Announcing the 2026 Wood in Architecture Awards

WoodWorks was founded to support innovation in modern wood design, and we’re fortunate to work alongside the teams taking on that work every day. Our award program gives us a chance to step back and celebrate what they’ve accomplished, and the projects that represent the best of what wood can achieve.

This year, we were especially encouraged by the volume of submissions—an indication of expanding confidence in wood as a material of choice. Thank you to all who nominated projects, and to our volunteer jury for the time and care they brought to the process.

The winning projects illustrate not only what is possible today, but where the industry is headed. From urban campuses to rural communities, and from small-scale buildings to flagship headquarters, they reflect a broad and evolving landscape for mass timber and light-frame wood construction. High-performance envelopes, advanced acoustic and vibration solutions, and hybrid structural systems are enabling wood to meet rigorous program requirements while delivering warm, human-centered spaces.

In cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, wood is redefining expectations for commercial and institutional buildings. Educational projects—from K–12 schools in Seattle to higher education facilities in Pennsylvania and Alabama—show how wood continues to help deliver inspiring learning environments that connect students to nature while meeting ambitious sustainability goals. In Big Sky, Montana, a modular mass timber development points to new possibilities for workforce housing, while a performing arts center in Massachusetts highlights wood’s role in shaping cultural spaces built to last for generations.

Each project reflects a shared commitment to collaboration and intention. Together, they reinforce wood’s role as a resilient, efficient, and expressive material—and point to even greater opportunities ahead.