Tartu City Schools – Tartu, Estonia

The City of Tartu, Estonia, is committed to supporting students equally, with the goal of providing all students with the opportunity to study in their local schools. To meet this goal, the Education Support Services department required a scalable way to provide private, sensory-friendly spaces for neurodivergent learners across 18 overflowing schools for 1st through 9th graders. With each of the schools presenting a different architectural challenge, the need for inclusive environments could not be addressed through traditional construction alone.

“Our goal is for as many children as possible to study in their local schools. Framery pods provide the private, quiet environments students need to succeed within their own community.”

Kadi Lukka
Support Services Development Manager at the Educational Support Centre | City of Tartu

The city launched a strategic initiative offering Framery soundproof pods to every municipal school to serve as instant, supportive infrastructure. With 100 percent of schools opting into the program, a total of 32 Framery smart pods were deployed across the district. This flexible solution allowed each school to resolve its specific structural challenges and spatial constraints while prioritizing the individual needs of its students.

Versatile infrastructure for diverse campus needs

From historic structures to 21st-century facilities, every school in Tartu presents unique infrastructure challenges that make providing private space difficult. With 18 schools ranging from modern open-concept facilities to traditional layouts with compact spaces, the city’s initiative allowed each campus to select the pods that would best address their specific spatial challenges and solve the individual needs of their students and staff.

“Our school buildings are architecturally very different. And we are lacking space because all of our small rooms are already being used for other purposes.”

Kadi Lukka
Support Services Development Manager at the Educational Support Centre | City of Tartu

Representing opposite ends of this spectrum, Tartu Tamme School, a traditional high-density building with narrow corridors and strict safety codes, and Tartu Variku School, a recently renovated facility built on open-classroom principles, both incorporated Framery’s soundproof pods in ways that suited their unique environments best.

Adding privacy to restricted floor plans

Engineered to be tucked into narrow alcoves and unused spaces, Framery pods are an immediate way for schools to add private teaching spaces without requiring renovation or structural changes. A patented acoustic structure and 30dB speech level reduction make it possible to place Framery pods directly in loud hallways or quiet classrooms without noise being transferred in either direction.

Facing a tight layout and rigid fire codes, Tartu Tamme School added a Framery Four and Framery Six in the back of a cloakroom, reclaiming dead space in an unused corner the school, and providing new teaching spaces without disrupting the flow of hallways or compromising the building’s structural integrity.

“When we first walked around the schoolhouse we thought we didn’t have anywhere to put the pods. We placed them in the very darkest corner of the school to add valuable classroom space in an area that wasn’t being used.”

Kadri Muhhin
Head of Studies | Tartu Tamme School

With open classroom principles and wide corridors, Tartu Variku school placed two Framery Four pods in the open areas directly next to classrooms, where they serve as distraction-free spaces to study in the loud and busy environment.

“We didn’t have a room to teach students with ADHD or those who can’t study in a wide open corridor. Now they do their lessons in the pod. It’s very important and we are relieved.”

Kristel Kevvai
Head of Studies | Tartu Variku School

Supporting inclusion and neurodiversity in education

Designed with modular layouts and spacious interiors, Framery pods are versatile tools that help schools create inclusive spaces for students and staff alike. The hybrid-ready spaces feature ergonomic furniture, adjustable lighting and ventilation, and can be equipped with interior or exterior whiteboards and monitor mounts, providing the flexible infrastructure needed for education today.

At Tartu Tamme School, the Framery pods are dedicated spaces for staff to work with neurodivergent students who require individualized support. The open design of Framery Six makes a great teaching space for small groups of students with special needs, and face-to-face layout of Framery Four creates a safe space for focused support sessions with teachers and specialists.

“We have many students who need either a smaller group to study or an individual one-to-one with a teacher. We hear the kids proudly telling others, ‘We get to study in that pod!”

Kadri Muhhin
Head of Studies | Tartu Tamme School

The pods at Variku School serve as designated spaces for students across the spectrum to study and rest, especially for those who have difficulty concentrating in the school’s open classroom design. Support specialists at the school also rely on the soundproof pods to conduct one-on-one discussions with students and parents without worrying about sensitive topics being overheard.

“We now have a space where all of our students can study, rest, or escape the noisy school environment. And our school psychologists and social pedagogues use them for sensitive conversations with children or parents in private.”

Kristel Kevvai
Head of Studies | Tartu Variku School

Managing the daily needs of educators

Built with durable materials and replaceable components, Framery pods are quality soundproof spaces that stand up to the rigors of student life. With intuitive tools like Framery Smart Lock and calendar integration, they integrate seamlessly into life on campus without increasing administrative workload.

For the staff at Tartu Tamme School, the pods have settled the daily struggle to find empty rooms for special lessons, bringing relief to educators and administrators alike. The two Framery pods provide the teachers with a reliable space to support their students, and reduce the strain and mental fatigue of searching for a quiet place every hour.

“Before Framery, every lesson was in a different available classroom. Things have settled nicely now and our teachers are very happy.”

Kadri Muhhin
Head of Studies | Tartu Tamme School

The pods have created a way for administrators at Tartu Variku School to encourage students to regulate their own needs in a high-energy, open learning environment. Students can request a key from the admin desk when they want to use the pods, creating a structured access process that preserves student autonomy without creating a logistical nightmare for staff.

“Students can ask for the key and go to the pods to study on their own. They give us more options for how we can teach, and everyone is really grateful for that.”

Kristel Kevvai
Head of Studies | Tartu Variku School

A scalable investment in education

The City of Tartu recognized that providing sensory-safe environments is critical to creating a truly inclusive learning environment. By equipping each of their 18 schools with Framery pods, the city has established instant, adaptable infrastructure without the need for additional renovation or construction.

“With Framery pods we have long-lasting, movable infrastructure that we can repurpose as needs change, and take them to other schools, youth centers, or social departments within the city. They are an investment for the entire city for years to come.”

Kadi Lukka
Support Services Development Manager at the Educational Support Centre | City of Tartu

By investing in Framery smart pods, every school in the district is now equipped with long-lasting inclusive spaces that improve the quality of education for the entire student body, leaving a lasting positive impact on teachers and staff as well.