2026 categories
Entrants may submit a project into a maximum of two categories. With the entrant’s permission, judges may recommend moving a project to a more suitable category or considering it in more than two categories.
All Stage 2 finalists are automatically considered for the People’s Choice and Supreme Awards.
Changes to categories
We've introduced two new bespoke categories that specifically highlight a unique timber characteristic and how that has been applied in design and/or construction.
The new categories are:
We have also refined several of the other award categories to provide clearer guidance and help entrants assess which category best fits their project.
Entry fees
Category groupings
Entry is open to Year 3 and 4 students, as well as students enrolled in a relevant master’s degree, at a New Zealand tertiary education provider.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing innovation in timber through conceptual or proposed projects where timber is featured as a solution to relevant building sector issues across New Zealand.
1. Why was timber chosen for the project?
2. How was timber effectively used to exploit its range of structural, environmental and/or aesthetic applications?
3. What was the decision process like that resulted in the use of timber for this project?
A fit-out of a new or existing building (including renovations).
JUDGING CRITERIA
Novel selection, application and aesthetic design in an interior environment.
1. How were specific timbers chosen for this project and why?
2. How were the aesthetics influenced by the use of timber?
3. How was timber selected for expression of cultural and historic values as appropriate for the application?
For the use of New Zealand grown alternative species (excludes Douglas Fir and Radiata Pine). This can be extended to anything in timber used in the construction industry including art, sculptures, recycling timber, etc.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Innovative use of New Zealand grown timbers that takes advantage of the unique properties of the species, for engineered or solid wood materials for use in building and furniture.
1. What properties of the species chosen were considered during design?
2. What unique aspects of timber were advantageous for its use on this project?
3. Why were New Zealand grown timbers used for this project over other timbers?
For the use of timber and wood-based products as a signature feature resulting in designs of exterior structures and features such as bridges, pavilions, walkways, landscaping, exterior furniture and exterior art.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Appropriate selection of durable timber as expressed in a novel, extreme environment, or aesthetic application.
1. How were the specific timbers and/or treatment methods chosen to provide durability in conjunction with the form and function?
2. Why was timber chosen as the material for the installation over other materials?
3. How was timber and the project able to integrate with the surrounding environment?
This category focuses on timber structures manufactured based on innovative processes and techniques recognising supplier/manufacturer input and innovation (i.e. double-curved members, large-scale finger jointing etc,.)
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing design and manufacturing innovation to use timber in different ways and provide solutions that may not have been possible previously due to advances in technology.
1. What technologies unique to timber allowed for the execution of this design in wood?
2. What technology innovations were used or developed that would not have been feasible in past years?
3. What made this project uniquely viable in timber, using manufacturing and fabrication processes that are not available or possible with other materials?
Recognising outstanding timber projects completed outside Aotearoa by New Zealand teams, this category highlights innovation, craftsmanship, and the successful adaptation of timber solutions to diverse international contexts. Eligible entries may include new builds, renovations, or fit-outs where timber plays a central role in design and execution.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Celebrating New Zealand design firms and New Zealand timber suppliers for their outstanding design and use of New Zealand timber in an international project.
1. How was timber creatively and effectively used to address the unique challenges of the overseas context?
2. In what ways did the project adapt timber solutions to local environmental, cultural, or regulatory requirements?
3. What impact did timber have on the project’s sustainability and overall design quality?
Celebrating the outstanding sustainable use of timber as a material of choice in the project.
JUDGING CRITERIA
For the use of timber and wood-based products in projects that are achieving low environmental impact and enhancing New Zealand’s unique culture, society and environment. Carbon calculations showing the benefit of using timber as a structural material are encouraged.
1. Why was timber used for this project and what comparisons were developed that supported its use as a sustainable system?
2. How will this use of timber demonstrate the shift in design and construction for achieving lower carbon building solutions in New Zealand?
3. How was timber used to address all aspects of the life cycle and/or design for dismantling or re-use of a building?
For the use of timber and wood-based products as a signature feature resulting in exceptional design of a residential single-family stand-alone dwelling.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing built form and amenity, with innovation in material selection and aesthetics in a residential context.
1. How was timber used to showcase the built form and amenity?
2. How was timber selected for expression of form and functionality?
3. How was timber selected to manifest the concept of “home”?
A new multi-unit residential dwelling, (townhouses, terraced houses, walk-up apartments, or any other residential building up to 3 stories). This category focuses on a ‘horizontal’ development in timber.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing built form and amenity, with innovation in material selection and aesthetics in a multi-unit residential dwelling context.
1. How was timber used to showcase the built form and amenity?
2. How was timber selected for expression of form and functionality?
3. How was timber used to effectively and efficiently create a multi-unit dwelling suitable for multiple tenancies?
This category recognises projects where timber is a defining element in commercial or industrial buildings, such as offices, retail spaces, factories, or warehouses. Entries should demonstrate how timber contributes to functionality, sustainability, and the overall user experience in demanding, high-traffic, or operationally complex settings.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing built form and amenity, with innovation in material selection and aesthetics in a commercial or industrial use building.
1. How did the use of timber address the specific functional and operational needs of the commercial or industrial environment?
2. What innovative approaches were taken in the selection and application of timber for durability and performance?
3. How did timber contribute to the sustainability and user experience of the project?
This award celebrates the use of timber in public buildings—such as schools, libraries, community centres, or government facilities—where design, accessibility, and civic value are paramount. Projects should demonstrate how timber enhances the public realm, supports community engagement, and delivers lasting social and environmental benefits.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing innovation in material selection, built form, and aesthetics, remaining respectful of and enhancing its intended purpose as a building of public or community amenity.
1. How did the use of timber enhance the building’s public value, accessibility, or community identity?
2. In what ways did timber contribute to the project’s environmental and social sustainability?
3. How were civic values and long-term durability reflected in the selection and detailing of timber?
A multi-storey building over 3 levels (can be commercial, public, or residential). This category focuses on a ‘vertical’ development in timber.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing the built form and innovation in maximising the valuable characteristics and properties of timber in a multi-storey context.
1. How was timber used innovatively to solve the issues of a multi-storey building?
2. What engineering challenges were specifically achieved using wood and how?
3. How was the use of timber expressed in the form and aesthetics of the building?
Any building type where timber is used as a structural material, but is not the main structural material (i.e. the use of mass timber flooring panels in a commercial multi-storey steel building, timber extensions on existing steel or concrete buildings).
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing the characteristics, built form, innovation, benefits, and properties of using timber in combination with other structural materials.
1. How was timber purposefully used in conjunction with other materials to effectively achieve the superior building solutions that could not have been possible without using timber or other materials in isolation?
2. What engineering challenges were solved by using this combination of timber and other materials?
3. How was the combination of materials purposefully expressed in a way that enhanced the form and aesthetics of the building?
This category focuses on timber structures based on innovative engineering solutions (i.e. the design of a grid-shell or diagrid structure; adoption of damage avoidance design etc).
JUDGING CRITERIA
Showcasing engineering and construction innovation in maximising the ability to utilise timber in different ways and push forward with exciting and different solutions.
1. What innovations were used with timber to address the engineering and environmental challenges of the building?
2. How was timber specifically used to achieve the form and function of the building in a creative way?
3. What sets this project apart from other similar projects using other materials?
