Entry Requirements

Download Entry form
Download Conditions of Entry

You must read and agree to the conditions of entry (which you can read below or download in pdf format from the link above) before entering the 2008 Australian Timber Design Awards.

Entry is open to architects, builders, building designers, engineers, students and approved others.

A submitted project must be based on a completed building or structure. It consists of a presentation board, images and, if required, written design statements. Please ensure that presentation boards represent the primary category which the project is entered into. For example, if a project is entered for the Interior Fitout award, the presentation board should feature interior – rather than exterior – photos.

A submission may be entered in ONE of the following primary categories per entry form. A separate entry form is required to enter additional primary categories.

1. Residential Class 1
   Single family dwellings or townhouses/villas
   Projects may be entered in either one of two subcategories:
   A. New Buildings
   B. Best Renovation
2. Resorts including apartments and aged care
3. Public or Commercial Buildings
   Projects may be entered in either one of two subcategories:
   A. Composite Frame – frame to be constructed of timber and other materials
   B. Timber Frame – frame constructed of timber only
4. Interior Fitout
   Commercial only, e.g. offices, shops, building foyers, etc. Note that Best Use of Decorative Wood Veneers is a separate category. See below.
5. Outdoor Timber
   Sheds, landscapes, boardwalks, decks, bridges etc.

In addition there are the special categories awards. These comprise:

1. Best Use of Cypress Award
2. Best Use of Decorative Wood Veneers Award
3. Best Use of Engineered Timber Products Award
4. Best Use of Exterior Primed Pine Award
5. Best Use of Plywood and LVL Award and Trophy
6. Best Use of Timber as a Structural Element Award
7. Best Use of Timber Flooring Award
8. Best Use of Western Red Cedar Award
9. Environmental Commitment Award

These special awards are applicable to entries in all categories. Entrants who wish to have their entry considered for any of these special awards should indicate their intention on the entry form and supply an additional statement outlining how the project excels in the relevant areas. You may enter the special award categories only if you wish; the same entry fee applies. You may enter up to FOUR special categories per entry form.

Students and entrants 30 and under are encouraged to compete against their peers in the Students and Under 30s Encouragement Award. However, students and entrants 30 or under may also compete in other categories if they wish; the reduced entry fees listed below apply.

Entries will be judged on outstanding timber use, appearance, workmanship, structure and innovation. Judges are looking, in particular, for context-suitable use of timber. Well-considered design and construction with timber will distinguish an entry. The judging panel comprises prominent representatives of the architecture, timber engineering and construction professions. A separate industry panel, which includes the sponsors, will have final adjudication on the “Best Use Of” awards.

With such a broad range of categories on offer, there is scope for recognition of a variety of applications. Each entry category is judged on its own merits with categories being judged independently. This is an important feature of the Australian Timber Design Awards: a winning project may excel in a range of distinct areas.  

It is important for entries to be comprehensive but concise – judges will refer to written statements, drawings, and detailed photographs where appropriate in order to distinguish a winner (see entry requirements). As such, entrants must consider whether their project is appropriate for the categories into which it is entered. Where possible their entry should display examples of outstanding design in the relevant areas.

• Building or project must be completed by 31 July 2008 and not prior to 1 July 2005.
• For entries in the Students and Under 30s Encouragement Award, entrants should either be: (1) aged 30 or under on the completion date of the building or project; or (2) enrolled in fulltime study on the completion date.
• Building or project must not have been entered into previous Australian Timber Design Awards competitions.
• Building or project must have significant timber content, either structural or decorative.
• Upon payment of the prescribed entry fee, a building or project may be entered into one primary category, if applicable, at no extra cost.
• Entrants must declare a significant contribution to the design or construction of the building or project.
• Building or project owner’s consent for publicity must be acknowledged on the release form. Anonymity of the building address and/or owner’s name will be assured if requested in the appropriate part of the release form.
• The entry form and release form must be complete and accurate – you should retain a completed copy for your records.
• Permission from owners and photographers is the responsibility of the entrant and must be obtained before entering.

• Open entry $121.00
• 30 and under $82.50
• Student $44.00

An early bird 20% discount applies only to entry forms submitted by 5pm Friday 11th July 2008.

Components

1. Completed entry form
2. Completed release form
3. One A1 presentation board
4. At least 6 project images
5. Written statement for each category entered
6. Entry fee
7. Additional statements and images for special entry categories (where appropriate)

A copy of the entry form, release form, images, and appropriate statements should be included in an A4 binder, which will be referred to by the judges. This will complement the A1 presentation board.

• For purpose of viewing by judges and public, should illustrate use of timber throughout the project.
• Maximum of one A1 board per entry form.
• Should include entrant’s name, project title and location (subject to owner’s permission).
• Should include at least one photograph which strongly represents the timber subject of the project.
• Do not use abstract or blurred photographs - judges need to be able to see project detail
• Site and/or floor plan (simple details only).
• Appropriate section or photographic detail relevant to the categories for which the project has been entered.
• Must include one photograph which shows the whole project.

Presentation boards will be available for collection from the offices of TDA after the official exhibition/s. A fee of $30 will be required in addition to the entry fee to cover postage and packaging if you wish your presentation board to be returned.

Project Images
At least 6 photographs should be supplied (additional plans and sections no larger than A4 size may also be included to demonstrate particular features of the building). Photographs of the frame in construction will be required in Category 4 Public & Commercial Buildings. Photographs should be in the following form:

• Digital colour low resolution images for web use
• Digital colour high resolution images for print (no larger than 100MB in file size)
• Colour hardcopy (for judges)
• Please include construction photos and floor plans to demonstrate structural use of timber

Written Statement

• 1 page statement describing the project. May be used for media purposes.
• Must include details of the timber species used for various applications within the project.

Additional Statements

• 1 page statement describing why the project should be considered for the relevant special award category.
• Entries into the Environmental Commitment Award should outline the project’s contribution to the advancement of environmentally sustainable design – submissions should, in particular, make clear how timber has been used to aid this outcome. These outlines may be more than one page in length.

Entries must be submitted to:
The Timber Development Association (NSW)

Deliveries will be accepted Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.