On the 9th-12th September Estonia hosted a high-profile study visit for Irish policymakers and business leaders from the construction sector, aimed at exploring innovative building methods and enhancing cooperation between Estonia and Ireland. The visit, organized by the Estonian Ambassador in Dublin, Estonian Woodhouse Association and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together 20 Irish delegates including top policymakers, entrepreneurs, and experts in the field of construction and housing.
Ireland faces significant challenges in providing adequate housing, with construction volumes and planning processes seen as major bottlenecks. To combat these issues, the Irish government has been investing heavily in construction innovation, dedicating approximately €4 billion annually to the “Housing for All” initiative.
The study visit left a strong impression on the Irish delegation, who saw firsthand the potential of integrating Estonian timber construction techniques into Ireland’s housing strategy. J. Owen Lewis, Chair of the Irish Government’s Timber in Construction Steering Group, remarked, “As chair of the Irish Government’s interdepartmental and industry Timber in Construction Steering Group, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to see at first hand some of the very impressive Estonian production facilities for timber building components and modules, and to visit beautiful built examples. All are of considerable relevance to Ireland’s determination to substantially increase the use of timber in Irish construction.”
The delegation included other influential figures such as Senators John Cummins, Victor Boyhan, Seamus Michael Kennedy, Mary Fitzpatrick, Deputy Steven Matthews TD and several representatives from the Irish Department of Housing, Land Development Agency and Housing Agency but as well from Department of Agriculture and Department of Enterprise.
Key highlights of the visit
- Policy and Innovation Exchange: Meetings with the Estonian Ministry of Climate and other key officials focused on policies promoting modern, low-emission construction techniques and streamlining planning processes. Discussions highlighted how digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) could address planning challenges faced in Ireland.
- Site Visits to Leading Estonian Manufacturers: The delegation visited major production sites including Harmet, Kodumaja AS, and Arcwood. These visits provided a firsthand look at innovative timber construction projects and manufacturing processes, showcasing Estonia’s expertise in modern methods of construction.
- Demonstrating Practical Applications: The tour included stops at various completed timber construction projects, such as row houses in Tartu, a CLT- apartment building in Põlva, and a modular kindergarten near Tallinn. In Finland, the delegation observed the construction of an eight-story CLT apartment building in Tampere and visited the iconic Oodi Library in Helsinki. Each site demonstrated the practical applications of sustainable wood construction, emphasizing efficiency, speed, and environmental benefits.
As part of the study visit, the Irish delegation participated in focused seminars to provide insights into the technical, regulatory, and collaborative frameworks necessary for advancing modern timber construction.
- Fire Safety Seminar: Ensuring compliance and safety in timber buildings – The fire safety seminar, held at Pelgulinna Riigigümnaasium in Tallinn, was led by representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, advisor in the Rescue and Crisis Management Mari Tikan, highly regarded fire safety expert Rait Pukk from Fireplan and Tallinn Technical University Professor Alar Just. This session provided a comprehensive overview of fire safety standards and regulations specific to timber and modular construction.
- Alliance Procurement Models: Collaborative approaches to efficient building – Seminar focused on alliance procurement models, a collaborative approach to construction project management that involves close cooperation between clients, designers, contractors, and other stakeholders from the outset. The session, presented by Sulev Senkel from BrainTeam OÜ on the Tallink ferry to Finland
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Seminar: Evaluating environmental impact in timber construction – The seminar on Life Cycle Assessment, presented by prof. Matti Kuittinen from Aalto University during the visit to Helsinki, focused on the environmental impact of construction materials throughout their entire life cycle – from production to disposal. Kuittinen’s insights underscored the potential for LCA to inform policy decisions and drive the adoption of sustainable building practices in Ireland. By integrating LCA into planning and regulatory frameworks, Irish policymakers can encourage more environmentally responsible construction methods.
These seminars provided valuable insights into the technical, regulatory, and collaborative frameworks necessary for advancing modern timber construction. They highlighted the importance of safety, efficiency, environmental sustainability, and cooperation in building a sustainable and responsive housing sector.
Positive Outcomes and Moving Forward
With plans to continue promoting timber as a sustainable building material, the study visit laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation between Estonian and Irish stakeholders. We thank all the participants and co-organizers!
Participants: Sara-Jane Pisciotti (Sisk Group, Timber Steering Group), J. Owen Lewis (Timber Steering Group); Martin Kirrane (Land Development Agency); Senators John Cummins, Victor Boyhan, Mary Fitzpatrick, Seamus Michael Kennedy, Deputy Steven Matthews TD (Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing.); Sandra O ’Reilly, Tom Maguire (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment); Sean Armstrong, Derek Kavanagh, Joan McMahon ja Liam Harding (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage); Kathryn Meghen (Royal Institute of Architects); Richard Walsh, David GilMoreno (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine); Norman Jackson, William Bell (Housing Agency)
Co-organizers: the Ambassador Kairi Künka from the Estonian Embassy in Dublin, Estonian Woodhouse Association (Annika Kadaja), Ministry of Climate in Estonia (Ivo Jaanisoo, Kaja Pae), the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Liisi Kirschenberg), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Estonia (Carmen Pajuste), Irish Embassy in Estonia (James Sherry).
