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13 dazzling wood building designs [slideshow]

13 dazzling wood building designs [slideshow]

From bold structural glulam designs to striking textured wall and ceiling schemes, these award-winning building projects showcase the design possibilities using wood. 


By BD+C Staff | March 20, 2014
Designed by Centerbrook Architects and Planners, the Hotchkiss School's new Biom
Designed by Centerbrook Architects and Planners, the Hotchkiss School's new Biom

Different building materials have different benefits, and The National Wood Design Awards aim to highlight the unique benefits of using wood in design and architecture. This year, 140 submissions were sent in to WoodWorks, an initiative of the Wood Products Council. 

“The Wood Design Awards showcase outstanding projects that bring to life wood’s natural beauty and versatility in building design,” said Jennifer Cover, PE, Executive Director of WoodWorks. "The winners exemplify the many ways wood products can be used to create outstanding architecture. These are inspiring projects that demonstrate ingenuity in design or engineering, as well as attributes of wood such as cost effectiveness, sustainability and structural performance." 

National awards were presented in nine categories, and four regional awards will be presented at regional Wood Solutions Fairs. Check out the winners below (also, see BD+C's recap of the 2013 winners). 

 

1. Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

Category: Traditional Use of Wood Design Award
Architect: Mahlum
Structural engineer: PCS Structural Solutions
Building owner: Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
General contractor: Donovan Brothers, Inc.
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider; courtesy WoodWorks
 

Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

Muckleshoot Smokehouse, Auburn, Wash.

 

 

 

2. Federal Center South, Building 1202, Seattle

Category: Commercial Wood Design Award
Architect: ZGF Architects LLP
Structural engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
General contractor: Stellan Constuction
Photo credit: Benjamin Benschneider; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

3. Promega Feynman Center, Madison, Wis.

Category: Innovative Wood Engineering Award
Structural engineer: EwingCole
Architect: Uihlein-Wilson Architects
General contractor: Kraemer Brothers
Photo credit: Aitor Sanchez/EwingCole; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

4. Biomass Heating Plant, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn.

Category: Green Building Wood Design Award
Architect: Centerbrook Architects and Planners 
Structural engineer: DeStafano & Chamberlain 
General contractor: O&G Industries
Photo credit: David Sundberg/Esto; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

5. James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

Category: Institutional Wood Design Award
Architect: GWWO, Inc./Architects
Structural engineer: Faisant Associates
General contractor: Forrester Construction
Photo credit: Robert Creamer Photography/Paul Burk Photography; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

6. Reed College Performing Arts Building, Portland, Ore.

Category: Beauty of Wood Design Award
Architect: Opsis Architecture
Structural engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
General contractor: Hoffman Construction
Photo credit: Christian Columbres Photography; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

7. Bullitt Center, Seattle

Category: Multi-Story Wood Design Award
Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership
Structural engineer: DCI Engineers
General contractor: Schuchart Construction
Photo credit: John Stamets; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

8. Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, Tumalo, Ore. 

Category: Wood School Design Award
Architect: Hennebery Eddy Architects
Structural engineer: Walker Structural Engineering
General contractor: CS Construction
Photo credit: Josh Partee; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

9. Habiframe Tornado Storm Shelter, Memphis, Tenn.

Category: Jury's Choice Wood Design Award
Architect: Habiframe
Structural engineer: Conestoga Rovers Associates
General contractor: Habiframe
Photo credit: Steve Bryan, Habiframe/Mark Richardson, Simpson Strong-Tie; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

10. YMCA Pavilion at Camp Harrison, Boomer, N.C.

Category: Regional Excellence Wood Design Award (Southeast)
Architect: C design Inc.
Structural engineer: Fitzpatrick Engineering
General contractor: David E. Looper & Company
Photo credit: Tim Buchman; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

11. Manhattan Fire House #3, Manhattan, Kan.

Category: Regional Excellence Wood Design Award (North Central)
Architect: Action Pact Design
Structural engineer: BSE Structural Engineers
General contractor: Murray and Sons Construction Co. 
Photo credit: Nicholas Whitney/Action Pact Design; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

12. Advanced Water Purification Facility, Oxnard, Calif.

Category: Regional Excellence Wood Design Award (Southwest)
Architect: Mainstreet Architects + Planners Inc.
Structural engineer: CH2M Hill
General contractor: McCarthy Building Cos.
Photo credit: Michael E. Cabezas, City of Oxnard; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

 

 

13. GSA Office Buildingm, Albuquerque, N.M.

Category: Regional Excellence Wood Design Award (South Central)
Architect: Page
Structural engineer: Walter P. Moore & Associates
General contractor: Enterprise Builders Corporation
Photo credit: Patrick Coulie Photography; courtesy WoodWorks
 

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

James and Anne Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, Md.

 

For more on the 2014 winners, see the WoodWorks design awards gallery

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