A record number of third level colleges entered this year’s national Student Wood Awards run by Ireland’s Wood Marketing Federation.
Sixteen winning college entries from 10 universities and institutes of technology throughout Ireland – north and south – made it to the national awards, run by the Wood Marketing Federation in association with Wood NI.
The winner of the year’s architecture award was Brendan Joziasse DIT for producing a comparative study on the application of engineered wood products using a community centre in Clongriffin, North Dublin, as an example.
Russell Jacob (GMIT Letterfrack) won the design award using CAD and CAM software in designing complex curvature in timber furniture.
The engineering award was won by Damien Kearns and Joseph Lucid NUI Galway in a project which involved testing and design of glass fibre reinforced polymer rods in laminated timber.
Total prize money is €20,000 and was awarded to category winners and their colleges.
Federation chairman Christy Conway said a new initiative involving the promotion of wood at third level would take place later this year.
“It is envisaged that this joint venture will ensure that wood will be an inherent part of engineering, architectural and design courses with the backing of course lecturers and tutors in third level colleges throughout Ireland,” he said.
