1. 2008 WOOD AWARDS – KEEPING UP THE HIGH STANDARD

    Organisers of this year’s Wood Awards are delighted by the standard of this year’s entries. Entries closed at the end of May for this highly celebrated award scheme which recognises excellence in architecture and design in wood. Amongst the 200 or so entries across the entry categories were some respected names in the architectural world including Foster and Partners and Alison Brooks Architects.

    Commenting at the judging day at Carpenters’ Hall, Giles Downes, Chairman of the Judges, spoke about the fact that the entries continue to be of a very high standard. He said: “Each year the quality of the entries is extremely impressive, and this year is no exception with a very wide range in the commercial and public access category, as well as a fine range of private houses, revealing the continuing design trend for timber cladding and interiors for the home”.

    The Commercial & Public Access category formed the largest of the five building categories and attracted projects from swimming pools to grand castles. Interestingly, supermarkets were a recurring theme with ASDA, Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores all featured amongst this year’s line up. Giles says that this reflects the growing appeal of timber in an increasingly environmentally conscious world. “It was particularly interesting to see three supermarkets with structural timber frames entered this year. With the wide spans required for supermarkets, the use of timber structures is new to this type of building, reflecting the growing requirement and willingness of supermarkets to use sustainable materials in their construction.”

    The quality of the furniture submissions was also high. Semi bespoke furniture designer/maker Philip Koomen and Lowther Fine Furniture’s offerings featured amongst a whole host of submissions from emerging and established furniture talent.

    Furniture judge Luke Hughes commented on the outstanding range of innovative ideas from some new names in the industry. He said: “There are some really exciting entries this year; gratifyingly original pieces, some intriguing and well-executed ideas and, best of all, some promising new names”.

    The judging panel, including RIBA Journal’s Hugh Pearman, Hopkins’ Jim Greaves and Alan Johnson of English Heritage, is gearing up for a busy summer of judging trips across the length and breadth of Britain.

    The official shortlist will be unveiled at 100% Detail on 18th September in London. For further updates and more information please visit www.woodawards.com.

    Photography and images
    High resolution digital images are available from Ruth Williams by calling 020 7738 1900 or emailing ruth.w@thegoodagency.co.uk.

    The Wood Awards 2008
    The Wood Awards aim to recognise, encourage and promote outstanding design and craftsmanship in wood in buildings and furniture made in Britain.

    Sponsors of the Wood Awards 2008 are the American Hardwood Export Council, Carpenters Company, Forestry Commission, wood for good, British Woodworking Federation, English Heritage, The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, Malaysian Timber Council, Timber Trade Federation, TRADA, BRE, ConFor, Historic Scotland, Institute of Carpenters, Institute of Wood Science, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, UKFPA, Western Red Cedar Export Association.

    Full details of all sponsors can be found at www.woodawards.com.

    For press information, please contact:
    Ruth Williams at The Good Agency
    Tel: 020 7738 1900
    Fax: 020 7738 9900
    Email: ruth.w@thegoodagency.co.uk

  2. THE WOOD AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES - DEADLINE 21ST MAY 2008

    The 21st May is the fast approaching deadline for entries for this year’s Wood Awards.

    Organisers of The Wood Awards are urging architects and designers to get their entries in before the May 21st Deadline. This is the UK’s premier architecture and furniture competition celebrating excellence in design in the world’s most sustainable building material.

    Michael Buckley, organiser of the Awards says “We know architects and designers are used to working to tight deadlines and every year we get phone calls to check there is still time. I would urge all potential entrants to go to the website and enter their project as soon as possible”.

    The Awards’ website has also been re-launched with a complete makeover and a range of improvements all focusing on streamlining the entry and payment system - meaning it is now possible to enter the Awards online. The site also shows off the raft of stunning images the Wood Awards receives over the years.

    Broad entry categories are designed to attract every type and size of project in construction, joinery and furniture. With permission from the owner, anyone associated with a qualifying building or furniture project - from timber supplier to designer - can enter the project before the closing date of 21 May 2008. It must have been completed between May 2007 and May 2008 or May 2006 and May 2008 if the project is furniture.
    The list of Wood Awards sponsors includes most of the leading organisations involved in wood marketing and education in the UK including wood. for good, the Forestry Commission, the Carpenters’ Company and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)

    David Venables, European Director of AHEC, highlighted the key role The Wood Awards plays in showcasing the adaptability, aesthetics and sustainability of wood. “The re-launch of the Wood Awards six years ago marked the start of a renaissance for wood. In a world in which designers and architects are increasingly scrutinising the materials they specify and use, wood is coming into its own as the ultimate in beautiful and sustainable materials. We are hoping for some exciting entries and the emergence of some new fresh talent to champion the cause for wood.”

    The categories for entry are Commercial & Public Access, Private, Structural, Conservation/Restoration and Furniture. Additional awards may also be made at the discretion of the judges for a Small Project, any Innovation, or the Best Use of British Timber - all of which are irrespective of category - as well as an Offsite Manufactured Project and a new award for the Best Use of Wood Panel Products. The coveted Gold Award goes to the winner of winners from all the building categories. Entry forms and full Terms and Conditions for entry can be found at www.woodawards.com.

    The full shortlist will be announced and exhibited for the fifth year running at 100% Detail at Earls Court in September and the award winners will be announced at The Wood Awards Party at Carpenters’ Hall in London in October. Winners will be announced at Carpenters’ Hall in October.

    Visit www.woodawards.com for full conditions of entry and entry forms.

    NOTES TO EDITOR:
    The Wood Awards 2008
    The Wood Awards is the premier award for wood in buildings and furniture.

    Sponsors of The Wood Awards 2008 include the American Hardwood Export Council, BRE, British Woodworking Federation, Canada Wood, Carpenters’ Company, ConFor, English Heritage, Forestry Commission, Furniture Makers’ Company, Historic Scotland, Institute of Carpenters, Institute of Wood Science, Malaysian Timber Council, TRADA, Timber Trade Federation, Timber Trades Journal, UKFPA, Western Red Cedar Export Association and wood. for good.

  3. CALLING FOR ENTRIES! - THE UK’S PREMIER AWARDS FOR THE USE OF WOOD IN BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE

    ANNOUNCING THE 2008 WOOD AWARDS
    Issue Date: 11th February 2008

    Organisers of the 2008 Wood Awards are inviting professionals who are working with wood to enter projects now for the 2008 Wood Awards. Entries open this month (March) for what has become the premier awards programme for the use of nature’s most sustainable material. And, at a time when sustainability is increasingly front of mind for designers, architects and specifiers, the Wood Awards could not be more timely.

    Launched in 2003, The Wood Awards have made their mark on the architectural and design world, becoming a mark of excellence’ in wood, with past Gold Winners including leading names such as Glen Howells (for the Savill Building) and Simon Condor (for Pinion’s Barn). Feilden Clegg Bradley picked up the Gold Award in 2007 for the new timber-framed swimming pool complex Formby Pool in Lancashire described by judges as “Transcendental in its calmness and simplicity”. (more…)