There are six main categories for which one winner and one highly commended project will be awarded at the discretion of the panel of judges. The criteria for these awards are based on design, craftsmanship, quality of installation and do not take size or value into account. Entries can be made for one, or more, of the following categories:
Categories
Commercial & Public Access
This category includes all public and commercial buildings funded by public or private clients. Examples include schools, libraries, offices, buildings with public access, hotels and restaurants and public leisure facilities.
Private/Best Small Project
This category includes privately funded projects for non-commercial clients and small design projects. Examples include residential property, new builds, extensions and design projects for special events such as ‘Sclera’, David Adjaye’s pavilion for the 2008 London Design Festival.
Structural
This category includes timber-frame buildings, bridges, interior and exterior structures and decking, funded by private or public clients.
Conservation/Restoration
This category includes any project in the private or public sector in which conservation and/or restoration is the primary objective. The project may be structural or non-structural. Extensions and new buildings are excluded from this category. The scale of the work is not a significant criterion.
Best Use of British Timber
This category includes any project in the private or public sector which uses British timber. The project may be structural or non-structural and the scale of the work is not a significant criterion. Last year’s winner was the Oak Bridge in Northumberland (Price & Myers).
Furniture
Entries are invited for furniture to the highest standards of design made either as individual pieces, or as batches from small workshops as well as larger manufacturers. Anyone may enter any piece(s) with the permission of the current owner.
Judges will select one overall winner and may award highly commendeds at their discretion.
The Gold Award
The Gold Award is chosen by the judges from the winners of all six categories (Commercial & Public Access, Private/Best Small Project, Structural, Conservation/Restoration, Best Use of British Timber and Furniture). The Gold Award is the winner of winners, and previous recipients include Kings Place (Dixon Jones) and the New Shetland Museum & Archives (BDP).
Special Awards
The judges may also, at their sole discretion, give special recognition for exceptional work with awards for Outstanding Design, Outstanding Craftsmanship and Innovation. These awards have been included in order to recognise and acknowledge the importance of design, craftsmanship and innovation in promoting the use of wood in architecture and design. Special awards are irrespective of category entered.
