FORM Architecture Engineering a 2012 Wood WORKS! champion

Thunder Bay-based FORM Architecture Engineering, a firm that has gained a reputation as a ‘strong” advocate for the use of wood in design and construction, is the recipient of the Ontario Wood WORKS! 2012 Wood Champion Award.

“Whenever the opportunity is made available, they happily educate clients and user groups about the various benefits of wood in design and construction,” Wood WORKS! said in a release. The award was presented at the recent 12th annual Ontario Wood WORKS! celebration.

Members of the firm regularly deliver presentations on the benefits of wood and sustainable design, “based on their reputation, commitment and success with wood construction.

“They take pride in knowing their promotion of wood is making a difference in people’s design choices.”

In addition to education and advocacy efforts, FORM has successfully completed numerous wood construction projects in their region including the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board office, winner of the 2012 Large Institutional-Commercial Wood Design Award, and the recent Confederation College REACH Centre which challenged the building code.

Working with FORM, Confederation College made a conscious decision to incorporate wood into its newest facility, REACH, even though current building codes would not permit its use for this type of assembly occupancy.

“The firm proposed an alternate solution to the city that was successful and the resulting wood structure created a wonderful complement to the space as a learning and healthful environment,” Wood WORKS! said.

Also at the event, Yolles, a CH2M HILL company, received the Engineer Wood Advocate Award while Perkins + Will won the Architect Wood Advocate Award.

Wood WORKS! said Yolles has a “deep and rich history” in designing with wood. The firm’s portfolio includes a wide variety of building types and multiple award-winning projects.

“From specialized interior design, to community centres to world class art galleries, they regularly provide timber engineering solutions for large and complex projects,” Wood WORKS! said.

Since the inception of the Ontario Wood WORKS! Awards, the firm’s work has been regularly recognized, earning seven Wood WORKS! project awards in the last 12 years.

In the architect category, Wood WORKS! said it was proud to recognize Perkins + Will for its regular use of wood in community centres, “a commitment that has resulted in beautiful public spaces for hundreds of thousands of Ontarians and brought the use of wood in this project type into the mainstream.

“The firm understands the properties of wood and uses them to advantage in these buildings.”