WOOD WORKS AWARDS Ontario Wood WORKS! Award Winners Announced: Sustainable, cost-saving wood solutions just the beginning (Toronto, November 13, 2013) A select group of On- tario’s leading architects, engineers, and project teams received Wood Design Awards at the 13 th annual Wood WORKS! celebration in Toronto. The awards program recognizes people and organizations that, through design excellence, advo- cacy, and innovation, are advancing the use of wood in all types of construction across the province. “Wood design in Ontario is experienc- ing a renaissance,” says Marianne Berube, executive di- rector of the Ontario Wood WORKS! project. “We received 102 nominations this year, the most we’ve re- ceived in any given year, which is impressive when you consider that all of these projects have recently been built in Ontario.” “There are many reasons for the increased use of wood in contemporary architecture,” explains Berube. People understand and appreciate wood’s environmental benefits and, in many applications, designers and devel- opers are also reporting significant time and cost sav- ings. Also, new products and design innovations have expanded opportunities for using wood. Around the world we’re seeing that it is a viable option for all types of construction including midrise buildings, sustainable urban densification, and even tall wood buildings. Winning projects this year include Algonquin Col- lege’s new Perth Campus, a 4-storey retirement resi- dence that is more than 107,000 sq. ft. in size, and a community centre whose appealing wood design is credited with helping con- tribute to the overwhelming success of the facility and significant growth in recre- ation and leisure activity in Richmond Hill. A total of twelve awards were pre- sented at the event. “We are privileged to have this chance to celebrate the people who, through their work with wood, enrich our built environment and lead the way for future excellence and innovation in wood design and building,” concluded Berube. Wood WORKS! is a national, industry-led initiative of the Canadian Wood Council that promotes and supports the use of wood in all types of construction. Working with the design community, Wood WORKS! connects practi- tioners with resources related to the use of wood in com- mercial, industrial, institutional and multi-unit residential construction, assists in product sourcing, and delivers ed- ucational seminars and training opportunities to existing and future practitioners. David Bowick, Co-MC, Steve Boyd, Quaile Engineering Trevor McIvor, Altius; Doug Orchard, Orchard Contracting; Steve McManus, Weyerhaeuser 58 – Winter 2014 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Roberto Chiotti, Larkin Architect; Mike Philips, OWTFA