The Wood Awards judges selected an exceptional shortlist from a record 348 category entries on Tuesday, 14th June at the Carpenter’s Hall, London. The 30 strong shortlist features unique private houses and stunning small projects, outstanding restorations, splendid public buildings and bespoke furniture ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge, all of which are strong candidates for The Wood Awards’ main categories: Commercial and Public Access, Private & Best Small Project, Structural, Conservation/Restoration and Furniture, and the coveted Gold Award.
Michael Morrison of Purcell Miller Tritton Architects and Chairman of the Judges said, “The shortlisting has been an exciting and complex process this year. The sheer number of projects entered is fantastic, but what really enthused us this year was that this quantity came with excellent quality. The Wood Awards shortlist really is a short list, and there was a lot of heated argument on the way to agreeing our chosen 30 projects. The number of high quality entries we see increases each year but the 2011 Wood Awards competition has seen a significant step-up in not only the number of entries, but also with an impressive standard across the board.”
Over the last nine years, the Wood Awards has established itself as Britain’s premier architecture and furniture competition celebrating excellence in design and craftsmanship using wood. The continuing aim of The Wood Awards is 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. David Venables, European Director of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and a long term sponsor of the Wood Awards said: “The Wood Awards plays a crucial role in promoting the quality of British design in the world’s most sustainable building material and AHEC remains committed to supporting the Wood Awards and its crucial role in raising the awareness of timber. The Wood Awards has a unique ability to showcase the multiple benefits of using wood across a wide range of applications, and this year the entrants have really responded to the energy and dynamism of the Awards. 2011 has to be our best year yet!”
The Wood Awards is supported by a number of leading wood promotion, marketing and education organisations, including the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, the Forestry Commission, TRADA, Wood For Good, American Softwoods, the British Woodworking Federation, the Malaysian Timber Council, Canada Wood, Ontario Wood and the Québec Wood Export Bureau.
The judges will visit the shortlist over the Summer, and the winners will be announced at Timber Expo, a dynamic new event designed held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on the 27th and 28th September 2011, which will offer 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.
The Wood Awards 2011 Shortlist is attached. To view the 2011 Shortlist and the Wood Awards, visit www.woodawards.com.
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Notes to Editors:
High resolution photography of the Wood Awards 2011 shortlist is available.
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The Wood Awards 2011
The Wood Awards is the premier award for wood in buildings and furniture. The winners’ ceremony will be held on 27th September at Timber Expo in Coventry. Sponsors of The Wood Awards 2011 include the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, the Forestry Commission, TRADA, Wood For Good, American Softwoods, the British Woodworking Federation, the Malaysian Timber Council, Canada Wood, Ontario Wood and the Québec Wood Export Bureau.
Full details of all sponsors and information on The Wood Awards can be found at
www.woodawards.com. Find ‘Wood Awards’ on Twitter @woodawards, Facebook, and LinkedIn.