Wood’s strong showing in international architecture awards

Winners were selected from over a thousand entries from more than 60 countries. This year the winner’s gala presentation took place at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

“We believe great architecture is about creating a lasting design that will remain for generations while inspiring people and enriching their lives,” said David Teravagimov, AMP’s programme director.

One of the top overall winners was The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon Iceland by Basalt Architects, entered in the Architectural Design of the Year. Extensive use of wood cladding and decking features in the development.

A prize winner in the Interior Design / Retail Lead category was National Museum of Qatar Gift Shops in Doha, a stunning piece of timber interior work designed by architect Koichi Takada.

Using 3D modelling software, the shops are a three-dimensional puzzle, comprising 40,000 individual wooden pieces. Each is unique, fitting only with its corresponding piece and were assembled by hand on-site.

Meanwhile, the Lisbon Wood Building was a winner in two categories – Mixed- use Architecture and Restoration & Renovation. Wood is described as the hallmark of the building and is used extensively in the cladding of facades.

The Architecture MasterPrize was assembled by the Farmani Group as the sister initiative of the IDA International Design Awards, that has been recognising and celebrating smart and sustainable multidisciplinary design since 2007.