World Architecture Festival and PEFC present shortlisted construction projects

22 July 2019 Sustainable construction

A helical tower, a moving kiosk, a ship-shaped home and much more: WAF has chosen the eleven finalists for the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize, supported by PEFC – and we are impressed!

Dedicated to celebrating and sharing outstanding architecture, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) awards architecture prizes in various categories. For the second time, PEFC and WAF teamed up to award the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize to project teams that have used certified timber in an innovative, educational or artistic manner.

To discover each of the eleven projects, stay tuned over the coming weeks. If you can’t wait, here is a brief overview:

2019 projects are rich in shape and form, thanks to wood

39 architects and project teams entered their constructions into the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize.

The entries vary widely in style, purpose and geography, highlighting not only the versatility of timber as a construction material, but also that the enthusiasm for it has spread around the globe.

Projects were entered from 18 countries, from Oceania and Scandinavia, to the Americas, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China.

These buildings display the function, emotion and creativity achievable with wood: from capturing the sunlight in the perfect way, to earthquake resistance and the creation of a warm atmosphere. 

“The shortlisted buildings once again highlight that certified timber is more than just another construction material. With its very particular features, it gives something special to every building,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.

On 6 December 2019, the eleven teams will present their projects to a jury at the WAF in Amsterdam. The jury will then present the winner with the prize at a Gala Dinner that evening.

Sustainable construction with certified timber

All the projects submitted to the prize used certified timber as the principle material in their construction.

With the developments in engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam), it is now possible to build even higher with timber. Timber buildings can be constructed quickly and are fire- and earthquake resistant, making certified timber an ideal construction material for all kinds of buildings.

Photo credits: EFFEKT Arkitekter, Arquitectura Anna Noguera, architecture workshop, iredale pedersen hook architects, LAAB Architects, Integrated Design Associates Ltd, Earthworld Architects, Stanton Williams, Francisco Nogueira, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, ALA Architects