West Fraser launches online architects’ hub
17 February 2022For the past six years, West Fraser (formerly Norbord) has partnered with RIBA Journal to hold an annual competition that challenges architects to use its SterlingOSB Zero product.
With a different brief each year, the competition has been hotly contested by some of the industry’s most creative architectural practices, all vying to win the top prize of £2,500.
The interest from architects in West Fraser products, and the company’s environmental credentials, has led to the development of a specific architect hub on the website https://uk.westfraser.com/resources/architect-support/. The new page details the competition as well as providing tailored information such as CPDs, downloadable product datasheets and BIM objects. The architect can also order product samples.
The 2021 challenge, named “Off Grid 2030”, saw RIBAJ asking entrants to design a family home of no more than 200m² GIA that adheres to the RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge principles. SterlingOSB Zero was to form the mainstay of the material’s palette, and designs had to look at the board’s capabilities, limitations and intrinsic properties. The home could accommodate either single or extended families in urban or rural contexts while attempting to meet the demands of the 2030 Climate Challenge, such as minimal operational energy use and water consumption, non-reliance on fossil fuels, limited waste, and offset residual carbon emissions.
The 2021 winner is Kevin Sulca’s Ventanilla House – a modular solution to the unique challenges of living in Lima, Peru.
