NEW SPECIAL AWARD RECOGNISES UNSUNG WOOD PRODUCT HEROES

24th July 2008 - The Wood Awards 2008

Since its launch in 2002, entries into the Wood Awards have used all types of wood products, from sumptuous hardwood paneling and awe inspiring softwood structures, to a vast range of engineered wood panel products fundamental to many timber oriented projects. In acknowledgement of this last group of wood products, this year the organiser of the UK's premier awards for the use of wood in buildings and furniture, Michael Buckley, recommended the introduction of a new Special Award, “Best Use of Wood Panel Products” in recognition of the increasing importance of materials such as MDF, OSB, plywood and particle board; the unsung heroes of today's sustainability conscious design and construction sectors.

The new special award joins the esteemed company of the Small Project Award, Innovation, Best Use of British Timber and Best Offsite Manufactured Project, for which the judges look to give special recognition for particularly outstanding work.

For Geoff Rhodes, specialist in the wood panel product sector, former president of the Timber Trade Federation and marketing and business development director of Coillte Panel Products (manufacturers of Medite and SmartPly), the move marks an important step forward for a burgeoning industry which, through significant capital investment in new technology and innovation, is confirming its place in 21st century construction around the world.

“High tech engineered panel products provide the choice, adaptability and flexibility that architects and specifiers are looking for” says Geoff Rhodes. “In an increasingly ‘tick box' world they satisfy all the requirements of sustainability that modern methods of construction, as laid down in the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Green Guide, require. Creative use of veneers and treatments mean that their practical qualities are well matched with the visual impact and aesthetics you would expect from wood.”

Nearly a quarter of this year's Wood Awards entries use wood panel products, a fact that Geoff Rhodes finds encouraging. He says: “This special recognition is a great way to improve the understanding of wood panel products and to showcase their adaptability and quality. There is a wonderful range of entries to do just that, including Gareth Hoskins' Culloden Battlefield Visitors' Centre in Scotland and the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. The latter is a particularly fine example with European Oak veneers bonded onto a variety of wood based panel substrates, specified for their strength, stability and robustness by architects Wright & Wright”.

This project demonstrates the aesthetically sound blending of solid wood and veneered panels. European Oak was the species of choice, in keeping with the history of a college that was founded over 600 years ago. Veneered panels, matched for colour, figure and appearance to tie in with the solid oak were used across the project, for walls, work station separators and casings around the heating elements to deliver a superb quality design solution in a high profile and world renowned location.

Says Geoff Rhodes: “This is a wonderful example of an architect choosing veneered panels as absolutely ‘fit for purpose'; they are uniquely suited for particular applications throughout the project. Specification such as this confirms the place of wood panel products in design solutions for which aesthetic qualities are absolutely fundamental.”

Coillte Panel Products sponsors the new Wood Awards website (www.woodawards.com) in 2008, helping the Awards develop the online entry system which was launched this year.

First phase judging was completed at the end of May and the shortlist will be unveiled at 100% Detail at Earl's Court in September. Winners will be announced at the Wood Awards Party at Carpenters' Hall in London on 15 October.