TRADA is expanding its role in the Wood Awards by managing the call for entries for this year’s event.

The awards, a flagship event recognising outstanding use of wood in architecture and craftsmanship, has already switched the presentation ceremony from London to TRADA’s Timber Expo event in Coventry.

The 2011 Wood Awards will be launched at the Building Centre on March 24 with a call for entries and evening discussion exploring the timber technologies used for previous Gold Award winners – the Savill Building and the Weald & Downland Gridshell.

“To combine the Wood Awards with Timber Expo is part of a revitalisation which will create a lasting showcase for timber,” said Rupert Scott, TRADA membership and marketing manager.

The Savill Building and the Weald & Downland Gridshell were designed by Glenn Howells Architects and Edward Cullinan Architects respectively and engineered by Professor Richard Harris of the University of Bath (formerly with Buro Happold) and constructed by Green Oak Carpentry.

The project teams will compare and contrast the buildings at the launch event. Chairing the discussion will be Hugh Pearman, editor of RIBA Journal.

To book a space at the event, which is free and followed by a drinks reception, visit www.buildingcentre.co.uk/events