The National Conference Center (NCC) hosted the 2025 Structural Timber Awards, signifying a historic milestone for the structural timber industry. The esteemed event was held concurrently with the Structural Timber Conference for the first time, bringing together a powerful group of engineers, architects, and sustainability pioneers committed to the future of wood-based building.
As the UK industry pushes towards a Net Zero 2050 goal, the event highlighted how timber is no longer just a traditional material—it is the high-performance, low-carbon engine of modern architecture. The night’s most crucial accolade went to a project that redefines the standard for residential efficiency: Copper Beech Passivhaus Plus. This exceptional development was a collaboration between Progress in Practice, Bailey Projects, and MBC Timber Frame.
The project did more than just win the “Winner of Winners” title; it also swept the Low Energy Project and Timber Frame Project of the Year categories. Copper Beech is a masterclass in Passivhaus Plus technology—a standard that requires a building not only to be incredibly energy-efficient but also to generate as much energy as it consumes through renewable sources.
Key features that impressed the judges included:
- Airtightness Excellence: Utilising MBC’s high-performance timber frame system to virtually eliminate heat loss.
- Carbon Sequestration: The extensive use of timber ensures that the building acts as a long-term carbon store.
- Occupant Wellbeing: High levels of natural light and consistent thermal comfort without traditional heating systems.
In the commercial sphere, the spotlight fell on Paradise SE11, a landmark office development in Lambeth, South London. This project—a collaborative effort between B&K Structures, Bywater, Gilbert-Ash, Webb Yates, FCB Studios, Engenuiti, and Stora Enso—was celebrated for its bold approach to embodied carbon.
Paradise SE11 stands as the UK’s lowest embodied-carbon mass timber office development. It utilized a hybrid CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and Glulam frame, designed specifically for disassembly. This “circular economy” approach ensures that the structural components can be reclaimed and reused at the end of the building’s life cycle, rather than ending up in a landfill.
The 2025 awards reflected a broader trend in the UK timber industry: the move from niche to mainstream. With the government’s “Timber in Construction Roadmap” gaining momentum, the specification of timber is being recognized as a critical tool for reducing the “upfront” carbon associated with building materials like steel and concrete.
Lucy Porter, the evening’s host, navigated through 23 categories that saw nearly 250 entrants. The sheer volume of high-quality submissions signals that the industry is rapidly scaling its ability to deliver complex, large-scale timber projects across education, healthcare, and retail sectors.
Notable category winners 2025:
- Social Housing Project of the Year: Cloverhill by Deeside Timberframe.
- Education Project of the Year: Maybury Primary School, Edinburgh by Fleming Timber Structures.
- Product/System Innovation: Rothoblaas UK for their Removable Connector for Structural Panels.
- Engineer of the Year: Engenuiti, Webb Yates, and OFR for their work on Paradise SE11.
The evening wasn’t just about structural engineering; it was also about social impact. Attendees raised over £1,300 for the Lingen Davies Cancer Charity, supporting cancer services in Shropshire and Mid Wales.
As the industry looks toward 2026, the message from the NCC was clear: timber is the only major construction material that naturally sequesters carbon. By combining this organic benefit with advanced digital manufacturing and AI-driven sorting, the sector is poised to lead the transition to a truly sustainable built environment.
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