Architects Mari Hunt and Hanna Karits created the Põro House located in Estonia using locally sourced wood. It rests on top of a disused cellar nestled inside of a first and it is made to have minimal impact on the remote location surrounded by lush nature in the Võru County.
It is almost entirely made from wood and it is positioned over the existing basement walls and stilts to accommodate the sloped base. Mari Hunt speaks to Dezeen, stating "The entire construction of the house is crafted from wood, not merely store-bought lumber but timber specially cut for this project. The wood was locally sourced from nearby forests in southern Estonia, selected by local craftsmen who possess the knowledge of precisely which trees to cut and the optimal timing for it."
Estonian Forest-Based Wooden Homes
Hanna Karits and Mari Hunt Design the Põro House
Trend Themes
1. Eco-friendly Construction - The use of locally sourced wood and sustainable building practices in the Põro House offers a template for environmentally conscious architecture.
2. Local Craftsmanship Revitalization - The collaboration with local craftsmen who select and cut the timber highlights a trend toward reviving traditional building skills.
3. Adaptive Reuse in Architecture - Placing the Põro House on top of an unused cellar showcases innovative approaches to minimizing environmental impact and re-purposing existing structures.
Industry Implications
1. Green Building Materials - Effective utilization of locally sourced wood by Põro House introduces scalable opportunities for sustainable materials in the construction industry.
2. Architectural Design Services - Design approaches like that of the Põro House, which emphasize sustainability and minimal ecological footprint, can set new benchmarks in architectural services.
3. Forestry Management - The need for precise selection of timber as done for the Põro House provides a growth area for specialized forestry management practices.