An experimental timber pavilion in central Tallinn is showing how biobased and modular materials can change architecture. The project is a collaboration between materials company Myceen and the Estonian Academy of Arts’ timber research centre, EKA PAKK. The structure works as both a test site and an exhibition space for sustainable building systems.

Mycelium as a Building Material

At the core of the project are insulation panels made from mycelium, the root system of fungi. Myceen grows the material as a binder for wood industry by-products like sawdust and pulp. Once dried, the result is a lightweight, durable alternative to mineral wool or polystyrene.

Tests show strong results. The panels manage moisture well, with no condensation or mould detected. Myceen reports that the material has shown better thermal resistance than mineral wool under the same conditions.

Modular Timber Construction

The pavilion uses modular timber systems from EKA PAKK’s research projects Pattern Building and sLender. Its cubic frame is built from ash dieback wood, demonstrating how low-value timber can find new life in construction.

The angular façade is made of lozenge-shaped timber modules. These elements show how modular cladding can upgrade ageing housing blocks. The system adds insulation, balconies and access features while also improving energy use. Because the modules are designed for disassembly, they support circular construction by making reuse and adaptation possible.

A Showcase for Sustainable Design

Inside, the pavilion doubles as a showroom for material innovation, with exhibitions that highlight new sustainable practices. For architects and designers, the project shows how biobased materials like mycelium can move beyond small-scale uses such as lampshades and into full-scale buildings.

Together with modular timber systems, this approach demonstrates a future where renewable, circular materials drive both the design and the performance of architecture. The pavilion will be monitored until 2026, providing data that could bring mycelium insulation to the European market.

Source: PAKK / Dezeen