“Best Use of Certified Timber” – PEFC and WAF continue partnership

17 February 2020 Sustainable construction

Are you an architect or part of a project team that has recognised the many benefits of timber as a construction material? Did you choose certified timber as the main material for your construction project? Then make sure to enter the project for the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize at the World Architecture Festival (WAF)!

For the third year in succession, PEFC is sponsoring the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize, rewarding architects and project teams for using certified timber as the main construction material for buildings outstanding in sustainability, innovation, quality or aesthetics.

After a successful 2018, we were happy to see even more interest in the prize in 2019.

“In the two years’ dialogue with renowned architects at WAF, we have noticed an increasing interest in sustainable timber. Some architects even say it’s 'the only way forward'," said Fabienne Sinclair, Head of Marketing at PEFC International. "We are pleased to contribute to making both forests and construction more sustainable.”

39 architects from 18 countries entered their projects into the prize in 2019.

A locally rooted winning project

After hearing presentations from the shortlisted architects, the jury, consisting of Mark Thomson from Eco Effective Solutions, Keith Bradley from Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Jonathan Coote from Warren & Mahoney and Hattie Hartman from Architects’ Journal, announced the winner at a Gala Dinner for over 1,000 guests.

The prize went to the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre (PRACC) in Western Australia, designed by iredale pedersen hook architects and Advanced Timber Concepts Studio. The jury commended the authentic use of sustainable timber in the project which had been well-received by the local community.

How to enter?

All projects entered for any of the 18 ‘Completed Buildings’ award categories are eligible for the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize. Under Additional Project Prizes, at the end, simply check the box next to "Please consider me for Best Use of Certified Timber Prize".

Please remember that the use of certified wood is a precondition for entering the prize. During the submission process, you will be asked to provide details on the percentage of PEFC-certified material used on your project. To get started, head to the WAF website!

Due to the impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic, EMAP the organisers of the World Architecture Festival, have decided to postpone the event until 23 - 25 June 2021. However, the event will still be held in at the FIL exhibition centre in Lisbon, Portugal.

Please note that the awards deadline for entry has consequently been extended to 8 January 2021.  All completed buildings up to that date, which have used certified wood, may be entered for the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize. Start your submission now!

Designing the Future with Sustainable Timber

Under the theme Designing the Future with Sustainable Timber, we have brought together a range of stakeholders to promote the use of certified wood in construction.

While other construction materials emit large amounts of carbon, wood stores it. This makes it the only renewable building material available on a large scale. PEFC-certified timber comes from a PEFC-certified forest – a forest managed sustainably in line with strict international requirements.

Also in the third year of the campaign, we are looking forward to working with architects, designers and construction teams around the world and see more fantastic buildings from sustainably managed forests.

Join us! Contact us at fabienne.sinclair@pefc.org