Wood Awards a real showcase for wood

I was delighted to accept the invitation to take over as chairman of the judges for the Wood Awards earlier this year. I come from a practice using more and more timber and I’m pleased to play a part in promoting outstanding design and craftsmanship in wood.

There’s a real need for this kind of promotion and for more education about the applications of wood as a construction material. Designers, engineers and architects are waking up to the benefits and possibilities of timber, but negative perceptions remain. Poorly detailed housing in the 60s and 70s caused some architects to view it as a low grade, insubstantial material. Recent high-profile projects, such as the Welsh Assembly, Scottish parliament and National Trust HQ, are changing perceptions and shifting attitudes. These buildings are powerful, inspirational testaments to the quality and sustainability of wood.

Looking at some of the recent Wood Awards winners, from the stunning L’Arche Cabinet to the King’s Place music venue and contemporary art gallery, the adaptability and beauty of wood are clear.

The idea that timber is an increasing resource still comes as a surprise to some, but forests in Europe and North America are expanding.

The resource is abundant and the choice of species for all kinds of applications is wide. As environmental legislation increases so does the case for timber. With its insulating and embodied energy properties, it can meet the demands of the BREEAM eco rating system and the Code for Sustainable Homes. It’s flexible enough for wall and roof cladding, internal finishes and joinery. It locks up carbon for a lifetime and it looks good.

I hope that this will be another record year for Wood Awards entries. Innovation has been a distinguishing feature of the competition, so I look forward to seeing the submissions and visiting the shortlisted projects around the UK. I’m sure that, with the help of our committed sponsors, the 2010 event will showcase the many qualities of wood as a material for the future.