Wood Awards 2016 Winners Announced
Maggie’s at the Robert Parfett Centre
The winners of the 45th annual Wood Awards: Excellence in British Architecture & Product Design were announced by design journalist and editor of Crafts magazine, Grant Gibson, on the 22nd November at Carpenters’ Hall.
Maggie’s at the Robert Parfett Building by Foster + Partners, was awarded the Arnold Laver Gold Award, the winner of winners, as well as the Structural Award. The centre provides a place of refuge where people affected by cancer can find emotional and practical support. The design establishes a domestic atmosphere in a garden setting with a greenhouse and a veranda. The judges commented that the remarkable structure “has brought together the best in engineering, fabrication and architecture”.
The judges chose Stihl Treetop Walkway by Glenn Howells Architects as the Commercial & Leisure winner as it has the ability to inspire all to learn more about wood. The Walkway provides views over Grade I listed Westonbirt Arboretum, home to one of the finest tree collections in the world.
The judges selected Stanbrook Abbey by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as the Education & Public Sector category winner as it is spiritually uplifting and sculptural within the landscape. The detailing on the furniture pieces in the church is superb.
The Portledge Rear Staircase by Witcher Crawford Architects and Designers was announced as the Interiors winner. The new rear staircase is designed as a distinct contemporary insertion into the old Medieval service wing of Portledge House, a Grade II* listed Manor House in north Devon.
Contour House by Sanei Hopkins Architects 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.”
The TWIST, developed by the Emergent Technologies and Design Programme at the Architectural Association School of Architecture for Timber Expo 2015, was selected as the Small Project winner. The project sought to gain full control of the bending and twisting behaviour of plywood and shows an interesting new direction for timber.
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. The Award was given to Ansty Plum by Coppin Dockray for the sensitivity shown to the existing architecture.
Pantori, a freestanding pantry larder, created for Japanese crepe eatery, Nojō, was chosen as the Bespoke winner in the Furniture & Product competition. The judges praised how this project makes bespoke furniture accessible. Pantori was designed by Steph Leake, an intern at Jack Badger Ltd.
The judges were so heartened by the quality of this year’s Production Made pieces that two projects won. Planks Collection, designed by Max Lamb and made by Benchmark, expresses the integrity of the material, using it in the most effective way and bringing rationality to its design. The other, equally placed, winner was the Stretch Extending Dining Table by Pengelly Design. The judges were impressed by the way the design pushes the material, and by this elegant solution to a common problem.
Within the Student Designer category there were two cash prizes; £1,000 for winner and £500 for people’s choice. Geometry by Michael Stevenson at the Building Crafts College was chosen as the winner of the Student Designer category while Velo Chair by Jan Waterston at Rycotewood Furniture Centre won the People’s Choice Award.
Wood Awards ceremony 2016
Further information about the winning projects can be found on the Wood Awards website.
