Award-winning Wooden Projects from 2022
Reviewing the wonderful projects that we saw last year, we wanted to provide a glimpse into some the possibilities of wood in architecture and design worldwide. Here are a few of the winners from the 2022 Dezeen Awards, where wood was the star of the show.
When talking about awards in architecture, one can appreciate the facades of beautiful architectural works, with avant-garde, sustainable or art-inspired styles, as well as taking into account the materials with which they were made. However, we’re not always given the opportunity to examine unexpected elements in their composition or look into the spaces that interior designers and decorators have created for these architectural works. The Dezeen Awards are a window into 47 different categories that cover architecture and design.
These awards are known for their affordable registration fee, making space for both renowned architecture and design studios as well as small, emerging and independent firms that wish to participate – an opportunity to appreciate and learn from the different perspectives offered by the 2022 Dezeen Awards.
We look forward to seeing the 2023 version, but until then, here are some of the wood projects that won last year:
1. Valle San Nicolás Clubhouse “2022 Hospitality Building of the Year”
This project, developed by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, won over the panel of jurors as a successful example of coexistence between an architectural element and its surroundings.
Mounted on a radially fragmented second floor, the areas that make up the clubhouse are distributed, merging with the lake and allowing for the free flow of its waters underneath the structure, with the roof deck also allowing rainwater to fall into the lake. On the other hand, the interior and exterior corridors allow for free transit between the different sections of the resort, providing amazing 360° views of the surrounding landscape.
The structure was built with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction system. The beams and columns have a radial distribution and are all supported by stone walls that anchor the clubhouse to the bottom of the lake. The interiors are made of materials sourced from the surrounding areas, such as volcanic stones and wood for the terraces.
According to the jury, “this project has a beautiful play of architecture and line of sight, and is very well balanced within the landscape. There is an interesting use of programme within the layout. For a clubhouse that will have many different users, there’s an opportunity to feel part of a collective as well as an individual within the different spaces”.
2. Pingtan Book House “2022 Cultural Building of the Year”
The Pingtan Book House, aside from being a youth meeting space and educational center, is itself a structure that, in its design, brings together traditional customs and practices of this area of China. This is a cultural center entirely for the Dong people, who have seen over the years, how the modernization of life in Pingtan has led to concrete building solutions, leaving aside the native fir tree that has traditionally been part of the local identity.
This is how the Pingtan Book House came to contribute to the legacy of Dong culture. The opportunity to create this library was taken by Condition Lab, following traditional Dong carpentry guidelines, in collaboration with local carpenters and CUHK School of Architecture students, while integrating a participatory process that included the community in the project.
In order for the structure to take on a “living heritage” quality, Dong’s traditional timber-framed “Galan” typology was used, adapting it to a more contemporary design that integrates elements such as staircases and windows. The library is notable for its seemingly never-ending staircase and the walls which are converted into bookshelves. The only material that differs in the construction are the polycarbonate windows that allow natural light into the room.
Regarding this idea that reconnects the Pingtan children with their roots, the judges gave their appreciation: “Complex and simple at the same time, this project shows that you can do more with less. By creating this magic lantern of a house in its urban context, it’s a beacon to attract children to the world of learning and literature”.
3. Mustardseed “2022 Sustainable Building of the Year”
Seeking solutions to the impact of the construction industry on climate change, local workers in Sentema, Uganda developed the award-winning Mustardseed project. The project is characterized by its passive design system, with a focus on ecology and local materials such as stones, straw mats, and eucalyptus branches, among others.
Thanks to the sourcing of materials from within a radius of approximately 2 km from the project, a low production cost was achieved and the carbon footprint was close to zero. As detailed on the Madera 21 website, the project involved conservation agriculture, soil regeneration and forest planting with fast-growing native species, resulting in a unique school with an ecologically focused curriculum.
“Mustardseed is a considered, creative and inspiring kindergarten and primary school set within a biodiverse landscape, the perfect environment for children to learn about the importance of ecology and sustainable building. It demonstrates that innovation doesn’t need to be driven by technology; we need sensible solutions that adopt slow thinking and responsible design. The world needs more projects like this”.
Each of these projects has its own perspective on how to create responsible, collaborative and environmentally friendly architecture, with processes adapted to each context in a sustainable way.
What do you expect to see from the next Dezeen Awards? Have you heard of them or other architecture awards? Let us know if you’d like us to talk about more award-winning projects on our social networks!
