Northern Periphery Programme

Development and Marketing of Ecological Wooden House Systems for Harsh Climate Areas - Eco House North

Measure: 2.1
Eligible Budget: 1 072 750 euros
NPP Award: 563 250 euros

Recent research has shown that there will be an increasing demand for ecological wooden houses in the future. This is due to an increased awareness about environmental matters, and stricter environmental legislation and requirements of buildings, for example in energy saving. Changes in the population structure and way of living also necessitate the development of new kinds of settlements and house types that are flexible and easy to modify for customers’ varying needs and expectations. However, present products do not meet all the necessary ecological requirements and their applicability to harsh climate areas needs to be improved. In order to fulfil these criteria, there is a need for an international network of expertise that would carry out the task. The development of ecological wooden house concepts and the organisation of training within the network would help bring this know-how to local SMEs. This network would also enter the export market and hence bring new business opportunities and work places to sparsely populated areas. This project aims to create a range of environment conscious building concepts, which suit different climatic, economic, social and logistic conditions in the NPP area. From an ecological point of view, the renovation of existing wooden houses is important, and therefore the project will develop ecological renovation guidelines and wooden products.

Lead Organisation:
Council of Oulu Region, Finland

Contact Person: Mr Ilkka Yliniemi Address: Micropolis Piisilta 1 Ii FIN - 91100 Finland	Telephone: +358-8-5536111 Fax: +358-8-5536112 Email: ilkka.yliniemi@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi Website: www.econo.fi
Start Date: 01/07/2004	End Date: 31/12/2006

Objectives

The main objectives of the ECONO-project are to develop a range of ecological wooden houses and a strong cluster of house production and marketing for the Northern European market. The wooden house concept would suit the growing demand for more environmentally friendly housing and would also be applicable to harsh climate areas. An international planning, marketing and production network will be convened to reach these goals, and it will also export the products outside the NPP area.

Project Activities

The project is divided into three parts:

1) Background study and business concept
2) Development of ecological wooden house concept
3) Networking, pilot construction and dissemination of the knowledge created by the project. The main operating areas are Iceland, North Finland, North Norway, Scotland and Sweden.

In practice, the work consists of carrying out a market survey and its constant up-dating; entering and presence in the targeted markets; development of products that are ecological and of a good quality; developing business and co-operation concepts; forming Northern European producer networks; searching for constructive collaboration and sales-contacts; exhibitions and pilot-houses; and providing consultation.

Expected Results

The expected results of the project are an increase in environmental consciousness amongst the construction and building industry, new techniques and materials for local companies, and improvement in export market opportunities. The project will contribute to raising employment opportunities and possibilities in the NPP area, and will also increase collaborative working and exchange of experience in this field for the benefit of the NPP area.

Partners: (click name for additional info)

European Union

Cross Programme Initiatives