After working as an architect for 4 years, Ülar was inclined to believe that architecture was not as all-mighty as previously thought. He got the feeling that no single object can ever guarantee the quality of an urban space. Therefore, deciding to go deeper into planning, he soon found himself to be the chief architect of Narva City, the third-largest city in Estonia. The next 3 years were spent learning the importance of master plan and participation democracy in the context of city development. The fact that politics and master plans do not have the actual power to ensure good design was a surprising discovery.
Turn to participation in urban planning
In the field of urban planning, there is an unanswered question of how to adequately engage people and get active and passive feedback regarding their behavior and needs. In collaboration with environmental specialists and human-geographers, the ICT Positium LBS was founded. Through multiple studies of cellphone positioning database, Ülar along with his partners got real information about how their city functions. They were selected to represent Estonia in Venice Biennale of Architecture – Joint Space. Intriguingly, Estonian poets participated as well weaving in their verses about different locations to add a creative flare to the mentality of city planning.
As a professor
Some time after his graduation, Ülar was asked to teach at the architecture department in EKA – the Estonian Academy of Arts. According to him, more than anything else, the opportunity provided him with an insight into his own mind and how he himself learns. Achieved through teaching and giving lectures to others; architects, interior designers as well as stenographers alike. Teaching, for Ülar, became all about teamwork and free thought.
Chairman of the Estonian Center of Architecture (ECA)
After organizing the Year of Architecture 2008, Ülar became the chairman of the newly established ECA. Initially a short-term start-up process, turned into 4 years of intense work attempting to find the right format for the ECA. Additionally, he started and moderated a popular public lecture-series – called the Flash Lectures as well as moderated Urban Forums that brought entrepreneurs and the mayor´s office together at same table.
Current ventures. Founder of Urban Mark Architecture
Ülar´s ongoing ventures and interests involve working with a wide range of projects. From planning the new Kalev Yacht Club building in the capital and the Voka community-library building in a smaller community all the way to participating in the areas of theatre and design, Ülar´s projects are truly varied, reflecting his many interests and competencies. Most recently, he created the inventive “Louis XIV” ballet stage design for the National Opera. Furthermore, Architecture AI consulting has lately peaked Ülar´s interest, which is why he has become involved in a new type of start-up to explore that area of expertise. Exciting to see, where this road leads.
In his mind, everything is one.