Timbeco’s projects received two major distinctions at this year’s Prefab House of the Year competition. The kindergarten delivered to Iceland was named Best Public Building of 2026, while a private house in Anija Municipality received the AkzoNobel Special Award for Best Colour Solution.
The awards were presented on 14 August at the Estonian timber house community’s summer conference, held at Järvselja Hunting Lodge. Surrounded by Järvselja’s pristine natural landscape, companies, specialists and partners from across the industry gathered to exchange ideas, find inspiration and celebrate the most outstanding projects in Estonia’s timber construction sector.
Kindergarten in Iceland Named Best Public Building of the Year
The title of Best Public Building was awarded to the kindergarten in Iceland produced by Timbeco Woodhouse OÜ. The jury highlighted the project’s thoughtfully articulated architecture, which responds to both universal design principles and the requirements of a modern learning environment.
The kindergarten’s pastel-green exterior, strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and wooden interior create a cohesive, child-friendly environment. The project demonstrates how factory-made timber solutions can combine high construction quality, functionality and considered architecture—even in demanding Nordic conditions.
The building was designed by Marimo Architects, with Alar Oinus contributing to the project as Timbeco’s engineer.
Private House in Anija Receives the Best Colour Solution Award
A private house produced by Timbeco in Anija Municipality was also recognised, receiving the AkzoNobel Special Award for Best Colour Solution.
A carefully selected colour scheme is an important part of timber architecture. It helps a building connect with its surroundings, reinforces the architectural concept and gives the property a distinctive, cohesive appearance. The recognition of the Anija house shows how technical execution, material choices and aesthetic details work together to create an outstanding result.
The Prefab House of the Year competition was held for the 16th time this year. A total of 24 projects from 14 Estonian manufacturers entered the competition, with locations ranging from Iceland to Portugal. The entries included timber element and modular buildings, CLT structures, handcrafted log houses and factory-produced façade solutions.
For the first time, the entries were evaluated not only by the Estonian jury but also by an international panel of experts from Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea. The diversity and international reach of the projects reflect the growing capabilities of Estonia’s timber construction sector and the ability of local companies to deliver complex engineering solutions for different building types and markets.
For Timbeco, both awards are a significant recognition of our team’s expertise, dedication and consistent work. We would like to thank our employees, clients, architects, engineers and partners whose contributions helped bring these projects to life.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants in the Prefab House of the Year 2026 competition!
Picture: Kalev Lilleorg
