Wood Awards

🌟 Wood Awards 2024 – It’s a Wrap! 🌟 What a year it has been for the Wood Awards! In 2024, we celebrated exceptional design and craftsmanship, with an impressive 33 shortlisted projects across both building and furniture categories. Each project showcased the incredible potential of wood as a medium for innovation, beauty, and sustainability. This year, we introduced the Sculptured Objects category in furniture, shining a spotlight on the artistry and creativity behind sculptural wood design. Led by Sebastian Cox Ltd, our new furniture judging panel brought fresh perspectives to the competition, reflecting the dynamic evolution of the design world. Our annual exhibition at Gallery@Oxo returned for its third year, in partnership with Material Matters, providing the public with an opportunity to experience the talent and creativity behind these remarkable projects. The year concluded with a fantastic awards ceremony, where we honoured the best of the best in wood design. A huge thank you to our sponsors: The Carpenters’ Company, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), and Timber Development UK, for their invaluable support in making the Wood Awards a success. As we close out 2024, we’re already looking ahead to 2025! Stay tuned for the call for entries and exciting updates in the coming weeks. Thank you to everyone who participated, visited, and supported the Wood Awards this year. Let’s continue to celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability that make wood such a remarkable material. Full article here: https://bit.ly/3WdJdMU

Celebrating the Highly Commended Projects of the Wood Awards 2024 This year’s Wood Awards highlighted the beauty, versatility, and sustainability of timber. Alongside our winners, we proudly showcase the highly commended projects that exemplify exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. 🌟 Buildings 🌟 Education & Public: Pembroke Mill Lane (Phase 1) by Haworth Tompkins A thoughtful integration of contemporary timber construction into a historical context, with oak, brickwork, and stone creating warm, light-filled interiors. Private: Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki & Old School House by bindloss dawes Niwa House: A tranquil oasis with sunken courtyards flooding a basement with light, showcasing timber’s structural and thermal benefits. Old School House: A sensitive extension using sweet chestnut cladding, blending seamlessly with its historical setting. Small: The Drying Shed Sauna by Built Works A compact woodland retreat using repurposed timber and clever design details, offering durability and harmony with its natural surroundings. Structural: WorkStack by dRMM Cantilevered CLT panels create visually striking, functional spaces with low embodied carbon, demonstrating timber’s potential for urban regeneration. Sustainability: Liberty Woodland School by Wimshurst Pelleriti Timber structures support year-round outdoor education, incorporating reuse of materials, biodiversity, and energy-efficient designs. 🌟 Furniture 🌟 Bespoke: National Portrait Gallery Bench by Jamie Fobert Architects and Benchmark Furniture A beautifully crafted public bench showcasing CNC precision and thoughtful design. Production: Aran by Morgan Furniture A chair celebrating sustainability through cross-industry collaboration and innovative materials. Sculpted Object: Common Ground by Alison Crowther A stunning piece crafted from fallen timber, celebrating the natural beauty of wood. Student: The Red Loop Windsor by Lucy Steward A vibrant design combining comfort and artistry in a dynamic display of craftsmanship. These projects showcase timber’s transformative power, inspiring sustainable practices and pushing the boundaries of design. Congratulations to all involved for their dedication and innovation. 👉 Explore all the winners and highly commended projects on our website: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu

🌟 Celebrating Exceptional Innovation: Uist House – Research & Innovation Winner 🌟 The Research and Innovation Award is not always given, making this year’s recognition of Uist House truly special. This sculptural modular home exemplifies ground-breaking design, sustainability, and the innovative use of homegrown timber. Why Uist House Stands Out: 🏡 Built for the Outer Hebridean climate, it harmonises with its surroundings overlooking a tidal lagoon. 🌳 Crafted from Welsh Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, and Larch, it highlights the potential of undervalued UK timbers. 🏗️ Constructed in a Welsh factory and shipped in seven modules, it combines innovation with local craftsmanship. 💡 With low-carbon materials, airtightness, and cellulose insulation, it sets a benchmark for sustainable homes. 🔬 This project supports UK green jobs, sustainable forestry, and the high-value use of homegrown timber. The judges were in awe of the craftsmanship and integrity of the project, stating: "Uist House redefines what modular construction can achieve, combining extraordinary quality, sustainability, and innovation. From the use of undervalued species to the flawless execution, it’s a testament to the future of green design and UK timber." Congratulations to Koto Design, Hiraeth Architecture, and the entire Uist House team for this outstanding achievement! 📖 View the project here: https://bit.ly/3Y6OXrS 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Isle of North Uist ✨ Architect: Koto Design and Hiraeth Architecture 🏗️ Structural Engineer: Paramount Structures Ltd 🪵 Wood Supplier: Unnos Systems 🏢 Contractor: Unnos Systems 🌳 Species: Douglas Fir (Wales), Sitka Spruce (UK), Larch (UK), Oak. FSC certified ⚜️ Interior Design: Koto Living 🔨 Joinery: Kenton Jones Collection 🧱 Cladding and Decking: IRO / BSW Timber 🪟 Architectural Glazing: Spectrum / Internorm UK 📸 Photographer: Olco Studios

