The first annual Atlantic WoodWORKS! Wood Design Awards were celebrated on March 25, 2015 at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax by more than 100 distinguished guests, including architects, engineers, developers, contractors, federal, provincial and municipal government officials, industry, and partnering associations.
Atlantic WoodWORKS! is a regional program of the Maritime Lumber Bureau, as part of the national industry-led initiative of the Canadian Wood Council, with a goal to support innovation and provide leadership on the use of wood and wood products. Through workshops, seminars and case studies, Atlantic WoodWORKS! provides education, training and technical expertise to building and design professionals involved with commercial, institutional and industrial construction projects.
The first annual Wood Design Awards luncheon recognized excellence in wood construction and design, and honoured the people and organizations that showcase and promote the use of wood in the Atlantic region. A jury of experts reviewed the 24 nominees within six different categories and selected winners based on several factors including: creativity, distinctive use of wood materials, ability to satisfy client and site requirements, innovation and overall aesthetics.
The panel of three judges included: Marianne Berube, Executive Director of Ontario WoodWORKS! and founder of the Wood Design Awards program; David Bowick, P.Eng, Blackwell Structural Engineering; Ed MacAulay, Project Advisor for Atlantic WoodWORKS!
The winners are as follows:
New Brunswick Non-Residential Project—University of New Brunswick (UNB) Bailey Hall Theatre Renovations by Murdock & Boyd Architects
Nova Scotia Non-Residential Project—Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre by Lydon Lynch Architects in Joint venture with Diamond Schmitt Architects
Newfoundland and Labrador Non-Residential Project—Southlands Community Centre designed by Fougere Menchenton Architecture Inc.
Atlantic Residential Project—Moore Studio designed by Omar Gandhi Architect Inc.
The Atlantic Engineer Award—Mark Gillis from Gillis & Company Timber Frames
The Atlantic Architect Award—Brian Mackay-Lyons from Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Ltd.
The awards luncheon was a great success and the event helped to further encourage the use of regional wood products in the Atlantic Canadian building industry. The Maritime Lumber Bureau and Atlantic WoodWORKS! would like to thank all of the nominees who supported and participated in the awards program. Future events will help to promote innovation in wood use and support sustainable building practices.
For more information, please visit http://atlanticwoodworks.ca