This year at RESTA 2025, the largest construction and renovation exhibition in the Baltic States, Modulina joined not just as participants, but as part of the movement shaping the future of sustainable construction. For the first time, we took the stage as speakers — our lead architectural engineer, Laurynas Marcinkus, shared insights on “Sustainable Construction from Natural Materials: Straw Panel Technology.” His talk was part of a broader shift we witnessed throughout the exhibition — a growing commitment to nature-based solutions, climate-conscious design, and real action toward a greener built environment.
Curious about what’s driving this transformation, we sat down with the RESTA organizers to dive deeper into their mission and how the exhibition is evolving into a platform for meaningful change for the planet.
RESTA’s mission and role
– How has the RESTA exhibition evolved in recent years in the context of sustainability, CO₂ reduction, and the circular economy?
– We’ve moved away from paper brochures, which were once the norm, and shifted our focus toward digital promotional tools. We’re also actively involved in nature conservation initiatives. For example, this year we partnered with Myliu mišką (I Love Forests) and invited participants to join a tree-planting event.
Our core goal is to establish RESTA as a platform for promoting green solutions. Every year, we encourage exhibitors to showcase innovative, sustainable materials and technologies at their stands. In addition, RESTA hosts a wide range of events focused on environmental topics.
– What were the key sustainability highlights at RESTA 2025? Are you noticing a growing interest in natural or bio-based solutions?
– Absolutely. The construction sector is undergoing a major transformation to reduce its environmental impact, and we reflect that both in our exhibition and in the event program.
Some of the main themes include energy efficiency and green buildings, renewable energy sources, the green transition in construction (including circular economy practices, material recycling, organic building materials, smart technologies, and sustainability criteria in green procurement).
Both businesses and public institutions are now engaging with these topics and presenting eco-friendly solutions — whether through exhibition stands or during sessions. Visitors, too — from industry professionals to future homeowners — are showing increasing curiosity and awareness about sustainability and environmentally responsible choices.
– Do you think Lithuania is ready to adopt low or zero-carbon construction solutions more broadly? How does RESTA help foster this shift?
– Yes, and we see it happening step by step. RESTA plays a key role in this by giving visibility to emerging solutions and connecting stakeholders — suppliers, experts, and end users — through knowledge-sharing and real-life examples.
About sustainable construction
– Are you noticing increased interest in natural materials like wood, clay, straw, hemp, or recycled plastics and glass?
– Definitely. As society becomes more conscious, more people are asking how to create a healthy and harmonious living environment. There’s a growing awareness of personal well-being, and people are actively looking for sustainable and natural materials that are both good for their health and gentle on the planet.
– Are people more drawn to innovative solutions, even if they aren’t sustainable, or do they prioritize sustainability — or try to find a balance?
– Most people are aiming for a balance. There’s a common perception that sustainable and eco-friendly materials are significantly more expensive. At RESTA, we aim to show that this doesn’t always have to be the case. Our exhibitors play a big part in this by informing and educating visitors, offering alternative solutions tailored to individual needs.
– This year, especially in the outdoor areas, we noticed more displays featuring sustainable and innovative building technologies. Will RESTA continue to highlight these in the future?
– Absolutely. We closely follow developments in the construction sector, and sustainability and eco-friendly building remain central themes each year. We make sure these topics are not only present in the exhibition space but also reflected in the event’s content — including sessions for professionals and new homeowners alike.
For instance, this year we hosted an event on “Multifunctional Hemp Fiber Composites: From Acoustic Design to Construction Solutions,” presented by Viltė Adomavičiūtė — founder of CANNAMAMA, and a researcher/designer of ecological composites at the New European Bauhaus Research Center at VDA.
This is just one example of how RESTA provides a space for important topics to be raised, questions to be asked, and meaningful dialogue between stakeholders to happen.
