A shortlist of just 30 projects have been selected from a record entry of 318 British projects in the Wood Awards 2013, the UK’s premier award scheme celebrating excellence in design in wood.
For the first time ever, with the support of US hardwood promotion campaign the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Wood for Good, which works on behalf of the whole timber industry in the UK, the Bespoke Furniture and Production Made Furniture shortlisted pieces will be exhibited at this year’s 100% Design from 18th to 21st September – the biggest event during the London Design Festival – along with a showcase of the 20 shortlisted architectural projects. Immediately following 100% Design, the Wood Awards shortlist showcase will also be featured at Timber Expo at its new venue, the NEC in Birmingham from 24th to 25th September, where selected projects will also be giving Timber Talks on their shortlisted work.
The Wood Awards is a flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design. This year’s 30-strong shortlist features unique private houses, stunning small projects, outstanding restorations, impressive public buildings and extraordinary bespoke and production-made furniture, ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge.
The independent judging panel of architecture, engineering, craftsmanship and design experts and specialists led by Michael Morrison of Purcell UK and Sean Sutcliffe of Benchmark Furniture are now visiting the shortlist in person before making their final decisions. The winners of the Wood Awards categories and which project will receive the coveted Gold Award – the winner of winners – will be announced on the 19th November at a reception hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.
The shortlisted projects range from Wilkinson Eyre Architect’s Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth featuring Canadian Western red cedar to Atmos Studio’s undulating Roominaroom in London, using birch plywood, European oak and American black walnut, and in the Furniture categories, Angus Ross’s deconstructed Tay Bench in Scottish and European oak is shortlisted alongside a second Atmos Studio project, 16 metres of continuous integrated landscape furniture in Latvian birch plywood with seating for 80 people.
Michael Morrison said, “The diversity of this year’s entries demonstrate the range of flexibility and problem solving which timber brings. This is exciting to see, and the quality of entries this year has made the selection of the shortlist particularly difficult.”
David Hopkins, head of communications and external affairs for major sponsor Wood for Good, said, “Looking through the entries for this year’s Wood Awards, it is hard not to be struck by the impact that the timber industry is having on the face of urban architecture throughout the UK. Timber is carving itself an ever larger niche in the construction market and one factor which is repeated throughout the entries is sustainability. Timber is finally being recognised as a solution to achieving affordable, low-carbon urban development goals.”
The Wood Awards is made possible by the major sponsorship of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Canada Wood, the Carpenters’ Company, TRADA and Wood for Good. Other sponsors include American Softwoods, BRE and the Forestry Commission.
For more information, visit www.woodawards.com. Go to www.100percentdesign.co.uk and www.timber-expo.co.uk to register for free attendance at both events.