Irish architects, designers and engineers enter projects for Wood Awards Ireland 2024

Wood Awards Ireland 2024 (WAI 24) invites RIAI Registered Architects, engineers, designers, researchers  and wood workers to submit projects that feature wood as an inherent medium in construction and design project. Organised by Forest Industries Ireland (FII) in association with the RIAI the awards promote wood as a sustainable material in innovative projects in Ireland and overseas.

"This is the 10th anniversary of the competition and to mark the occasion, there is no entry charge this year," said Donal Magner, WAI 24 project manager. "We are delighted to have been associated with this award since its inception and encourage registered architect to enter the projects in the large- and small-scale categories," said Dr. Sandra O'Connell, Director of Architecture and communications at the RIAI 

"Sustainable timber sourcing and usage is a key element of the project with emphasis on energy efficiency," said Des O'Toole, marketing and communications director FII. "Wood can be used in sawn form, engineered or in composite structures providing the timber has been sourced in sustainably managed forests and conforms to the EU Timber Regulation."

Entries are accepted in the following categories: 
•    Large-scale public buildings: Emphasis on wood as a structural component
•    Small-scale private buildings
•    International award – best overseas project
•    Restoration and conservation 
•    Furniture – both bespoke and production
•    Innovation – functional and non-functional projects including craft, sculpture or other forms. Projects can be localised or national to include research and new uses for wood

The judges chaired by Ciaran O'Connor, State Architect may present a special award for an entry – or entries – that showcase the best in wood design but does not fit into the above categories.

Submissions to WAI 24 are welcome from Irish and overseas based practitioners who complete work for domestic and international markets.  An overall award will be presented for the outstanding WAI project while awards will also be presented for category winners. 

Construction projects must be in compliance with the Building Regulations and designed by architects who are registered MRIAI or RSUA members. Timber, can be used with other materials but should be the inherent material in projects and  must be sourced in sustainably managed forests and conform to the EU Timber Regulation (No 995/2010). 

In addition to FII and the RIAI, the awards received generous sponsorship from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and  Design & Crafts Council Ireland. Awards are designed by sculptor Michael Warren, Honorary Member RIAI. 

Eligible projects need to be completed during the period 1 August 2021 and 31 August 2024.

How to enter

One application form per entry (see application form below), which should be accompanied by at least four photographs (not less than 2,00KB (2 MB) per image accepted in PDF or JPEG). All photographs must be saved to identify author,  project name and photographer in the file name. These may be produced in the catalogue of finalists (with photographer acknowledgement) published prior to the awards ceremony.
 

1. Entries, photographs, drawings, illustrations and PDF of poster boards to be submitted by email (info@wood.ie) by 31 July 2024. Each entry will require a separate application. Heavy resolution files over 10MB can be forwarded by Dropbox or Wetransfer

2. One A1 poster board  (594 x 841mm, card or board) for each project containing relevant information on project (description, drawings and photographs) including entrant's name. Posters to be in portrait format

3. Poster boards to be dropped in to RIAI HQ, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 by 2 August 2024. Applicants who may not be able to print  and deliver A1 boards should contact Print and Media (oscar@pmp) who can organise the printing and delivery on receipt of suitable high res PDFs for a fee of €45

4. Entry fee: To mark the 10th anniversary of the awards, there is no entry fee this year