Kuldīgas Fabrika is a hardwood processing mill, mainly specialising in birch, that produces wet-peeled veneer – the raw material for high-quality plywood. It is equipped with a unique technology, enabling each birch log to be harvested to the maximum possible veneer yield, and the veneer chips to be peeled down to a core of 25 mm.

Construction of the Kuldīga mill began in February 2023 and was completed on 3 April 2024, on a long-abandoned site once intended for a concrete production facility. The project was designed by UPB Projekti, and the construction was carried out by UPB. From the very start of the design process, the decision was made to preserve as much of the existing load-bearing structure as possible, while incorporating new extensions. The amenities block is constructed from timber with extensive glazing, giving the building a scale well-suited to Kuldīga’s urban environment. In total, 180 m³ of timber was used in the building’s construction, storing 149 tonnes of CO₂.

A compact hydrothermal treatment chamber for veneer plywood has been installed on-site, where logs are steamed to prepare them for peeling. The production process includes the pre-treatment and reuse of wastewater within the system, while the remaining water is treated to SIA Kuldīgas ūdens’ standards before being discharged into the city sewerage network.

The building has an A rating for heating efficiency and an A+ rating for primary non-renewable energy consumption, meeting the standards of a nearly zero-energy building. A 100 kW solar power plant has been installed on the roof, partly offsetting the building’s energy consumption.

Kuldīgas Fabrika provides a pleasant and safe working environment for its employees, with modern ventilation, ample natural light through facade windows, and workflows designed around the production technology. ​The lounge and changing room area is also built with wooden structures and finished with Latvian-made wooden interior details and furniture, creating a cosy atmosphere and consistently following the working environment quality standards set by Latvijas Finieris. ​The building offers parking, an electric car charging station, and bicycle storage.

Aigars Veitmans, Member of the Executive Board of AS Latvijas Finieris:

“For nearly 20 years, we have been constructing industrial buildings with a focus on using timber products wherever possible in both load-bearing and other structures. The Kuldīgas Fabrika project is based on Latvijas Finieris’ philosophy of sustainability and wellbeing. By combining the benefits of timber construction with care for employees, the community, and the environment – alongside digital BIM solutions and world-class technologies – we demonstrate that sustainability is a standard and integral part of Latvijas Finieris’ business culture. We thank the UPB team for their professional and efficient cooperation in bringing this project to life!”

Kaspars Rožkalns, Chairman of the Board of UPB Nams:

“This project was challenging in both the design and construction phases, as we had to ensure that the technological solutions integrated seamlessly with the structure of the building and the surrounding landscape. Thanks to our skilled team, we developed several non-standard solutions that enabled us to complete the project on time. The successful completion of this project has paved the way for continued cooperation on other Latvijas Finieris developments, including the construction of the Zābaki nursery. We are pleased that our work has been recognised by industry professionals – another strong testament to our achievements.”

It is worth noting that AS Latvijas Finieris has invested EUR 16 million in establishing Kuldīgas Fabrika, with an expected annual production turnover of around EUR 14 million.

The ‘Latvia Building of the Year 2024’ competition was organised by the Latvian Builders’ Association and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers, in cooperation with sponsors, 17 industry organisations, the State Construction Control Bureau, VAS Valsts nekustamie īpašumi, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, Riga Technical University, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Riga Construction College, and the RISEBA Faculty of Architecture and Design. The event aims to raise the quality of construction by recognising and promoting the best buildings and showcasing the best practices of Latvian contractors both in Latvia and abroad.

In this year’s competition, 67 projects from across Latvia were submitted to a jury of nearly 50 industry professionals, competing in eight categories. The experts visited all the buildings in person, with more than half evaluated in the final round by architects, builders and clients.

All sites submitted for the ‘Latvia’s Building of the Year 2024’ competition can be viewed in the competition yearbook.