Eight innovative timber projects honored at 2026 Wood in Architecture Awards

WoodWorks has unveiled the winners of its 2026 Wood in Architecture award, celebrating “excellence and innovation in mass timber, heavy timber, light-frame, and hybrid building design.” This year, eight buildings were selected for “using wood in innovative ways that positively impact the environment, occupants, and communities throughout the U.S.” 

“The winning projects illustrate not only what is possible today, but where the industry is headed,” WoodWorks President and CEO Jennifer Cover said about the selection. “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.”

The eight winning schemes are as follows:

Amy Gutmann Hall, Data Science & AI Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Lake Flato Architects and KSS Architects

Cincinnati Public Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio by emersion DESIGN

Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts by Mecanoo and Marvel

Knight Building in Big Sky, Montana by Integrated Design Cubed (IDCUBED) / NKBAK / Peter Rose + Partners

The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Environmental Education Building in Auburn, Alabama by Leers Weinzapfel Associates

Mercer Middle School in Seattle, Washington by Bassetti Architects, A Design Studio of HMC Architects

Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters in Fountain Valley, California by HDR

Under Armour Global Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland by Gensler