EcoPanel Mini Houses are profoundly ecological prefabricated space units built with straw products. These houses can serve as remote working spaces, studios, guest houses, saunas or  workshops.

The prefabrication secures a fast installation on site and high built quality. The mini houses can be fine tuned to their location using natural low carbon finsihing materials like clay or burnt timber.

 For further info please contact: https://ecopanel.fi

Project team

Chief designer Pekka Pakkanen, project architect Anna Kontuniemi, assisting designer Sofia Juntunen

Client

EcoPanel

Year

2024

Versowood main office is designed as the new entrance to the largest private production area of sawn timber and further processed goods in Finland. The area around the office building is returned into its natural forest like character. The architecture of the building grows from the abstract simplification and appreciation of its natural surrounding. All the spaces open to their surroundings celebrating natural light and forest views. The building and its detailing are designed for a healthy working environment with a long lifespan.

Project team

Chief designer Pekka Pakkanen, project architect Antti Mikola

Client

Versowood

Year

2020- Construction 2024-

The Biodiversity Building project tackles present biodiversity crisis using three different approaches: The research part studies the effects of various construction materials and their production on the biodiversity of their original source. The project is designed to reduce earthworks, replacement of soil and quarrying, thus preserving the biodiversity of the soil during the construction process. The co-creation part of the project builds models for the inhabitants of the building to grow their own food minimizing the effects of agriculture on nature.

Preserving the natural values of the site

The chosen construction and the use of the building are designed to maintain the existing natural values and to add to them during the lifespan of the building. To reach this the project has chosen the following stretegic approaches.

The project utilizes prefabricated spatial timber elements to minimize the footprint of the construction work on site.

The common outdoor areas: recreation, play and outdoor services are located on the wide living corridors and the open attic floor of the building.

The construction site is not filled and flattened for the common reasons of construction logistics, fire engine routes and laying heavy concrete foundations.

Special quality of life in the biodiversity building

The building concept frees the apartment level sidewalks from fire regulation usage restrictions using a unique fire exit organization. Thus the sidewalks can be used as the common space and utilized for multiple functions from growing tomatoes to fixing bicycles.

The open living attic floor offers long views and maximizes natural light both for people and gardening activities. The open spaces between the storages and utility rooms can be organized freely to host the activities desired by the inhabitants. The attic has lift access so it is easily accessed also by wheel chair.

The apartments offer flexible open space that can be organized of divided using light furniture. Most of the solid wooden surfaces are exposed.

Link to project report (in Finnish only):

Project team

Pekka Pakkanen, Anna Kontuniemi, Qiubing Liu

in co-operation with Helma Landscape Architects, Timberbros and KK-Palokonsultit

Client

Y-Säätiö

Year

2020-

Technical University of Graz

Finnish Embassy in Prague, Nordec

Finnbuild fair, the stand of Spolia Design

Studio Generalia open lecture, University of Tampere, City of Tampere and Community College of Tampere

Discussion panel, Habitare fair, Finnish Union of Architects SAFA

URF Uuden ajan rakentamisen festivaali, Uuden Ajan Aketemiat, Kerava

Pasuunakuja housing is a housing block of two houses in Kannelmäki, Helsinki. The houses are fitted to sit in their urban context by using similar materials and colors as their surroundings. The structures of the houses are a hybrid mix of concrete inside and timber structures on the facades and extruded balconies.

Project team

Chief designer Pekka Pakkanen, project architects Anna Kontuniemi and Meri Wiikinkoski, assisting designer Sofia Juntunen

Client

Y-Säätiö and Mangrove

Year

2021- Construction 2024-25