Announcing the winner at the Wood Awards ceremony at Carpenters’ Hall, London, last night, judges chairman Michael Morrison described the chapel as a "glorious building" which provided a "serene space".
The judges were so impressed by the building, which also won the Structural category, that the decision to award the top honour was unanimous.
Designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects, the chapel features spruce and European oak glulam, and European oak and American ash joinery. Last week it won the Award for Community or Residental Structures in the Institution of Structural Engineers’ Structural Awards.
The Canadian Douglas fir-rich Colyer-Fergusson Building in Canterbury won the Commercal & Public Access Award, while Blackpool’s cross-laminated timber Festival House, popularly known as the "Tower of Love", was highly commended.
Church Walk, four timber-framed and clad homes in Hackney, designed by David Mikhail Architects, won the Private category. Trewarren, a timber-framed house by John Pardey Architects, featurg iroko and Canadian western red cedar, was highly commended.
The Small Project Award went to Atmos Studios’ Roominaroom, which the judges described as "an intriguing example of contemporary living". The cross-laminated timber Alex Monroe Studio, London, designed by DSDHA, was highly commended.
The reburbishment of Magheralin Parish Church, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, won the Repair & Adaptive Reuse category. The judges described the renovation as "intelligent and commendable work".
In the furniture categories, Pengelly Design’s Theo Chair, made from Hungarian oak and beech, won the award for Production-made Furniture, while Otter Surfboards’ macrocarpa board was highly commended.
The Bespoke Furniture Award went to EJ Bespoke Furniture for Ripples, a 12-drawer cabinet made from European ash, American black walnut and cedar of Lebanon.
For more on the Wood Awards, see the next issue of TTJ.
