When originally announced this year, the Australian Timber Design Awards (ATDA) competition was missing one of its newest "Best Use of" categories, Plywood & LVL. This category was first introduced last year to focus attention on this unique range of timber based products.

Plywood is one of the oldest manufactured timber products and LVL it's most recent structural advance. Since the inception of the ATDA, with its humble beginnings in the year 2000, many entries have included plywood based products with 2007 seeing both an award and a commendation going to the category.

Just days ago the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia applied to have the "Best Use of Plywood and LVL" included in the 2008 awards. They have announced that the winner will receive an impressive trophy specially designed for the award and for those looking to enter into this category they will extend the closing date to 12th September.

Although this award was originally conceived to highlight the recent innovations in plywood and LVL and encourage and reward their use by architects, designers and builder, it is also inclusive of those unseen structural applications such as formwork and bracing as well as decorative veneers - both hardwood and softwood, and its ability to bend to most design criteria. Judges will also be considering entries for an award "Innovative Use of Plywood Formwork & Sub-structures".

As demonstrated last year, Plywood and LVL entries can come from all facets of building, from the use as a structural elements such as the 2007 ATDA winner which used plywood as an enclosed, visually striking, box beam roofing structure to the unique entry that had a jigsaw floor covering, cut from plywood, which caught the imagination of the judging panel and was awarded a special commendation. Entries for this category close on the 12th of September.

We can't get the message out without your help: send in those entry forms for the 2008 Australian Timber Design Awards, and be sure to consider entering the Best Use of Cypress award!