Build Lab – Stand Facades Built with Koskisen Zero Board

Build Lab Showcased Construction Expertise at the Habitare Fair – Stand Facades Built with Koskisen Zero Board

According to Laura Seppänen, founder of LS Design Agency and interior architect, the Build Lab stand at Habitare 2026 was built around a strong idea. “The true expertise of Finnish construction and interior architecture deserves to be seen,” says Seppänen. The aim of the stand was to bring together professionals, materials, methods and consumers in a way that reveals the real world of construction, not just finished surfaces, but the entire process behind them.

“Build Lab was designed to honour the vast amount of expertise and craftsmanship that exists in the industry. The goal is to bring together skilled professionals along with the most innovative and aesthetically refined products, materials and construction solutions,” Seppänen explains.

A Meeting Place Where Knowledge Grows and Appreciation Increases

Build Lab is an annually recurring, hands-on meeting place where construction and interior architecture professionals meet consumers. According to Seppänen, Build Lab is not merely an exhibition stand but a living environment where visitors can see how things are actually done.

“Build Lab is above all a cultural initiative and a place where knowledge increases, appreciation grows and discussion opens up,” says Seppänen. “The stand shares knowledge, highlights professional expertise in implementation and showcases new, sustainable and technically advanced solutions ranging from modern construction to traditional methods.”

Presentations, Workshops, Real Structures and Expert Consultations

One of the most important new features of the stand was the Build Lab consultation area, consisting of small “clinics” where visitors could receive practical advice from industry professionals. Participants included contractors, electrical and lighting specialists, carpenters, HVAC professionals, a stone workshop and experts in sustainable renovation.

Visitors could seek advice on virtually any practical challenge, whether related to a family heirloom sideboard, an old wooden floor, a kitchen renovation or the functionality of a shower area.

“This direct and accessible sharing of knowledge is exactly what Finnish building culture needs,” Seppänen notes.

The Build Lab event corner featured presentations and workshops where topics were not only explained but also demonstrated in practice. The stand itself served as an example. Every structure, surface and detail within the Build Lab stand was built using real methods by real professionals.

“The stand did not only showcase products, but also demonstrated how things are done: how materials behave, how they are installed and why certain solutions work,” Seppänen explains.

Koskisen Zero Board Selected as the Structural Material

For the stand façade and structures, the organisers selected Zero board, a new Finnish product made from bio-based and renewable raw materials.

“Choosing Zero as a building material supported the Build Lab concept on many levels. Its sustainability, technical quality, ease of use and versatile product family made it a natural part of the overall stand concept,” Seppänen says.

Practical Performance and the Benefits of a Domestic Material

The Construction Services team of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre described the Build Lab project as an interesting and innovative undertaking. The concept differed significantly from conventional exhibition construction.

The wall elements made from Zero board were designed to be dismantled, stored and reused for next year’s Habitare fair. This added a new dimension to the project: the structures were not disposable but part of a longer material lifecycle.

According to the construction services team, Zero board performed well on site and differed very little from conventional particleboard. The board behaved similarly during sawing, milling, assembly and installation, and exhibition builders even found it slightly easier to process. The durability of the edges appeared good, and the unfinished surface suited the Build Lab visual identity.

The material performed flawlessly during transport, installation and use at the exhibition. The boards were delivered directly in 1200 × 3000 mm dimensions. This significantly accelerated construction because the wall elements could be built using full-size boards without additional on-site cutting.

According to the construction services team, the greatest benefit was the opportunity to build the entire stand using a Finnish-made board manufactured from bio-based and renewable raw materials while also ensuring the material’s continued use in future Habitare exhibitions.

Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is currently evaluating whether Zero could also replace other board products currently used at the venue.

Lifecycle Thinking Highlighted Through Material Choice

All Zero board structures used in Build Lab are intended for reuse in future years, making lifecycle thinking a key factor in the material selection. The structures built for the 2026 stand will be stored and reassembled for the next Build Lab event. This demonstrates that sustainability is not merely a material property but also a way of designing and building.

The Build Lab project was particularly successful because the stand was not just a visual display but a functional and living environment. It highlighted the true nature of construction, including craftsmanship, material performance, problem-solving and professional expertise. The Build Lab stand and its carefully considered material choices demonstrated that trade fairs can be places where knowledge is shared, problems are solved and construction culture continues to evolve, one encounter at a time.