In 2015, Estonians built Treet in Norway – then the world’s tallest timber building (14 storeys with a glulam load-bearing structure). Now, ten years later, Estonians are once again at the forefront of timber construction: the Prefab House of the Year 2025 grand prize went to a 7-storey apartment building in Norway by Kodumaja AS. It is believed to be one of the first buildings in Europe where the entire load-bearing structure, from the ground floor up, is realised with timber-frame modules – without the use of massive timber elements.
On 29 August, the winners of the Prefab House of the Year 2025 competition were announced during the Friends of Wooden Houses Summer Conference. This was already the 15th time that the Estonian Woodhouse Association has presented this recognition.
The aim of the competition is to highlight the most outstanding timber buildings produced by Estonian companies and to showcase the wider potential of industrial timber construction. Over the years, more than 280 projects have been submitted – not only from Estonia, but also from countries as far afield as Japan, South Korea, and the United States..
This year’s competition received the highest number of submissions in the single-family house category, but apartment buildings, public buildings, and factory-based renovation projects of apartment blocks were also represented. According to the jury, this reflects the diversity of Estonia’s timber sector: alongside private homes, companies increasingly deliver technically complex solutions for different building types, showcasing the potential of wood as a sustainable, future-oriented construction material.
Although competition was strongest in the private house category, the spotlight of this year’s contest fell on Kodumaja AS’s 7-storey apartment building in Norway. The project was awarded Best Apartment Building as well as the overall Grand Prix of the Prefab House of the Year 2025 competition, as it is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe.
“The 7-storey apartment building is, as far as we know, the first in Europe where the entire load-bearing structure is realised with timber-frame modules rather than massive timber,” emphasised jury member and Development Adviser of the Estonian Woodhouse Association, Elar Vilt. “Normally, buildings of this height are constructed with massive timber to ensure sufficient strength. This proves that Estonian engineers continue to push the boundaries of timber construction.”
The winning project is part of the Vestskogen development – a modern and timeless residential complex emphasising energy efficiency, community green spaces, and bright, Scandinavian-style interiors. The architecture, designed by Rett Hjem Arkitekter, was praised by jury member and architect Veronika Valk-Siska: “The architecture of the apartment complex has a pleasant, human-friendly rhythm. Modular construction here does not become monotonous but instead creates a varied and light-filled environment. It is clear that attention has been paid to delivering spatial solutions with a clean and coherent visual language. The result is a high-quality living environment with cosy courtyards and everything necessary for everyday life.”
The Best Development Award went to family houses produced in Ukraine by KMT Prefab OÜ on behalf of the Estonian Centre for International Development. The jury highlighted this as a project of symbolic importance, underlining the potential of Estonian timber construction to deliver fast and high-quality housing solutions in regions where they are needed most.
“Rebuilding Ukraine is not only a construction challenge but also a symbolic and moral step,” commented Annika Kadaja, CEO of the Estonian Woodhouse Association. “The family houses delivered to Ukraine demonstrate the potential of prefab timber construction – homes that are produced in just a few months, yet remain sustainable and dignified, providing both practical support and hope for the future in war-torn regions.”
In the private house category, which saw the fiercest competition this year, the winner was Finnlog OÜ with a private house in Finland. According to the jury, the project stood out for its architectural coherence: an exciting façade solution and a smartly designed floor plan create a home that unites indoor and outdoor spaces into a seamless whole, blending organically with the surrounding environment.
The Audience Choice Award went to Avrame OÜ for a summer house in Salmistu, which was voted the favourite by readers of Delfi Moodne Kodu.
In addition to the main winners mentioned above, the jury also recognised a number of other outstanding projects. Separate categories highlighted solutions that demonstrate the diversity of the timber house sector – from innovative single-family homes and small buildings to international public and residential projects.
Results of the Prefab House of the Year 2025 competition:
Main categories:
- Grand Prix & Best Apartment Building – Kodumaja AS, apartment building in Norway
- Best Development – KMT Prefab OÜ, family houses in Ukraine
- Best Public Building – Timbeco Woodhouse OÜ, school building in Sweden
- Best Private House – Finnlog OÜ, private house in Finland
- Best Small Building – Greentec Houses OÜ, commercial building in Tallinn
- Best Façade Elements Project – Welement AS, apartment building renovation in Germany
Special awards from the jury and sponsors:
- Best Handcrafted Log House – Vipson Projekt OÜ, handcrafted log house in Võrumaa
- Most Energy-Efficient House – Happy Home Majad OÜ, private house in Tiskre (also received ISOVER Saint-Gobain Special Award and Puumarket Special Award)
- Best Machined Log House & Best Use of Wood – Estonian Log Cabins OÜ, summer house complex in the Turku Archipelago (also received Raitwood Special Award)
- ESSVE Special Award – Nord Homes OÜ, private house in Pirita
- ITW Construction Products PASLODE Special Award – Soome Maja OÜ, private house in Salmistu
- AkzoNobel Best Colour Solution Award – EstHus OÜ, private house in Pärnumaa
- Monier Best Tiled Roof Award, Kyocera Fastening Solutions Estonia Special Award & VELUX Best Daylight Solution Award – Timbeco Woodhouse OÜ, private house in Meriküla
- Audience Choice Award (Delfi moodnekodu.ee readers) & Nordic Render Special Award – Avrame OÜ, summer house in Salmistu
The winners were selected by a jury consisting of:
- Dr. Targo Kalamees, Professor of Building Physics, TalTech
- Dr. Jarek Kurnitski, Vice-Rector of the School of Engineering, TalTech
- Architect Markus Kaasik
- Architect Veronika Valk-Siska
- Journalist Irmeli Karja
- Elar Vilt, Development Adviser of the Estonian Woodhouse Association
Special awards were presented by the competition’s sponsors, including the Audience Choice Award, determined by readers of Delfi moodnekodu.ee.
The Prefab House of the Year competition was supported by: Thermory, Akzo Nobel Baltics, BMI Monier, ESSVE, Isover Saint-Gobain, ITW Construction Products, Nordic Render, Ruukki, Rothoblaas, Puumarket, Raitwood, KYOCERA Fastening Solutions Estonia, Hypak/Kingwills, VELUX, Puidukoda, Hunton Fiber, Riwega ja Delfi.
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