🌱 Haileybury SciTech: Highlighting Excellence in Sustainable Design 🌱 The Sustainability Award celebrates projects that push boundaries in environmental responsibility and innovation - and this year’s winner, Haileybury SciTech, is a shining example. Designed by Hopkins Architects, this groundbreaking Science and Technology campus redefines how science can be taught in schools while championing sustainable construction. Key highlights of Haileybury SciTech: 🏫 Integrates a CLT and Glulam framed extension with existing Grade II listed and modern buildings, creating a cohesive campus. 🌳 Fully embraces timber’s structural and thermal properties, with exposed CLT slabs reducing embodied carbon by up to 56% per square metre compared to conventional methods. 🔬 Includes a two-storey Research Building, home to pioneering projects like the prestigious Stan-X project, alongside a three-storey Teaching Building arranged in a linear block. "This well-proportioned CLT building with brick-clad facades integrates old and new buildings, preserving the existing structure. The cloister arrangement improves thermal performance, and the CLT stair with stone slabs is a brilliant feature. With low embodied carbon, ground-source heat pumps, a large array of PVs, and a focus on sustainability, this project is a strong circular economy success." Congratulations to all involved in this transformative project that sets a new standard for sustainable education spaces! 📖 View the project here: https://bit.ly/3Yz7OgJ 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Hertford ✨ Architect: Hopkins Architects 🏗️ Structural Engineer: Integral Engineering Design 🪵 Wood Supplier: B&K Structures, Hanson & Beards Ltd, UKA Systems 🏢 Contractor: KIER Construction 🌳 Species: Spruce CLT (Austria), Spruce Glulam (Germany), American White Oak (USA). PEFC and FSC-certified 🌟 Client: Haileybury 🛠️ CLT Subcontractor: B&K Structures 👷 CLT Engineer: Engenuiti 📸 Photographer: Airey Spaces & Alan Bennett

🌟 Karl and Rita: Wood Awards 2024 Student Winner 🌟 The Student Designer category holds a special place in the Wood Awards. It spotlights the next generation of creative minds who are redefining the possibilities of timber. By nurturing and celebrating emerging talent, this category highlights the role of young designers in shaping a more sustainable and innovative future for design and craftsmanship. This year’s winner, the Karl and Rita Love Seat by Alex Radivan, is a remarkable example of the creativity and dedication the Student Designer category represents. Crafted with precision and care, this beautiful piece: 🪑 Encourages connection with its angled seating designed for intimate conversation. 🪵 Utilises UK-sourced ash, blending an ebonised finish with natural Danish paper cord for striking contrast. 📦 Includes a hidden compartment that doubles as a memory box for cherished mementoes. 💡 Draws inspiration from Arts and Crafts traditions while celebrating honest construction and enduring quality. The Student Designer category offers a platform for fresh ideas and fosters the exploration of timber as a sustainable, versatile material. Projects like Alex Radivan’s Karl and Rita Love Seat reflect the perfect harmony between innovative thinking and respect for traditional craftsmanship. Congratulations to Alex Radivan from Nottingham Trent University for this outstanding achievement! We’re proud to champion such extraordinary talent and are excited to see how student designers continue to push the boundaries of design. 👏 📖 View the project here: https://bit.ly/3AG7AeA 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Nottingham ✨ Designer: Alex Radivan 🛠️ Manufacturer: Alex Radivan & Andrew Lee 🌳 Species: Ash (UK) 🎓 University / College: Nottingham Trent University 📷 Photographer: Alex Radivan

