A story about a pioneering family business and their mission to take us back to our roots.
In modern construction, more and more attention is paid to the use of natural materials, which not only
reduces the ecological footprint, but also forms a healthy and sustainable living environment. Hardijs
Tučs, project manager at RB&B Eko materials together with Andris Zeps, head of Tiny House Factory talk
about these trends, sharing their experience and vision for ecological construction.
RB&B Eko Materials is a pioneering family-run company with deep roots in sustainable construction.
“Eighteen years ago, we became the first in Latvia to insulate buildings with Ecowool — an innovative,
eco-friendly material that remains at the heart of our work today. From private homes to public buildings,
we’ve insulated over 2,000 structures across Latvia, Sweden, and Norway, always guided by a
commitment to energy efficiency, healthy indoor climates, and long-term value.”
RB&B`s Ecowool, developed in collaboration with leading building physicists, reflects our dual
responsibility. “We not only produce the insulation but also install it using a time-tested system refined
through years of hands-on experience. This unique approach allows us to create homes so efficient that
owners often struggle to find heating systems small enough.” says Hardijs Tučs, project manager
at RB&B Eko Materials.
RB&B Eko Materials is on a mission — to make it possible for more people to live in warm and affordable
homes. They proudly offer free building inspections and consultations, sharing their knowledge with
anyone interested in building a better, greener future.
Sustainable and natural – the foundation of the homes of the future
Tiny House Factory represents the current segment of small houses, but, as Andris Zeps points out, their
houses are significantly different from traditional “film houses” with forced ventilation. “In our homes,
natural ventilation is provided thanks to fibreboard in combination with ecowool insulation and clay
plaster as interior finish, which allows the walls to ‘breathe’ and maintains a healthy microclimate,”
explains Zeps.
Modular House Flensburg | Tiny House Factory
The company’s approach is based on a careful selection of materials. The structures use a wooden
frame, but recycled paper is embedded in the insulation, which provides excellent thermal insulation
properties and is an environmentally friendly solution. The clay plaster used in the decoration not only
improves air quality and moisture balance, but also gives the rooms a natural aesthetic.
Modular house wall elements | Tiny House Factory
“Our goal is to create homes that combine sustainability, naturalness and comfort,” adds Zeps,
emphasizing that such homes are not only environmentally friendly, but also economically beneficial.
Solutions that have stood the test of time
The construction of ecological houses is impossible without suitable and sustainable materials. Hardijs
Tučs, project manager at RB&B Eko Materials, points out the need to think long-term when making
decisions about construction processes and material choices. “We live in a world where demolishing and
disposing of a building can be even more expensive than building it. The most important thing is what
remains after us.”
He emphasizes that responsible construction begins with the question of what will remain after us.
Where there was a wooden house, stones remain, while masonry buildings leave behind a pile of
environmentally polluting construction waste. Therefore, when choosing materials, it is essential to
understand whether they pollute the environment or not. Such an approach helps to build sustainable
and environmentally friendly construction.
Private house | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
Hardy’s vision is clear: by working on traditional construction, it can be adapted to modern needs and
improve its efficiency. Such a combination would make it possible to create economical, sustainable and
healthy homes that would not only last longer, but also not affect the environment.
Commercial building | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
Innovation through collaboration
Our solution, the thermal insulation material RB&B-s Ecowool combined with woodfibre softboards, is
developed in cooperation with the most experienced construction experts, building physicists and Nordic
Fibreboard in Estonia. Woodfibre based building materials are considered the most ecological building
material next to raw wood, as they are carbon neutral and biodegradable, making them an unbeatable
combination, historical and strong, like the bond between Latvia and Estonia.
The materials used in ecological construction are not a new discovery – they have been time-tested and
modernized to meet modern needs. Hardijs Tučs emphasizes: “The materials we use have been known
since the 1930s. We don’t come up with anything new — we’re just modernizing them.”
Private house | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
One of such materials is clay, which used to be coarse and was available in Latvia only in brown color.
Today, thanks to technology, clay can be worked out more subtle, making it ideal for indoor interiors.
Brown/red clay is widely available in Latvia, which is used for a base layer 8 mm thick, which ensures
excellent moisture regulation.
Clay plastered wall | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
But clay is not just brown – it is available in almost all shades of natural colors. The variety of clay colors
is determined by the minerals contained in it. Since these colors come from nature, they are calm,
harmonious and rich in nuances. For example, looking at the foliage of a tree or shrub, we see a green
color, but countless different shades of green can be detected in it. It is similar with clay plaster –
minerals add depth to the paint and create a multi-layered, lively look.
