The Estonian Woodhouse Association has a long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations that contribute significantly to the development of timber construction and prefabricated housing sector. During the “Ehitus 2025+” construction conference held on November 27, the laureates for 2024 were announced in three categories: Person of the Year, Friend of Wooden Houses, and Influencer of the Estonian Wooden Architecture.
Person of the Year was awarded to Priit Kallas, who leads companies specializing in the production of igluhuts and saunas and unique small houses. From the perspective of Estonia’s wooden house sector, Priit has been an active and inspiring leader, bringing new and innovative ideas to the association’s board. His contributions have been significant not only in advancing the sector but also in promoting Estonian wooden houses on an international level. Through igluhouses and under Priit’s leadership, foreign guests and delegations have experienced the high quality and versatility of Estonian wooden construction.
Among the nominees for Person of the Year were also Renee Mikomägi from EstNor OÜ, recognized for his role as a producer of wall elements for the significant Keskkonnamaja (Environment Building), and Eero Nigumann from Timbeco, noted for his contributions to research and development through participation in various international R&D projects.
The title of Friend of Wooden Houses highlights individuals or organizations whose actions have positively influenced wooden construction and the prefabricated housing industry. This year, the honor went to the construction company Balti Vara Ehitus OÜ, a prominent advocate and driver of factory-based renovation methods. The company has played a key role in developing sector-specific guidelines and collaborated extensively with universities to foster research-driven approaches while sharing its expertise widely. Their activities demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions in construction, significantly benefiting the wooden house sector.
“We are delighted to receive recognition from the wooden house sector. We believe that the sector, together with house factories, will play an increasingly important role in the field of renovation in the near future, and we see a promising future for the factory-based renovation method. This title certainly motivates us to continue fostering good collaboration and implementing industrial renovation at an even higher level,” said Meelis Karro, CEO of Balti Vara Ehitus, as he expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment.
In addition to Balti Vara Ehitus, nominees for the Friend of Wooden Houses title included Rait Pukk, a fire safety expert who has significantly advanced wooden construction in Estonia through his work in fire safety, and Kairi Künka, Estonia’s Ambassador to Ireland, recognized for her high-level and active promotion of the Estonian wooden house sector in the Irish market.
The third title, Influencer of the Estonian Wooden Architecture, was awarded to Iglupark. Their unique complex in the Noblessner area in Tallinn has enriched Tallinn’s urban space. Iglupark showcases the versatility and creativity of wooden construction, offering inspiring and innovative solutions that appeal to both locals and international visitors seeking fresh and exciting spatial designs. Other nominees in this category included Riigi Kinnisvara AS and the Tallinn City Government.
The winners were selected through a vote by the Woodhouse Estonia membership. These titles are not merely recognitions but also illustrate how collaboration and dedication can elevate the entire sector to a new level. The work and achievements of the laureates inspire the wooden house industry to strive for even greater goals while preserving the values and traditions of Estonian wooden construction. Woodhouse Estonia congratulates all this year’s winners and thanks them, as well as all nominees, for their significant contributions to the future of wooden construction in Estonia and beyond.
Previous Person of the Year laureates:
- 2023 Alo Tamm (Harmet OÜ)
- 2022 Andres Veel (Hiiumaa Vocational School)
- 2021 Martin Talts (KMT Prefab OÜ)
- 2020 Tarmo Tamm (Peetri Puit OÜ)
- 2019 Siim Leisalu (Timbeco Woodhouse OÜ)
- 2018 Argo Saul (Nordic Houses KT OÜ)
- 2017 Toomas Kalev (Harmet OÜ)
- 2016 Raiko Gustavson (Pärnu Log Homes OÜ)
- 2015 Andrus Prangli (Hobbiton Home OÜ)
- 2014 Mihkel Urmet (TEMPT OÜ)
- 2013 Sven Mats (Matek AS)
- 2012 Ragner Lõbu (Hobbiton Home OÜ)
- 2011 Argo Saul (Nordic Houses KT OÜ)
Previous Friend of Wooden Houses laureates:
- 2023 – Alar Just (Taltech), through his productive and long-term contribution, has significantly increased the construction sector’s competence in various fire safety solutions for buildings.
- 2023 – the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) – an organization that has drawn significant attention to the entire Estonian wooden house sector – was recognized for the public sector’s courage and determination in building a wooden modular kindergarten in Ukraine. This initiative showcased Estonia’s best practices in wooden factory-built houses on an international level.
- 2022 – Ivo Jaanisoo, Deputy Secretary General for Living Environment and Circular Economy (Ministry of Climate) is a prime example of a top public servant whose consistent and substantive work has contributed not only to the development of the wooden house sector, but also to the transformation of the traditional construction sector.
- 2021 – Lauri Kivil, former CEO of Woodhouse Estonia (Estonian Woodhouse Association), for his dedication to the development and visibility of the sector and for growing the network.
- 2020 – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and KredEx – for the development and launch of the pilot project of the support measure for the factory reconstruction of apartment buildings
- 2019 – President Kersti Kaljulaid – for dealing with environmental and climate issues
- 2018 – Targo Kalamees (TalTech) – preparation of qualified workforce for the wooden house sector, development of research and development cooperation, and organisation of the international wood engineering conference Forum Wood Building Baltic 2019
- 2017 – Enterprise Estonia – supporting export activities of the sector
- 2016 – emeritus professor Karl Õiger (TalTech) – long-term contribution to the promotion of engineering education in the field of construction
- 2015 – Ülenurme rural municipality – the local municipality that builds the most wooden buildings
- 2014 – Rescue Board – dealing with the topic of fire safety of wooden houses
- 2013 – Estonian Open Air Museum – preserving the traditions of wooden construction
- 2012 – the Kingdom of Norway – the main target market of the Estonian wooden house sector for ten years now
- 2011 – Reet Truuts – Senior Adviser on foreign trade at Enterprise Estonia
- 2010 – Märt Riistop – leader of the information programme Puuinfo
Previous ‘Influencer of Estonian Wooden Architecture’ title winners:
- 2023 – PAKK Centre for Wood Architecture Competence at the Estonian Academy of Arts, led by Sille Pihlak, Siim Tuksam, Renee Puusepp, and Anna Tommingas – has diversified and enriched the field of architecture by creating significant platforms and opportunities to promote the use of wood in construction. They have also highlighted its potential through various educational programs and projects (e.g., Mustermaja and sLender).
- 2022 – ETV’s Puit arhitektuuris (Wood in Architecture) series producer Ene-Maris Tali
- 2021 – TEMPT arhitektid – for their contribution to the advancement of Estonian wooden architecture and its popularisation;
- 2020 – Erik Konze in cooperation with the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association – for organising the wooden architecture conference ‘Wood – the key to the living environment of the future’.