An exhibition featuring the 34 shortlisted projects for this year’s Wood Awards will be on show at Gallery@Oxo as part of the Material Matters fair, during London Design Festival.
Lea Bridge Library Pavilion by Studio Weave. Photo © Jim Stephenson
Running from 20 – 23 September 2023, this free exhibition will provide an unmissable opportunity for the public to view exceptional wood-based work from some of the UK’s most talented architects, designers and makers.
Fourteen shortlisted furniture and product items will be exhibited alongside presentations detailing the 20 shortlisted buildings: together demonstrating the possibilities and versatility of timber as a construction material.
From significant public spaces to forward-thinking offices to unique private homes, the displayed building projects provide a snapshot of exemplary and progressive timber architecture from across the UK.
Visitors will also be able to explore the diverse array of materially engaged furniture and products on display. Incorporating endangered heritage techniques, community-led production and innovative problem solving, each piece tells its own story about how wood can transform and enhance our surroundings.
Taking place at the iconic Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s Southbank, the Material Matters fair celebrates the importance of materials and their abilities to shape our lived experience. The Wood Awards – dedicated to celebrating excellence in timber design and making – are delighted to partner with Material Matters to highlight the significant timber design talent in the UK.
Halved Lounge Chair by Jack Allfrey
Corinne Julius, Head of the Furniture and Products Judges says:
“Wood is a wonderful and often underrated, sustainable material. It’s a taken-for-granted material that deserves more respect.
“The Wood Awards are intended to showcase to the public the beauty and versatility of wood and highlight its ability to connect us to the natural world.
“They also aim to inspire the industry, designers, makers, and students to gain a better understanding of wood in its myriad forms in order to create beautiful, intelligent products for an increasingly discriminating public.”
Jim Greaves, Head of the Building Judges says:
“Selected from over 90 entries, this impressive shortlist of buildings reveals the best use of timber in construction today and demonstrates that wood truly is a material of continuous change and innovation.
“Our panel of judges will now visit each shortlisted buildings to determine this year’s winners – and select a stand-out project to receive the prestigious Gold Award.
“This rigorous process is one of the things that makes the Wood Awards the highest accolade in the UK timber industry.”
Live event
Alongside the exhibition, the Wood Awards will be hosting a live talk exploring the role of timber in retrofitting and expanding existing buildings.
‘Wood: How to Retrofit and Reimagine’ will take place on Friday 22 September, 15:00-15:45, Material Matters fair, Bargehouse.
Speakers:
- Kelly Harrison (director, Whitby Wood)
- Andy Heyne (director, Heyne Tillett Steel)
- Brigitte Clements (founder and managing director, LOKI Architecture and Development).
The panel will be hosted by David Hopkins, CEO, Timber Development UK.
To attend this talk, visitors will need to register with Material Matters
As a not-for-profit competition, the Wood Awards can only happen with collaborative industry sponsorship. A huge thank you for continued support from Carpenters Company, American Hardwood Export Council and Timber Development UK.
Find out more information about the shortlist here.
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