The buildings shortlist includes the new Middle Drawbridge at the Tower of London, built by GMT Timber Frame; the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – an indoor Jacobean theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe, by McCurdy & Co; The Moor Market in Sheffield, by Leslie Jones Architecture, with B&K Structures; and the Endless Stair by dRMM Architects.
"The Wood Awards continually demonstrates the creation of spaces that have the functionality to adapt to changing conditions and the aesthetics to appeal to a savvy, globalised population," said Dave Hopkins, head of communications and external affairs for Wood Awards major sponsor, Wood for Good.
The Commercial & Public Access category features some iconic buildings this year.
The Moor Market, for example, is a super-contemporary purpose-built market featuring a western red cedar "timber weave" rainscreen cladding and European spruce glulam.
The 73,000ft2 building was commissioned by Sheffield City Council, which wanted a new landmark building for the city centre to act as a catalyst for future regeneration of the city’s retail and leisure offering.
Early on in the planning process timber was identified as the right material to bring "the cherished market feel" to the new building, while the juxtaposition of metal elements within the building brought it bang up to date.
WWF-UK’s new headquarters – the Living Planet Centre – are also shortlisted in the Commercial and Public Access category. Designed by Hopkins Architects, the "ultra-green" building features a spruce glulam gridshell, larch external louvres and birch plywood ceiling panels, interior wall panels, interior joinery and cabinets.
Timber was chosen for its structural and sustainable properties as well as its aesthetics, said the architect.
Endless Stair, a major feature of last year’s London Design Festival, is shortlisted in the Small Project category. Designed by dRMM Architects, the structure uses new developments in cross-laminated hardwood to create a unique structure from American tulipwood.
The Bespoke and Production-Made Furniture shortlisted projects will be exhibited on the Wood Awards stand at this year’s 100% Design show – the biggest event during the London Design Festival in September.
The pieces on show will include Shawstephens’s Harrison Table, a side table made from both solid and burr veneer English walnut; NHMK Co’s American ash and American walnut Folded Chair; Fowler and Co’s Hat Tree, made from laminated, steamed beech from Turkey; and Sebastian Cox Furniture’s Ten Species Tallboy, which is an homage to British hardwoods.
The Wood Awards judges, who include architects, engineers, designers and craftsmen, will now travel the length and breadth of the UK to visit the shortlisted projects before making their final decision.
The winners and the recipient of the Wood Awards Arnold Laver Gold Award for the "winner of winners", will be announced at a ceremony at Carpenters’ Hall in London on November 18.
