News

From more than 200 projects entered, a shortlist of 32 entries has been created which unveils the diverse, creative, and high-quality buildings and furniture being made using the world’s only truly sustainable and renewable material – wood.

Included in the list are some of UK’s leading architects, engineers, product designers and furniture makers, showcasing some of the exciting talent arising from the UK’s domestic timber industry and the wood suppliers who support them.

The Awards are split into two main categories: 'Furniture & Product' and 'Buildings'. Buildings are split by: 'Commercial & Leisure', 'Education & Public', 'Interior', 'Private' and 'Small Project'. Within 'Furniture & Product', there are three subcategories: 'Bespoke', 'Production Made' and 'Student Designer'.

Below are some of the shortlisted entries within both categories:

Buildings – Interiors: 'The Chapel Roof at Radley College'

Architect: Purcell
Client/Owner: Radley College
Species: European Oak (Germany), PEFC
Location: Abingdon

The team at Carpenter Oak used intricate design, complex geometry and traditional craftsmanship to make this handcrafted oak octagonal roof structure.

Buildings – Private: 'The Threshing Barn'

Architect: RJP Architects
Structural Engineer: Paul Molineux Associates
Species: Oak (Europe); softwood featheredged cladding (UK), birch ply (Baltic); woodfibre (Switzerland), PEFC & FSC certified sources
Location: Willesborough, Ashford

A large, Grade II listed 18th century threshing barn, which has been carefully repaired and refurbished with a reliance on traditional skills.

Furniture & Product – Student: 'Oak Desk with Upstand'

Designer/maker: Holly Timmis
College/University: Building Crafts College
Wood Species: European prime oak – FSC‍

Designed with personal use in mind, Holly sought to create a piece, which was unique, practical, and beautiful, while allowing them to explore technical challenges.

Furniture & Product – Production: 'MIgo'

Furniture client & maker: Benchmark
Designer: Pascal Hien
Wood species: American red oak
Location: Kintbury

Conceived during the pandemic, a time of change, uncertainty, and rapid adaption, this furniture piece is designed with no definitive front or back, or right or wrong approach to using it.

Furniture & Product – Bespoke: 'Fenland Black Oak CIO'

Furniture client: Fenland Black Oak Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Designer: Lead designer Mauro Dell’Orco plus many others
Furniture maker: Adamson and Low; Steve Cook Furniture; Mauro Dell’Orco, plus many others
Wood species: Quercus robur (England)
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire

Within the 'Bespoke' subcategory, 'Fenland Black Oak CIO', designed by Mauro Dell’Orco plus many others, was made for the Fenland Black Oak Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Following the discovery of an extraordinary piece of bog oak, 13m long, 5000-year-old planks were cut and crafted into a table that connects ancient forests and local community.

Corinne Julius, Head of the Furniture and Product Judges, says: “The Wood Awards was set up to encourage beautiful and thoughtful designs in wood and this year’s shortlist does just that. We are showcasing some very exciting work by some of the most interesting designers and makers in the UK, both those who are already established and others just starting out.

“Our shortlisted entries manifest how objects thoughtfully designed in wood can shape, enhance and enrich our lives. we're especially pleased that after the hiatus of COVID-19, we can bring back the Student Category, of Awards. The competition was intense and high quality, giving us confidence in the future of design in wood in the UK.

“We're delighted to showcase these furniture pieces during the London Design Festival, very appropriately at Material Matters, to show a wider and more diverse audience the excitement of wood.”

The Wood Awards shortlist will be on display at three locations over the next four months this year, including from 22– 25 September at Gallery@Oxo in partnership with the Material Matters Exhibition during London Design Festival.

During late October until December, there will be a special exhibition at the Building Centre, which showcases the building shortlist with building models and a series of talks. The winner of the Wood Awards will be announced on 23 November during a Winners’ Ceremony at Carpenter’s Hall.

You can find out more information about the shortlist here; previous winners of the Wood Awards can be found here.