WoodWorks announces Recipients of the 2026 Wood in Architecture Awards
WoodWorks – Wood Products Council has announced the recipients of its 2026 Wood in Architecture Awards, recognizing eight outstanding projects that demonstrate excellence and innovation in mass timber, heavy timber, light-frame, and hybrid construction. The annual program celebrates developers and design teams that are advancing sustainable building practices through the innovative use of wood, creating positive impacts for communities, occupants, and the environment across the United States.
“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,” said Jennifer Cover, PE, WoodWorks President & CEO.
An independent jury of design professionals reviewed, deliberated, and selected the winning projects based on four criteria: design excellence, innovative use of wood, sustainability & resilience, and market impact.
The 2026 jury includes:
David J. Odeh, SE, PE, F. SEI, F, ASCE | WSP
Jessie Johnson, AIA, LEED AP | DLR Group
JoAnn Hindmarsh Wilcox, AIA, LEED AP | Mithun
Michael LeBlanc, AIA | Utile Design
“The winning projects illustrate not only what is possible today, but where the industry is headed,” shared Cover. “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 winning projects showcase the growing versatility of mass timber and light-frame wood construction, spanning everything from urban campuses and rural developments to small-scale facilities and landmark corporate headquarters.
2026 Winning Projects
Amy Gutmann Hall, Data Science & AI Building
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Architect: Lake Flato Architects (Design Architect, Architect of Record); KSS Architects (Associate Architect)
Structural Engineer: Buro Happold
General Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Developer/Owner: University of Pennsylvania
Cincinnati Public Radio Cincinnati, Ohio
Architect: emersion DESIGN
Structural Engineer: Schaefer
General Contractor: Skanska
Developer/Owner: Cincinnati Public Radio
Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow
Becket, Massachusetts
Design Architect: Mecanoo; Architect of Record: Marvel
Structural Engineer: TYLin
General Contractor: Allegrone Companies
Developer/Owner: Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
Knight Building Big Sky, Montana Design
Architects: Integrated Design Cubed (IDCUBED) / NKBAK / Peter Rose + Partners; Architect of Record: Peter Rose + Partners
Structural Engineer: RSE Associates, Inc.
General Contractor: Highline Partners
Developer/Owner: Lone Mountain Land Company
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Environmental Education Building
Auburn, Alabama
Architect: Leers Weinzapfel Associates
Structural Engineer of Record: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH);
Delegated Design Engineer: KPFF
General Contractor: W.W. Compton Contractor, LLC
Developer/Owner: Auburn University – College of Forestry, Wildlife, and the Environment
Mercer Middle School
Seattle, Washington
Architect: Bassetti Architects, A Design Studio of HMC Architects
Structural Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen
General Contractor: Cornerstone General Contractors
Developer/Owner: Seattle Public Schools
Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters
Fountain Valley, California
Architect: HDR
Structural Engineer: HDR
General Contractor: Swinerton
Developer/Owner: Orange County Sanitation District
Under Armour Global Headquarters
Baltimore, Maryland
Architect: Gensler
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
General Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Developer/Owner: Under Armour
Source: Woodworking Network
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