PUUSTER sessions Vol.1

Vol. 1 | June 4th 2025 at TalTech Structural Lab

Location: Structural Lab, TalTech – Mäepealse 3, Tallinn
Date and time: 4 June 2025, 14:00 PM – 17:00 PM

Organised as part of the interdisciplinary research project PUUSTER (TemTA80), this seminar will highlight innovative approaches to using underused wood and industry residues in building structures, as well as explore how to design with circularity in mind. It also aims to improve collaboration and knowledge exchange between engineers and architects in the early stages of the design process. The project brings together researchers from TalTech, Tartu University, and the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) across architecture, engineering, and materials science.

Please RSVP here (until 2.06): https://forms.gle/iygSJh5a8We2kv28A

AGENDA

14:00 Opening, introduction of the project
Alar Just, PhD, Professor on Structural Engineering, Structural Engineering research group, Taltech

Spotlight on Research Groups

14:15 Building systems - from industry offcuts to underused timber
Sille Pihlak, PhD, Researcher, Timber Architecture Research Center PAKK, Estonian Academy of Arts

14:25 Circularity in buildings - the example of Pattern Buildings construction system
Renee Puusepp, PhD, Senior Researcher, Timber Architecture Research Center PAKK, Estonian Academy of Arts

14:35 Research on wood-based materials at the Institute of Physics
Siim Pikker, PhD, Associate Professor of Micro- and Nanooptics, Institute of Physics, University of Tartu

Doctoral Deep Dives - Doctoral research presentations

14:45 Digitalising Spatial Configuration as a Platform for Sustainable Modular Architecture
Kaiko Kivi, Early Stage Researcher, Estonian Academy of Arts

15:00 Advancing Timber Construction for Ukraine's Recovery: Developing Open-Source Building Systems
Andriy Golovchenko, Early Stage Researcher, Estonian Academy of Arts

15:15 Development of wood-based hybrid layered materials
Laura Kaljula, Early Stage Researcher, Taltech

15:30 Development of assessment methods for reclaimed structural timber
Maarja Kauniste, Early Stage Researcher, Taltech

15:45 Developing ultrasound testing method for characterizing properties of structural timber
Fransisco Tienda, Early Stage Researcher, Taltech

16:00 Performance and assessment of bond lines of engineered wood in fire
Jane Liise Vihmann, Early Stage Researcher, Taltech

Emerging Voices - Master's student contributions

16:15 Assessment of strength and stiffness properties of glulam made from aged structural timber
Sandra Kaljula, Master's Student, Taltech

16:20 Structural fire design with aged reclaimed timber: small-scale charring performance assessment
Maria Pernits, Master's Student, Taltech

16:25 Effects of Thermal Modification and Weathering on the Fire Performance of Fire-Retardant Treated Timber Facades
Robert Saun, Master's Student, Taltech

16:30 – 17:00 Discussions