🌟 Celebrating Restoration & Reuse Excellence: Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre 🌟 The Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre was crowned the Restoration & Reuse winner, showcasing the extraordinary potential of timber in breathing new life into historic buildings. 🏆 This Grade-I & Grade-II listed landmark, nestled within historic Regency gardens and adjoining the Royal Pavilion, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the project highlights the power of timber restoration to preserve heritage while delivering modern functionality. Key achievements include: 🌳 The repair and restoration of the UK’s longest single-span timber frame, preserving the original structure through advanced engineering and meticulous craftsmanship. 🌳 A stunning blend of old and new timber enhances the building’s warmth and pays homage to the UK’s timber heritage. 🌳 Major technical and operational improvements, including improved accessibility, a new foyer space, and a café – ensuring this cultural hub thrives for another century. Jim Greaves, lead judge of the Wood Awards, summed it up beautifully: "The Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre stands as an excellent example of restoration and reuse. This project demonstrates how advanced engineering, skilled craftsmanship, and sensitive design can deliver a newly restored and repurposed building fit for the 21st century." This project serves as a beacon for sustainable architecture, proving that restoration and reuse are not only possible but essential in decarbonising construction and preserving history for future generations. 📖 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3OhgJh1 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Brighton ✨ Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (@fcbstudios) 🏗️ Structural Engineer: Arup (@arupgroup) 🪵 Wood Supplier: Neil Burke Joinery [NBJ] / Weitzer Parkett (@nbjlondon, @weitzerparkett) 🏢 Contractor: R. Durtnell & Sons / Westridge Construction Ltd 🌳 Species: European Oak (Croatia). FSC certified 👷 Quantity Surveyor & Project Manager: Jackson Coles (@jacksoncoles_llp) 🎭 Theatre Design & Acoustics: Charcoal Blue (@charcoalblue) 🧯 Fire Engineer: The Fire Surgery 🌟 CDM Principal Designer: Feilden Clegg Bradley (@fcbstudios) 🪴 Landscape Services: LT Studio 🌎 Building Services & Sustainability Consultant: Max Fordham (@maxfordhamllp) 📸 Photographer: Richard Chivers (@richchiversphoto) #WoodAwards24 #RestorationAndReuse #TimberArchitecture #SustainableDesign

🏆 Bough Terrace: Refurbished Victorian Terrace - Interior Design Winner 🏡 This stunning Victorian mews house by Tuckey Design Studio has been awarded the Interior Design category's top prize at the 2024 Wood Awards! Nestled in Knightsbridge, the house reveals its rich timber history by blending old and new materials. Stripped back to its bare timber lattice, the design exposes the building’s past while introducing striking contemporary elements like the curved midnight blue staircase, crafted by bespoke shipbuilders. This hand-folded plywood masterpiece seemingly floats, inviting light into the space and connecting the tactile, restored ground floor with the dramatic, contrasting upper level. The renovation by Imperial Building, with joinery by Cube and timber supplied by Elliotts, creatively reused original materials. For example, excess pitch pine rafters were transformed into a bespoke bench supported by new Douglas fir legs, exemplifying the team’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. What makes this project extraordinary: 🔹 Innovative Staircase Design: both functional and visually stunning, creating a dynamic focal point 🔸 Sustainable Craftsmanship: Existing timber was reused wherever possible, blending historic and modern materials seamlessly while minimizing waste. 🔹 Masterful Juxtaposition: The interplay between the aged timbers and precise contemporary additions celebrates timber's versatility in texture, form, and age. Jim Greaves, Lead Buildings Judge and Principal of Hopkins Architects commented “a tour de force of restoration work on a simple domestic interior,” praising its sensitive layering of old and new timbers and the seamless integration of form, function, and history. 📖 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4gdh0xT 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: London ✨ Architect: Tuckey Design Studio 🏗️ Structural Engineer: BC Structural Design 🪵 Wood Supplier: Elliott Wood 🏢 Contractor: Imperial Building 🌳 Species: Redwood Pine (Sweden, Finland), Douglas Fir, reclaimed timber. FSC certified 🔨 Joinery: Cube 📸 Photographer: Fran Mart #WoodAwards24

