BDP - General - London, BDP Wins Twice at the Wood Awards

Date: 24 Oct 2006

BDP won in two categories at the Wood Awards held at Carpenters' Hall in London on 18 October (2006). They were presented by Sir Michael Lord MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and past president of the Arboricultural Association, in front of an invitation only audience of over 200 architectural, design, construction and wood professionals. The Wood Awards are the premier awards for wood in buildings and furniture.

New for 2006 was the Offsite Manufactured Project Award, introduced to recognise this increasingly important element of modern construction. This was awarded to BDP's Roche Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City for pointing the future direction for wood in building components, with the use of a bespoke, unitised and cavity ventilated cladding system developed by Schneider entirely new to the UK, on which BDP replaced aluminium with American white oak.

Roche Headquarters was also awarded one of two trophies for Innovation, which are additional awards given at the sole discretion of the judges to category winners for outstanding achievement.

"2006 was another year of record entries and spectacular quality of work for The Wood Awards." says organiser Michael Buckley. "Whether the building is a cultural centre of national importance by a leading architectural practice or an elegantly crafted piece of furniture, it is the sheer quality of workmanship that has shone through in all the winning projects."

Roche grasped the opportunity to revolutionise the way they worked when they centralised from a number of disparate buildings to under one roof in Welwyn Garden City. The outcome was not just a platform for 21st century efficiency but an outstandingly elegant, dramatic and environmentally friendly building. Roche asked for quality without ostentation to attract and hold the best staff and this is what designer BDP has delivered. It has left the company delighted and thrilled with the finished product.

BDP was appointed as architect, structural and environmental engineer, interior designer, landscape architect, lighting, acoustic and sustainability consultant. QS was Clarus Consulting and construction manager was PCM. This news comes shortly after BDP's success at the BCO awards where the Roche headquarters swept the board winning the Best of the Best award.

The atrium at BDP's Roche headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.

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