Wood Awards 2020

Last update 30 July 2020: Closing date for Wood Awards Ireland has now been extended until 2 September. 

The Wood Marketing Federation thanks all those who have entered projects  for Wood  Awards Ireland 2020 (WAI 2020).  Following requests, the organisers wish to remind those who have yet to enter that the closing date has now been extended to Wednesday, 2 September. This schedule will allow judging to take place during September.

Projects are invited from registered architects, designers, engineers and other specialists working in wood. While wood needs to be an inherent medium in construction and design projects, entries are accepted where wood is combined with other materials. Sustainable timber sourcing and usage is a key element of the project with emphasis on energy efficiency. Wood can be used in sawn form, engineered or in composite structures providing the timber has been sourced in sustainably managed forests and conforms to the EU Timber Regulation. Entries are accepted in the following  categories: 

Award Categories 

Entries are accepted in eight categories listed on the WMF website.

• A. Large-scale public buildings: Emphasis on wood as a structural component. Located in Ireland or abroad but with major Irish architectural input by a Registered Architect MRIAI/ RSUA Member.
• B. Small-scale private buildings by a Registered Architect MRIAI / RSUA Member.
• C. International award - best overseas project by a Registered Architect MRIAI, Engineer or Designer (all categories), RSUA Member.
• D. Restoration and conservation - large and small scale construction and furniture.
• E. Furniture: a) bespoke; and/or b) production.
• F. Innovation and research. Included functional and non-functional work: Wood Local (local sourcing, processing and making); Wood Innovate (creative, sculptural, conceptual);  c) Wood Work (craft and related woodwork). Also research, d) Wood Research (research into new uses for wood and educational projects).
• G. Newcomer award: Wood based start-up businesses, established since 2015.
• H. Student Wood Awards - entries accepted from third level colleges in all categories. 

Project completed since August 2016 are eligible. Organised by the Wood Marketing Federation and supported by The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Coillte and Enterprise Ireland, WAI2020  promotes wood as a sustainable material in innovative projects both in  Ireland and overseas with input by Irish practitioners. 

Judging panel will be chaired by Ciaran O'Connor, State Architect and President, RIAI. Judges plan to visit the projects subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

WAI 2020 category awards and overall award are designed and made by Michael Warren, Ireland's leading sculptor and honorary member RIAI. These are magnificent pieces of original contemporary sculptures in their own right.  

How to enter 

Project completed since August 2016 are eligible. Organised by the  Wood Marketing Federation and supported by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Coillte and Enterprise Ireland, WAI2020 promotes wood as a sustainable material in innovative projects both in  Ireland and overseas with input by Irish practitioners.

Judging panel will be chaired by Ciaran O'Connor, State Architect and President, RIAI. Judges plan to visit the projects subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

WAI 2020 category awards and overall award are designed and made by Michael Warren, Ireland's leading sculptor and honorary member RIAI. These are magnificent pieces of original contemporary sculptures in their own right. 

Completed application forms, photographs, drawings and other relevant information should be emailed to info@wood.ie – attachments,  Dropbox and Wetransfer  accepted.

Please note that A1 posters can now be dropped in to RIAI HQ in 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Download the information and application forms here. 

For further information visit www.wood.ie websites, send us an email at info@wood.ie, or  call M: +353 (0) 86 2607883.