Full details of all sponsors and information on The Wood Awards can be found at www.woodawards.com.
The Wood Awards was launched 40 years ago this year as the Carpenters’ Award, and since its re-launch in 2003 has established itself as Britain’s premier architecture and furniture competition celebrating excellence in design and craftsmanship using wood. The aim of The Wood Awards has always been to recognise, encourage and promote outstanding design, craftsmanship and installation in wood; an aim which, with increasing demands and requirements for sustainability and environmental responsibility, is more important than ever.
Wood has not only enjoyed a renaissance, but has become an essential material for architects in Britain. Wood is our only renewable and sustainable building material. It requires low energy in its production, is an efficient insulator and a proven structural and cladding material. These awards continue to provide a unique and exciting opportunity to see some of the very best in today’s buildings and furniture, often acknowledging excellence in architecture and furniture projects in advance of wider mainstream recognition.
2011 is a defining year for the Wood Awards. Change is in the air, and this year the awards organisation has undergone a complete restructure. There are many ‘firsts’ planned for the Wood Awards 2011, including working with the Building Centre in London to launch the Call For Entries with a “Wood Awards” seminar - a key event in the Building Centre’s ever-popular ‘Wood Talk’ series which will be chaired by Hugh Pearman, architecture critic for the Sunday Times and editor of RIBA Journal on 24th March 2011, the fee for entering projects has been removed so entries can be submitted free of any administration charge, a press reception in June at Carpenter’s Hall in London to unveil the Shortlist immediately after it has been selected by the judges, and for the first time ever, a complete change in the winners’ ceremony venue and timing, to TimberExpo in Coventry on 27th September.
TimberExpo is a dynamic new event designed to bring the timber industry together for the first time under one roof. Held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on the 27th and 28th September 2011, Timber Expo will reveal the widest and most comprehensive display of applications for timber within the built environment, and provide a timber showcase for construction and sustainable building design. As well as the venue for the Wood Awards 2011 ceremony on the 27th September, TimberExpo will also be hosting TRADA’s two-day ‘In Touch With Timber’ conference for architects, designers and engineers featuring the very latest developments, fresh ideas and innovation in architecture delivered by the timber sector.
The Wood Awards is a showcase, a flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design. It has, and will continue to inspire. The benefits for entrants - be they architects, joinery companies, contractors or engineers - are wide ranging, including peer recognition, significant media exposure, and a driver for business and economic opportunities. The Wood Awards’ message of inspiration and sustainability is backed every year by the stunning entries which use an impressive range of different wood species and wood-based products. With the enthusiastic commitment of its sponsors, including the American Hardwood Export Council, the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, TRADA, Wood For Good, American Softwoods, the British Woodworking Federation and the Malaysian Timber Council, 40 years on, the Wood Awards and excellence in design and craftsmanship using wood, is thriving.
CATEGORIES
The main categories of the Wood Awards 2011 are designed to attract projects of all shapes and sizes in architecture, joinery and furniture. The categories for entry are Commercial & Public Access, Private/Best Small Project, Structural, Conservation/Restoration, Best Use of British Timber, and Furniture, with the prestigious Gold Award going to the ‘winner of winners’. With permission from the owner, anyone associated with an eligible building or furniture project – from timber supplier to designer – can enter using the easy Wood Awards online entry form at www.woodawards.com, where there is also information on how to enter, project criteria and more details on each of the categories.