Best Use of Certified Timber Prize – winner announced!

12 December 2019 Sustainable construction

The wait has come to an end. On 6 December, the jury of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) awarded the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize, supported by PEFC.

At a gala dinner with over 1,000 attendees, Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre (PRACC) by iredale pedersen hook architects and Advanced Timber Concepts was announced as the winner.

“We are delighted to receive this prize, which recognises the use of sustainable timber as a key material for a building which lies at the heart of the local Pingelly community,” said Patrick Beale from Advanced Timber Concepts.

Before the award ceremony, the eleven shortlisted teams had presented their projects to the jury, consisting of Mark Thomson from Eco Effective Solutions, Keith Bradley from Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Jonathan Coote from Warren & Mahoney and Hattie Hartman from Architects’ Journal.

Sustainability, Durability, Inclusivity

The winning building overlooks the small town of Pingelly in Western Australia, and serves as a meeting point for the local community. It consists of four pavilions linked by a long veranda. The pavilions contain a sports hall, event spaces, bars, a community kitchen, a cultural centre and a bowls club, welcoming visitors to sports events, music performances and social gatherings.

The community is made up of 12% First Nation people and is the proud home of the Pingelly Tigers – the first all-Aboriginal Australian Rules Football team which was formed in the 1960s.

Certified timber is in the spotlight throughout the building. Hardwood was used in flooring, decking, cladding and panelling.

“It is always amazing to see how architects and building designers use certified timber to create remarkable buildings for people to live, work and experience,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.

“It demonstrates to those supplying wood from certified forests around the globe what can be achieved with the marvellous raw material they supply.”

“This recognition will give clients confidence that timber is a valuable and incredible material to use. Confidence is growing in the use of timber in Australia. We will share the prize with the local community,” said Adrian Iredale, from iredale pedersen hook.

In addition to the winning project, the jury honoured Turó de la Peira’s Sports Centre by Arquitectura Anna Noguera with a highly commended prize. The project consists of a swimming pool and a sports court, and has a warm and inviting atmosphere thanks to the use of wood.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that Mr Pasquale Lorusso from edgearch.pro in Rome won our drone competition draw, which took place on the PEFC stand at WAF.

The Best Use of Certified Timber Prize – supported by PEFC

PEFC and WAF awarded the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize for the second time this year.

The prize recognises architects and project teams for their use of certified timber as a main construction material for buildings outstanding in sustainability, innovation, quality or aesthetics.

39 architects and project teams from 18 countries entered their constructions into this year’s prize.

Photo credits: World Architecture Festival, Peter Bennetts