The Estonian Woodhouse Association has announced the Prefab House of the Year competition for the 15th time. This annual contest aims to spotlight the best factory-produced wooden buildings in Estonia and to showcase the diverse possibilities of industrial timber construction. All Estonian companies that manufacture modular, element-based, log, or CLT timber buildings in a factory setting are welcome to participate.
Over the past 15 years, the competition has recognized many unique and internationally notable buildings. For instance, the 2015 winner was Treet – at the time, the tallest wooden building in the world – a landmark achievement in timber construction. The competition has also brought attention to technically complex buildings that demonstrate the flexibility of prefab timber structures in special-purpose applications.
One of the most outstanding past winners is the Oodi Central Library in Helsinki, which took the top prize in 2019 and continues to serve as an example of architectural excellence and innovation in public space. The 2024 overall winner and best public building was an energy-efficient modular kindergarten built in Kiili municipality, which also earned a special award for energy efficiency. Each winning project has shown that prefab wooden buildings can be energy-efficient, resource-smart, and architecturally high-quality—offering sustainable solutions for both residential and public construction.
Konkursile saab esitada üksikhooneid, arendusprojekte, tehases toodetud fassaadielemente nii uusehitistele kui ka renoveeritavatele hoonetele. Tingimuseks on, et hoone või fassaadielemendi kandev põhikonstruktsioon peab olema valmistatud puidust ning toodetud tehases. Töid hindab vähemalt viieliikmeline žürii, kuhu kuuluvad tunnustatud arhitektid ja ehitusinsenerid. Hinnatakse nii arhitektuurseid kui insenertehnilisi lahendusi – sh funktsionaalsust, materjalide kasutust, energiatõhusust ning tehaselisuse valmiduse taset ja innovatsiooni.
Eligible entries include single buildings, development projects, and factory-produced façade elements for both new constructions and renovations. The primary requirement is that the building or façade element must have a load-bearing wooden structure manufactured in a factory. A jury of at least five members—comprising distinguished architects and structural engineers—will evaluate the entries. Judging criteria include architectural and engineering solutions such as functionality, material use, energy efficiency, level of prefabrication, and innovation.
In addition to the jury’s decision, the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite project through a popular vote hosted on Delfi’s Moodne Kodu portal, where the people’s choice winner will be revealed.
Why choose a prefab house?
Prefab timber construction offers precision, speed, and environmental responsibility—combining modern production techniques with a natural and renewable building material. “By using wood, carbon is sequestered, construction waste is reduced, and high energy performance is achieved. Factory-built structures can be manufactured year-round, regardless of weather, and the process is safer and more controlled,” explains Elar Vilt, jury member and Development Advisor at the Estonian Woodhouse Association.
“Timber house manufacturing is a strategically important sector for Estonia—since 2010, Estonia has been Europe’s leading exporter of wooden buildings. Prefab houses are our smart and sustainable construction calling card to the world,” adds Vilt.
For more information about competition terms and how to participate: https://woodhouse.ee/event/prefab-house-of-the-year-2025/
Prefab House of the Year is supported by: AkzoNobel, BMI Monier, ESSVE, Isover, ITW Construction Products, Hunton, Puumarket, and Delfi.