NEWS
Contour House was chosen as the Private winner . The judges said , “ The workmanship displayed is quite exceptional . The project is extremely ambitious and has been realised very successfully . It has been delivered with conviction .”
Meanwhile , the TWIST was selected as the Small Project winner as judges said it showed “ an interesting new direction for timber , demonstrating the possibilities of using wood in a very beautiful and efficient way ”.
The TWIST was developed by the Emergent Technologies and Design Programme at the Architectural Association School of Architecture – in conjunction with TRADA – for Timber Expo 2015 . The project sought to exploit the anisotropic properties to gain full control of the bending and twisting behaviour of plywood .
After discontinuing the Existing Buildings category in 2015 , the judges felt that the repair and adaptive reuse projects were so strong this year that they decided to reinstate it as an award . This award was given to Ansty Plum for the sensitivity shown to the existing architecture .
Pantori was chosen as the Bespoke winner in the Furniture and Product competition . The judges praised how this project makes bespoke furniture accessible . “ It is so rare to see this kind of work in a public space ,” they said .
In the Production Made category , so impressed were the judges by the standard of entries that they selected two winners ! One was the Planks Collection , which they said , “ expresses the integrity of the material , using it in the most effective way and bringing rationality to its design .” The other winner is the Stretch Extending Dining Table . The judges were impressed by the way the design pushes the material and by this elegant solution to a common problem .
In the Student Design category , prizes of £ 1 000 ( about R17 400 ) and £ 500 ( about R8 700 ) were up for grabs for the overall winner and people ’ s choice respectively . Geometry was chosen as the winner , of which the judges said , “ This table has its own definite aesthetic . It is solid and it works , using a system that does not involve any screws . It is a robust piece of furniture .”
The other Student Design award , People ’ s Choice , was won by the Velo Chair . This award was decided by the public , who were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite student design on twitter throughout the summer and the London Design Festival .
This year , the Wood Awards ’ building judges shortlisted 20 projects across the country . Chaired by Michael Morrison , the panel consisted of Andrew Lawrence , John Wilkie , Jim Greaves , Hugh Pearman , Nathan Wheatley , Ruth Slavid and past Arnold Laver Gold Award winners Adam Richards and David Morley .
The furniture and product judges shortlisted 12 pieces . The specialist panel was led by Max Fraser and included Katie Walker , Corinne Julius , John Makepeace , Rod Wales and Ruth Aram .
As a not-for-profit competition , the Wood Awards can only happen with collaborative industry sponsorship . Arnold Laver sponsor the Arnold Laver Gold Award . Major Sponsors are American Hardwood Export Council , Carpenters ’ Company , Wood for Good and TRADA . Other sponsors include American Softwoods , British Woodworking Federation , Forestry Commission , Furniture Makers ’ Company , Party Ingredients , Timber Trade Federation and 100 % Design .
TRADA recently unveiled a new category of membership for designers / makers of bespoke work with five or less staff . Read more about how TRADA membership can benefit your business , download an application form or contact membership @ trada . co . uk .
DO YOU HAVE A GREAT PROJECT OR STORY TO SHARE WITH READERS ?
Send your article and high resolution images to ilana @ interactmedia . co . za or call + 27 ( 11 ) 579 4940 for more information .
PRINT . DIGITAL . ONLINE . EXHIBITIONS . CONFERENCES .
When measurement matters
CONTACT US : 0861 727 663 www . interactmedia . co . za
// FEB / MARCH 2017 13