“The awards are not just about finding the building that comprises of the most timber or looks the prettiest; it’s about rewarding good design, innovative use of timber and the development of new markets for timber use. Therefore expect the unexpected.”
And with those opening remarks, MC Michael Zorbas set the tone for the night; a night of thrills, spills and breathtaking design as the Australian Timber Industry celebrated the 19th instalment of the Australian Timber Design Awards at ‘The Star Pyrmont’ in Sydney.
With 23 awarded categories in the offering honours were shared by entrants from New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia showcasing timber applications across Australia. The Timber Design Awards national footprint continues to grow with entries received from applicants far and wide
‘The competition was fierce, with finalists across all categories worthy of congratulations’ according to Judge Jonathon Evans – high praise from a judge well versed in the awards history. Through his association with Tzannes, Lend Lease’s ‘International House’ was judged the winner of the 2017 Australian Timber Awards.
To the evening’s first award, where Maddison Architects All Hands Brewing House was successfully awarded the Responsible Wood sponsored Australian Certified Timber award.
The Australian Certified Timber award acknowledges projects where Australian timber is used and where credentials for sustainability and legality of the wood are confirmed at the source by certification.
In the case of the All Hands Brewing House, Responsible Wood certified Vic Ash Good Wood and Big River Armourply featured prominently throughout the project.
Reaffirming advantages of certified timbers Maddison Architects Drew Carling acknowledged its consistency in quality and aesthetic; important features that were instrumental in delivering project outcomes.
Responsible Wood certification was carried by the majority of entrants and according to the Responsible Wood Marketing and Communications Officer, Jason Ross, provides the ultimate ‘stamp of approval’ for Australian grown timber from a sustainable source.
Of note and underlying changes within the industry landscape, the Australian Timber Design awards received a marked increase in applicants for the commercial oriented award categories.
MC Michael Zorbas, the Group Executive, Policy & Advocacy for the Property Council of Australia remarked that the greater take-up in the commercial award categories was indicative of an increased demand for applied timber within the commercial sector.
Engineered timbers such as Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) are at the forefront of the timber revival with Responsible Wood scheme holders Hyne Timber and Wesbeam leading the charge in the evolving landscape.
Responsible Wood is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that promotes sustainable forest management through the development of standards for forests and the products that come from them. These standards are accredited by Standards Australia and include 4708 (Forest Management) and 4707 (Chain of Custody). The Responsible Wood logo bears a commitment to both Australian made and environmental sustainability through forest management, product and distribution of Responsible Wood member’s engineered timber products.
Jason Ross (left) presented Drew Carling (right) with the 2018 TDA Australian Certified Timber award
