Building Hope and History: Ukrainian-Estonian Project Wins “Best Development of the Year”

In the face of unprecedented challenges, Ukraine’s construction industry has evolved into a symbol of resilience. Beyond the immediate needs of repair, the sector is laying the groundwork for a modern national infrastructure. This commitment to quality and international cooperation was recently recognized on the global stage, as a series of family-style small group homes for displaced Ukrainian foster families won “Best Development of the Year” in Woodhouse Estonia’s 2025 Prefab House Awards.

The award serves as a powerful testament to the evolution of the Ukrainian market, highlighting the critical role of full-cycle construction companies that can execute complex, cross-border projects with precision.

A Victory for International Partnership

The winning project is a result of a strategic initiative led by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). It represents a seamless collaboration between KMT Prefab OÜ, a leading Estonian manufacturer, and Aleksandria construction company, a prominent Ukrainian general contractor.

The project was successfully realized in the Zhytomyr region, located in the historic and scenic woodlands of Polissia. This partnership perfectly illustrates the modern “general contractor” model that is reshaping Ukraine’s construction landscape. While the high-tech timber elements were manufactured in Estonia, the success of the project relied heavily on the on-ground expertise provided by the Ukrainian side in the Zhytomyr area. As a general contractor, firms like “Aleksandria” act as the single point of responsibility, managing the transition from the drawing board to the physical site. By handling the foundation work, legal permits, and final assembly logistics, the general contractor ensures that international aid and technology are translated effectively into tangible housing.

The “HATA” Design: Innovation Meets Tradition

The jury praised the project as a “work of symbolic importance,” noting how it utilizes Estonian timber construction to provide high-quality housing quickly in conflict-affected regions.

The standard design for these homes, titled HATA, was selected during an architectural competition organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Union of Estonian Architects, and ESTDEV. The winning concept was a joint effort between the Estonian firm DAGOpen and the Ukrainian studio Byro, featuring architects Anna Solts, Oksana Buziak, Jaan Kuusemets, and Oleksii Pakhomov.

The design combines the best of modern European architecture with practical needs:

• Spacious Living: Each home features 212 square meters of living space.
• Capacity: Designed for large foster families, the layout includes seven bedrooms and four bathrooms.
• Efficiency: The wooden elements were produced in Estonia, transported to Ukraine, and assembled on-site by the general contractor.

This method reflects the industry’s push toward modern management methodologies. By using prefabricated elements, the construction team minimized delays and ensured consistent quality—a hallmark of the “turnkey” approach.

Symbolism and Social Impact

While the technical achievement is significant, the moral weight of the project is even greater. Annika Kadaja, CEO of Woodhouse Estonia, noted that rebuilding Ukraine is “not only a construction challenge but also a symbolic and moral step.”

The project has successfully provided safe, dignified homes for three large Ukrainian families displaced by the war. Tarmo Needo, ESTDEV’s programme manager for Infrastructure Development, emphasized that the goal was to demonstrate the speed and quality of prefabricated construction while restoring a sense of normalcy for those affected by the conflict.

“These homes are manufactured in just a few months, yet are sustainable and dignified, offering both practical support and hope for the future,” said Kadaja.

A Blueprint for the Future

This award places the Ukrainian construction sector firmly within the European context of innovation. The Prefab House of the Year 2025 Awards, where the overall winner was a groundbreaking seven-story modular building in Norway, underscores the high standards of the competition.

For Ukraine, this win validates the strategy of combining local expertise with international technology. It highlights that Ukrainian general contractors are not just rebuilding what was lost; they are integrating into the global market, adopting advanced logistics, and delivering projects that meet the highest industry standards.

As the country looks toward the future, the combination of steadfast resilience, professional upskilling, and international partnership — as seen in the work of Aleksandria and ESTDEV — will be the foundation of a stronger, more prosperous nation.

Source: Official website of the Aleksandria construction company