PAKK pavilion

The PAKK Pavilion is an experimental timber research demonstrator developed by the Timber Architecture Research Center PAKK at the Estonian Academy of Arts within the framework of the PUUSTER research programme.

Project executors: EKA PAKK, Myceen OÜ
Researchers: dr Siim Tuksam, dr Sille Pihlak, dr Renee Puusepp
Period: 10.10.2024-09.10.2026
Funding: European Union and the Estonian Research Council through the project “PUUSTER” TEM-TA80 , EKA development grant, Estonian Academy of Arts, Myceen OÜ

Conceived as a built research infrastructure, the pavilion consolidates several parallel PUUSTER research strands into a single architectural prototype. It functions simultaneously as a material testing platform, spatial demonstrator, and public-facing research interface located in Tallinn city centre. The pavilion integrates three core research layers—insulation (“flesh”), structure (“bones”), and façade (“skin”)—allowing their performance and interaction to be studied at full scale under real environmental conditions.

The pavilion brings together research conducted by PAKK and its partners, including Myceen, sLender Facade, and Pattern Buildings, each addressing a different aspect of timber-based circular construction. Bio-based mycelium insulation panels, produced from lignocellulosic industrial residues, are installed within the envelope and instrumented with sensors to monitor thermal and hygrothermal performance over time. These measurements enable direct comparison with conventional insulation materials and contribute empirical data for ongoing academic research

sLender Facade

A mass-customized volumetric envelope system for soviet housing stock renovation.

Pattern Buildings

Pattern Buildings is an industrial construction system based on modular design for creating up to 7 floor wooden buildings of different typology and appearance.

Myceen

Carbon-storing insulation materials with fully automated mycelium production technologies.

www.myceen.com

At the structural and envelope level, the pavilion prototypes modular and mass-customised timber systems developed within PUUSTER. The façade and construction logic explore prefabricated, reconfigurable elements designed for adaptability, disassembly, and reuse—principles central to the valorisation of underused timber resources. The compact interior (approx. 9 m²) functions as a flexible exhibition and dissemination space, allowing research outputs to be periodically updated and publicly communicated

Key Research Findings and Contributions

Validation of a full-scale, multi-layer research demonstrator as an effective method for studying material performance, construction systems, and spatial use simultaneously.
Empirical data collection on the thermal, moisture, and durability performance of mycelium-based insulation in real outdoor conditions.
Demonstration of modular timber façade and structural systems capable of supporting mass customisation, adaptability, and circular construction principles.
Integration of underused and residual wood resources into architecturally and structurally viable building components.
Establishment of the pavilion as a long-term testing and dissemination platform for PUUSTER-related research, bridging academic investigation, industry collaboration, and public engagement.

Through its hybrid role as research object, testing environment, and communication tool, the PAKK Pavilion contributes to PUUSTER’s broader objective of developing scalable, data-driven approaches for sustainable timber construction based on underutilised material streams.

EKA PAKK's research work has been co-funded by the European Union and the Estonian Research Council through the project “PUUSTER” TEM-TA80 and the EKA development grant.

Myceen's research is supported by Beamline Accelerator, Environmental Investment Centre, Ministry of Climate, European Union co-funding - NextGenerationEU, EIS, European Commission and SoTecIn Factory.

The construction of the pavilion is supported by Kalvasta Timber, Viking Window, Thermory, Raitwood, Rothoblaas, Timberwise, Silman.