✨ Endless Orbit: Winner of the Sculptured Object Category ✨ We are proud to celebrate Endless Orbit by Oliver Spendley, a captivating series of sculptural works that entwine native Scottish stone and timber to explore the cycles of nature and the profound connections between natural elements, materials, and forces. Each piece within Endless Orbit is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design: 🌿 A hand-carved timber disk, shaped to fit seamlessly around a Lewisian gneiss stone, collected from a remote cove in the north-west Highlands. The disk’s precision and elegance echo the timelessness of the ancient stone. 🌳 Totem-like plinths, crafted from Scottish elm and larch, celebrate the raw beauty of the wood’s natural grain. Delicate butterfly joints are inlaid to follow the organic checking of the timber, elevating each piece’s structural and aesthetic appeal. 🔗 Scribing and traditional boat-building techniques are used to achieve a flawless fit between the timber and stone. These pieces are connected and balanced not just through intricate joinery but also by the most fundamental natural force – gravity. Endless Orbit’s stunning design invites contemplation of the cycles of creation, the harmony between materials, and the beauty inherent in imperfection. Each piece becomes a poetic expression of balance, interconnectedness, and the artistry of handcraft. Congratulations to Oliver Spendley on this award-winning creation that truly embodies the innovative and artistic spirit of the Wood Awards! 📖 Endless Orbit full information: https://bit.ly/3zYmyfG 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Edinburgh ✨ Designer: Oliver Spendley 🛠️ Manufacturer: Oliver Spendley 🪵 Wood Supplier: Balnakeil Wooden Boat Services 🌳 Species: Elm, Larch (Scotland) 📷 Photographer: Oliver Spendley #WoodAwards24

🏆 Small Project Winner: Rhodes House Garden Pavilion! 🎉 We are thrilled to celebrate Rhodes House Garden Pavilion, a striking fusion of structural ingenuity and aesthetic beauty, awarded the Small Project category winner at this year’s Wood Awards. Set within the lush gardens of the Grade II listed Rhodes House, this exquisite glass and timber pavilion provides a flexible ‘garden room’ where scholars and the public can meet and engage. As part of a wider refurbishment and extension of the Rhodes Trust headquarters, this project beautifully marries traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques. Key features include: 🌳 A timber lattice structure, designed to cantilever over the root protection areas of nearby trees without compromising the landscape 🌿 A green roof that enhances sustainability while blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings 🔲 Frameless glass walls that create a seamless connection between the pavilion and the garden 📐 Parametric modelling is used to optimize roof geometry, ensuring both structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal Judges’ Comments: "It’s a really well-executed piece of structure that pushes the boundaries of furniture, creating a beautiful and expressive pavilion." Congratulations to all the talented individuals and teams involved in bringing this incredible project to life! 👏 📖 Rhodes House Garden Pavilion full information: https://bit.ly/3AzIiPm 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Oxford ✨ Architect: Stanton Williams 🏗️ Structural Engineer: Webb Yates Engineers 🪵 Wood Supplier: Braden Timber Structures 🏢 Contractor: Beard Construction 🌳 Species: Spruce LVL (Scandinavia), Ash (Europe). PEFC certified 🌟 Client: Rhodes Trust 🔨 Joinery: Braden Timber Structures 🚪 Internal Joinery: Paragon Joinery ⚡️ Mechanical and Electrical Engineer: Skelly & Couch 🎵 Acoustic Contractor: Sandy Brown 📸 Photographer: Hufton Crow #WoodAwards24 #TimberDesign #SustainableArchitecture #Craftsmanship #PavilionDesign #Innovation

🏆 HIAVEN - Contemporary Farmhouse, the Private Winner of the 2024 Wood Awards! We are thrilled to spotlight this extraordinary contemporary farmhouse, the Private Category Winner at this year's Wood Awards, announced on November 20th. This low-energy masterpiece combines architectural brilliance with sustainability and is located in Oxford amidst 100 acres of rejuvenated farmland. Designed by BPN Architects, it features: 🌱 A landscape enriched with newly planted trees and wildflowers 🏡 A seamless, minimal-material design blending timber and acid-etched concrete 🛠️ A groundbreaking timber-concrete composite roof showcasing hybrid engineering and a commitment to reusability The structure serves as both living accommodation and exhibition space, offering an inspiring 12×36-metre column-free area under an exposed and elegant roof solution. A true testament to how wood can inspire bold and innovative design while championing sustainability. 📖 HIAVENs full information: https://bit.ly/4fvF8eJ 🔗 Find out more about the 2024 winners here: https://bit.ly/4fA8nNu 📍 Location: Oxford ✨ Architect: BPN Architects 🏗️ Structural Engineer: Webb Yates Engineers 🪵 Wood Supplier: Pollmeier Massivholz 🏢 Contractor: Lamburn Geekie 🌳 Species: Beech LVL (Germany). PEFC certified 🌟Client: Javelin Block 🔨 Joinery: Constructional Timber (Manufacturers) Ltd 🚪 Timber Draughting: Redgate Engineering Ltd 📸 Photographer: Paul Miller