staff safety through innovative and strategic design.
Over the past 20 years, the Kumu Museum has become a significant cultural landmark in Estonia, drawing in visitors with its varied exhibitions and child-friendly features. The revelations about these hidden infrastructures not only enrich the visitor experience but also underscore the multifaceted role of modern museums in education, safety, and community engagement.