Clay plastered wall | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
In addition, clay plaster offers endless surface finishing options – from a traditionally rough texture to a
glossy smooth finish. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for ecological homes, where aesthetics and
naturalness are equally important.
RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
In addition to clay, fiberboard and ecowool occupy an important place. Fiberboard provides thermal
insulation, sound damping and helps regulate humidity, while allowing structures to “breathe”. In turn,
ecowool produced from recycled pulp is not only environmentally friendly, but also energy efficient. It
perfectly fills structures, eliminates cold bridges and provides long-term comfort and warmth.
“The natural materials we offer have stood the test of time and are suitable for the construction of
ecological houses,” sums up Hardijs Tučs. These are solutions that combine sustainability, practicality
and care for a healthy living environment.
Hermetically built climate-neutral houses in modern construction often face problems such as increased
air humidity and the concentration of harmful substances in indoor air. The reduced air exchange, which
is characteristic of modern housing, only aggravates this situation. To deal with this, houses are
equipped with mechanical ventilation systems with recuperation.
“But the disadvantages associated with this are the additional investment in equipment and the annual
maintenance costs. Any piece of equipment works for an average of 5-10 years, after which it has to be
replaced, and these costs must be spread over the years of operation,” explains Hardijs Tučs.
Private house | RB&B Eko Materials, Latvia
Hardijs Tučs emphasizes that in houses built from natural building materials, such problems do not exist.
In ecological homes, natural air exchange and humidity regulation are provided with materials such as
clay plaster and fiberglass insulation, which allow the walls to “breathe” and maintain a healthy
microclimate without mechanical equipment. “When building an ecological house, the cost is higher for
materials, but for a “film house” they arise due to ventilation equipment. Putting everything together, the
construction costs are the same, but in 50 years, an ecological house is three times cheaper,” he points
out.
Such an approach not only reduces long-term costs, but also creates a sustainable, healthy and
environmentally friendly living environment.
Towards a healthier future
Andris Zeps emphasizes that the lack of understanding of ecological houses is still widespread. “Many
natural homes are confused with film-frame houses that use synthetic materials and forced ventilation,”
he explains. However, true ecological homes not only offer sustainable solutions, but also have
significant advantages – no mold, fungus or health problems, as natural materials such as clay plaster
and wood fibre insulation help regulate humidity levels and ensure an optimal microclimate. In addition,
such houses are also energy efficient – they are able to accumulate heat, but in summer provide pleasant
coolness, so there is no need for air conditioning.
Eco modular House in EU | project Visby | Tiny House Factory
As we can see, ecological homes are a viable alternative to climate-neutral homes, which make a
significant contribution to both the environment and the health of the population. This is not a past illusion
of “healthy construction”, but a modern and practical approach ensured by carefully selected materials,
thoughtful architecture and sustainable construction methods.
Article is partly based on “Ecological and climate-neutral houses of wood„ published 15.12.24 on archidea.lv
About RB&B Eko Materjal
The “RB&B” eco-builders team is a industry pioneer, first to start insulating buildings with Ecowool in
Latvia 18 years ago. In Latvia, Sweden, Norway and rest of Europe, they have insulated more than 2,000
houses in total. The thermal insulation material used is developed in cooperation with the most
experienced construction experts, building physicists and Nordic Fibrewood.
“RB&B” insulated buildings are recognized as the warmest in Latvia, although their owners often
complain that it is difficult to find such a low-power heating device that would be suitable for the house.
For more information, visit: Sākums
More about Ecowool: Sākums
Contact us at: Kontakti
About Tiny House Factory
Tiny House Factory, a company specializing in the production of natural modular Houses for year-round
living, combining functionality, aesthetics, and environmental consciousness.
Our homes require no additional assembly or construction work on site. Simply furnish and enjoy.
Delivering worldwide, we offer unique solutions for those seeking independence, mobility, and freedom
of choice.
For more information, visit: Tiny House | buy eco modular home in EU
About Nordic Fibreboard
Since beginning of 2024 Nordic Fibreboard, under new ownership, is looking to position itself as a partner to companies around the world in the building and industrial packaging sectors.
We are a solutions provider offering sustainable, re-usable and healthy materials based on timber-based fiber as an alternative to commonly used non-sustainable and often unhealthy materials. With an annual production capacity of 120,000 m³, we are one of Northern Europe’s leading woodfibre board manufacturers.
For more information, visit: Home – Nordic Fibreboard