Though the gala event for the 2020 Timber Design Awards, scheduled for 26 March, was cancelled due restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NZ Wood has still announced the winners for the 2020 programme. The NZ Wood-Resene Timber Design Awards have been celebrating innovation and excellence with timber in the commercial and residential sectors for 45 years.

This year’s Supreme winner was “Outaspace”, an Auckland home by TOA Architects, which judges praised as showcasing timber for not only its warmth but also its ability to provide structural strength and thermal mass.

This year’s Awards were judged by a panel including New Zealand Institute of Architects’ president Tim Melville, New Zealand Timber Design Society president David Carradine, sustainable architect at Scion Andrea Stocchero, and NZ Wood Design Guides’ manager Andy van Houtte.

Judges noted, “The range and innovation demonstrated by entries increases every time and this year, with new and revised categories, these qualities have been in evidence even more.” Overall, winners and commended projects were named in 11 categories, including a new Sustainable Development Award for 2020. 

See a full list of winning and commended projects below:

Resene Supreme Award

Winner – Tuarangi Rd ‘Outaspace’ by TOA Architects

Judges said, “This impressive integration of timber material with manufacturing precision shows designers what can be done with modern timber materials if they are not afraid to try something new.”

Highly commended – Lindis Lodge by Architecture Workshop 

Residential Design Award – Sponsored by Futurebuild

Winner – Tuarangi Rd ‘Outaspace’ by TOA Architects

Highly commended – Arvida Living Well by Jasmax

Commercial Design Award – Sponsored by TimberLab

Winner – Botany Toyota by Woodhams Meikle Zhan Architects and Blueprint Consulting Engineers 

Judges noted, “Timber products were chosen for their ability to enhance both the workplace and visitor experience. The portal frame structure is practical, simple and elegant and demonstrates the flexibility of engineered timber.”

Joint Highly commended – Auckland Zoo Administration Building by Ignite Architects and Haus Espresso by Dalman Architects 

Public Design Award – Sponsored by XLam

Winner – St Patrick’s Church by WSP Opus

Judges commented, “This sensitive design references traditional church architecture, helping to preserve the memory of the building it’s replaced. The 3D timber roof and column support system contrasts with the precast concrete base walls and the repurposed timber altar and pews.”

Highly commended – Star Mountain Plaza by Kirk Roberts Consulting

Interior Design Award – Sponsored by Woodspan

Winner – National Library Auditorium by Warren & Mahoney

“Taiwhanga Kauhau is designed to be an ‘instrument for the voice,’ and it plays with light and darkness as much as with sound and silence. Wood’s unique properties create a fascinating space in which to observe performances and presentations,” jury members noted.

Highly commended – Lara Lane by Box Build Ltd

Exterior Structure Design Award – Sponsored by Forest Stewardship Council

Winner – Saltwater Creek Cycleway Bridge by Jerram Tocker Barron Architects

Judges said, “The designers’ material choice and component synthesis ensure the result is a beautiful and long-lasting structure. The angular timber slats reference a waka hull, and evoke a real sense of movement.”

Highly commended – Supernormal play structure by Andrew Barrie Lab, Heyman Lu and Matt Liggins Studio

Student Design Award – Sponsored by Juken New Zealand

Winner – Te Whare Wānanga o Nga Mahi Auaha by Adam Clark, Victoria University of Wellington

The jury noted, “Strong conceptual thinking has been developed into an adventurous, well considered building which explores the connection between land, sea, sky and Wellington’s taniwha. Timber use has developed interesting interior and exterior experiences for visitors and users of the building.”

Highly commended – The Vakas of the Great Fleet by Dorian Viliamu, University of Auckland

NZ Specialty Timber Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Farm Forestry Association

Winner – Ron Ball Studio, CSO Centre, Christchurch Town Hall by Warren & Mahoney

“The rich warmth of Southland Beech coupled with the acoustic wall detailing makes the Ron Ball Studio a unique space. The design merges acoustic engineering and architecture to create an intimate shrine to music people will be reluctant to leave,” the jury commented.

Highly commended – Rimu floor, James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall by Timbers of New Zealand

Sustainable Development Award – Sponsored by Scion

Winner – Boat Shed by Christchurch City Council

Judges noted, “This NZ Green Building Council 9 star Homestar building proves sustainability is achievable. This project pioneers the use of wood fibre insulation (WFI) in New Zealand, which has been applied to the exterior of the CLT structure for an optimised hygrothermal (heat and moisture flows) performance.”

Highly commended – Arvida Living Well by Jasmax

Engineering Innovation Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Timber Design Society

Winner – Lindis Lodge by Architecture Workshop

The jury said, “A high level of collaboration, knowledge blending, and ingenuity have achieved efficient and effective structural solutions. Screw-laminated spotted gum forms a hybrid gridshell in unison with the steel beams, forming the topographic curves of the roof.”

Highly commended – Waihinga Martinborough Community Centre by Holmes Consulting

Wood & Fibre Products & Technology Innovation Award – Sponsored by PEFC

Winner – Smith house roof by Potius Building Systems Ltd

The jury commented, “A simple and effective prefabricated building system was used for a complex roof design that was originally designed in concrete. The timber-based components meant a system that met the needs of the building and permitted rapid construction could be developed.”

Highly commended – Ultra-strong, transparent flexible wood by Scion Research 

Engineered Wood Products Innovation Award – Sponsored by Nelson Pine

Winner – Concision house by Concision Panelised Technology

“The designers exhibited a comprehensive understanding of where engineered wood products can be used to maximise their efficiency and potential. This enabled a remarkable speed of manufacturing and on-site assembly, combined with high quality control,” the jury said.

Highly commended – Farmers Corner Pavilion by PTL Consultants, Architype, Quaid Construction, Techlam NZ

See full coverage, imagery and jury comment about all the winning and highly commended projects for 2020 at nzwood.co.nz.