Vote for your favourite project in the 2010 People's Choice Award

If you haven't already done so, now is the time to cast your vote online for your favourite project in the People's Choice Award! Hundreds of votes have been cast, but no clear winner has yet emerged, so your vote could be crucial.

Although we can't tell you their names, we can reveal that a good handful of projects are running neck and neck for the #1 spot. Some of the projects we expected to do well are highly placed in that leading pack -- and others have been pushed aside by strongly competitive outsiders. But the People's Choice Award is still anyone's to win, so cast your vote today!

And one more thing: don't forget to register for the ATDA presentation nights.

Vote for your favourite project in the 2010 People's Choice Award

Voting has opened for the 2010 People's Choice Award! Members of the public may view all entries into the 2010 Australian Timber Design Awards (ATDA) and vote online for whichever entry they like best. We have a very eclectic field of entries this year, so we're certain you'll find a project that suits your taste. And voting is easy: just click on images to view the projects, select the project you like best, and click the Vote button. Try it now!

Although the public chooses the winner of the People’s Choice Award, our expert judging panel will determine all other ATDA winners. The winner of the People's Choice Award will be announced on October 29, shortly before the announcement of the Overall ATDA winner.

And don't forget to register for the ATDA presentation nights!

From our archives: 2006 Highly Commended - Marsh Cashman Koolhoos Architects - The White House

Ever wanted to be on television? The staff of ABC TV's New Inventors will shortly begin sifting through entries into the Awards in the hope of finding a few knockout projects for their show. They're looking for unique or innovative entries -- for showpieces of the best new Australian timber design.

So be warned if you're camera shy: ABC may be recording at the main presentation night and showcasing selected projects on national TV. Remember, New Inventors is looking for innovation. Be sure, therefore, to highlight any novel and ground-breaking aspects of your project when compiling your entry submission.

And if you haven't yet entered the Awards, don't delay: July 30, the extended close of entry date, is approaching fast! Have a look through our galleries of previous winners, read through the entry categories (something there for everyone), and fill out a registration form today.

From our archives: 2007 Overall Winner - Hayball Leonard Stent - Moonah Links Lodges

The Australian Timber Design Awards(ATDA) organising committee is pleased to announce that it has just released a sponsor-only version of the ATDA logo. This timber industry badge of honour allows sponsors to display to building industries professionals their involvement in this influential, perception-changing competition.

Over the 11 years of the ATDA, many timber producers, resellers and industry associations have contributed to the ongoing success of the Awards program. The organising committee are keen to ensure that those companies or organisations whose commitment makes the competition such a success will be recognised for their involvement.

The current list of producers and resellers licensed to use the 2010 Sponsor logo includes Boral Timber, Hyne, ITI, Carter Holt Harvey, Wespine, Kennedy's Classic Aged Timber and Radial Timber Sales. Look for the 2010 ATDA logo and support those who support the Awards.

From our archives: 2009 Overall Best Southern Region (Tasmania & Victoria) Award - McBride Charles Ryan - The Letterbox House

Things are getting frantic here at the Timber Development Association as the July 16 cutoff date for Australian Timber Design Awards registration draws near. Entries are rolling in, and staff are on the phone non-stop answering architect queries.

Some of the commonest questions we receive relate to the Awards judging panel. Contestants wish to know, in particular, who the guest architect judge is for 2010. Michael Green, principal of McFarlane Green Biggar Architecture (MGB), Vancouver Canada, has the spot: he will join the judging panel for the final selections prior to the announcement of winners at the end of October.

Michael brings weighty architectural credentials to the Awards. He has designed some of the world's larger airports, including Ottawa, Moscow and Washington DC's Reagan National; he and his partners at MGB have been nominated for the 2010 Marcus Prize in Architecture; and he is something of a timber specialist on the lecture circuit. Michael's commitment to timber -- not only as an architect, but as a carpenter, boat builder and millworker -- is what drew us to him. And we're not alone in this: Michael will be touring Australia in September as a lecturer for the WoodSolutions 2010 program of Forest & Wood Products Australia.

But the publicity that such high profile judges bring to the Awards (already a venerable, well-publicised competition) won't be any use to you if you don't submit an entry! So if you've got a project which you think could be a winner, check out the expanded range of entry categories (something there for everyone) and fill out a registration form today. Remember, entries close July 16!

The Timber Inspiration Gallery

Yet another gallery of past winners has gone live here on the Australian Timber Design Awards (ATDA) website. But this one is rather special: unlike our other galleries, this Timber Inspiration Gallery shows images grouped by application. So if you're thinking, for instance, of landscaping with timber, you'll want to check out the landscaping section of the gallery. If, instead, it's timber flooring that interests you, check out the flooring section. And if you're thinking about entering the 2010 ATDA and want to gauge the potential competition in your entry category, the Timber Inspiration Gallery is a great place to start.

Yet more inspiration can be found in the online version of the 2009 ATDA Commemorative Year Book. This full colour slideshow provides images of all 2009 entries -- with particular attention given, of course, to national and regional winners. And yes, this too is a great means of sizing up your competition.

But you can't be in competition until you sign up -- so if you've got a project which you think could be a winner, check out the expanded range of entry categories (something there for everyone) and fill out a registration form today. Remember, entries close July 16!

From our archives: 2006 Residential Class 1 Highly Commended - SYSTEMarchitects - BURST*003

Every year, the organising committee of the Australian Timber Design Awards (ATDA) comes up with a few innovations to shake things up a little – and 2010 is no exception. Big news this year is the extra prizes up for grabs. These include 3 new category awards, an Interior Fitout Award for residential projects, and expanded environmental awards.

But the award we keep getting asked about is the new People’s Choice Award. This award will be voted on by you, the public: visitors to the ATDA website will be able to view all entries and choose a favourite at the same time as official judging takes place. Inspired by the popular People’s Choice Award of the Archibald Prize, early indications are that this new architectural award is going to be a big hit with the public.

All of the primary awards including the overall Australian Timber Design Award and the People’s Choice Award will be presented at a gala NSW Timber Industry dinner on the 29th of October. To make things a little more interesting, the dinner will be hosted at Luna Park, with the popular comedian Vince Sorrenti as MC.

Twists like these seem to be working, as entries for the 2010 ATDA are rolling in! The new online submission facility and the expanded range of entry categories (something there for everyone) have been greeted very favourably by contestants. Got a project which you think could be a winner? Get your entry in by July 16 or miss out!

From our archives: 2005 Innovation Award Winner - Innovarchi Pty Ltd & Timberbuilt - Timber House of the Future

Another gallery of past winners of the Australian Timber Design Awards has just gone live here on the ATDA website. That's another showcase of the very best in Australian timber design and architecture for you to enjoy -- and another reason, we hope, for you to get thinking about entering the 2010 Awards!

If you haven't taken time to explore the ATDA galleries, or if you'd just like to see the gallery additions, take a moment now to drop by and sample the timber eye candy. Timber design comes in many flavours, and whatever it is you're looking for -- residential or commercial design, interiors or exteriors, classic design or the very latest innovations -- there's plenty in our galleries to reward your interest.

Like what you see? Got a project which you think could be a winner? Whatever the project, we're sure you'll find an entry category to suit it. And remember, the sooner you start preparing your entry, the better the chance you'll have of snagging an award!