The Wood Awards is inviting architects and designers to submit UK-based timber projects and products
In association with
The Wood Awards: Excellence in British Architecture and Product Design has launched its 2018 call for entries. Anyone involved in a UK-based wood project is invited to enter and has until 25 May to submit their applications via the Wood Awards website.
The deadline for entries is 25 May
Established in 1971, the Wood Awards recognises, encourages and promotes outstanding design, craftsmanship and installation using wood in UK projects. An elite, independent jury not only judges the submitted entries, but also visits the shortlisted projects, making the Wood Awards a uniquely rigorous competition.
Feilden Fowles Studio, London, by Feilden Fowles, Small Project Winner 2017
The shortlist will be announced in July, with the winners declared at the Wood Awards ceremony on 20 November at Carpenters’ Hall in London. The shortlisted projects will be on display at the ceremony and during the London Design Festival in September.
Maggie’s Oldham by dRMM, Education & Public Sector Winner 2017
Stephen Corbett of Green Oak Carpentry and design critic Corinne Julius are the New Buildings and Furniture & Product judging panel chairpersons. “Every year the call for entries for the Wood Awards cast its net ever wider and deeper, as the new wave of enthusiasm for working with wood gathers pace”, says Corbett. “Years ago, timber buildings and furniture were the pre-eminent choice – now it is clear that their time has come around again, presenting enormous opportunities for our foremost architects and designers”.
Rievaulx Abbey, York, by Simpson & Brown, Commercial & Leisure Winner 2017
Julius adds, “Wood is such a beautiful, versatile material. It reveals the history of its use, with a richness of patina. There are so many ways to work with it both for commercial production and to make one-offs. In the last few years there has been a reappraisal of its qualities with an increasing number of designers responding to its potential, matched by an increased appreciation by consumers.”
Coastal House, Devon, by 6a architects, Gold Award & Interiors Winner 2017
With permission from the owner, anyone associated with a building or product completed in the last two years, can enter. Buildings must be located within the UK, while furniture and other products must have been either designed or manufactured in the UK. Fitted furniture must also be in the UK. The competition is free to enter and entrants may submit more than one project. There are no restrictions on project size or budget.
Rustic Stool 1.0 by Mark Laban, Student Designer Winner 2017
The 2018 award categories will be confirmed at the shortlisting. Building categories are likely to be Commercial & Leisure, Education & Public Sector, Interiors, Private, and Small Project. The Furniture & Product competition will be split into Bespoke, Production Made, and Student Designer. The latter is open to anyone currently in education or who has left education in the past 12 months. There are two cash prizes within the Student Designer category: £1,000 for the winner and £500 for the people’s choice. Other awards, such as Structural and Existing Building awards, can be given at the judges’ discretion.
As a not-for-profit competition, the Wood Awards can only happen with collaborative industry sponsorship. Major Sponsors for 2018 are American Hardwood Export Council, the Carpenters’ Company, TRADA and the London Design Fair. Mears Group will be sponsoring this years’ Gold Award. The Mears Group Gold Award is given to overall champion, chosen from the winners of all the categories. Other sponsors include American Softwoods, Arnold Laver, Forestry Commission, Timber Trade Federation, Wood for Good and the Furniture Makers’ Company.
