Lovers of all things timber need look no further - the ultimate selection of this year’s best of the best in wood design has been revealed, in the form of the 2015 Wood Awards. The annual accolades celebrate outstanding craftsmanship and design in the use of the beloved natural material and this year, as ever, competition was fierce.
The winner of winners was The Fishing Hut by Niall McLaughlin Architects, taking away the coveted Arnold Laver Gold Award - as well as being top in the awards’ Private category. Acting as a place for storing boats and fishing gear, as well as a meeting place and shelter for anglers, the hut wowed the judges with its oak timber cladding and structure.
Other champions included the Constellations bar by Howard Miller Design in Liverpool (Commercial & Leisure category); the Arcadia nursery by Maclolm Fraser Architects in Edinburgh (Education and Public sector category); the studio by Bradley van der Straeten Architects in London (Existing Building category); Bryanston School in Dorset by Hopkins Architects (Interiors category); the Observatory, Study and Workshop by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in various locations across the UK (Small Projects); and the Canary Wharf Crossrail station by Foster & Partners in London (Structural).
A Special Award was given to the BSkyB Believe in Better Building education facility by Arup Associates, which reflects its company’s sustainable aspirations; while furniture, bespoke installations and product winners span new and established names, such as the Endgrain project by Raw Edges, Ves-el by Gareth Neal in collaboration with Zaha Hadid, End Grain Stationary by student Simin Qui and Slatted Chair by student Emma Leslie.
Announced during a ceremony in the sublimely crafted main event room of the Carpenter’s Hall in London and hosted by broadcaster and architectural historian, Tom Dyckhoff, this year’s Wood Awards - the 44th of their kind - are here to whet our appetite for true timber excellence.
