The shortlist, which recognises 28 cutting-edge timber buildings, was chosen from almost 400 entries, with the UK being home to the most nominated schemes by some distance.

Projects were assessed using the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, a global framework due to be launched at next month’s COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The framework aims to ensure that increased demand for wood is managed responsibly.

Six winners and six commendations will be selected from a shortlist that includes housing, education, workplace, industrial facilities and public infrastructure schemes. They will be revealed at the Built by Nature Summit in London next Thursday (16 October).

Chair of the judging panel and Built by Nature chief executive Paul King said: ‘This prize celebrates the organisations who are driving real change around the world, transforming construction for a regenerative future.

‘The sheer range and ambition of the hundreds of submissions we received this year speaks volumes about the progress being made in timber construction worldwide.

‘These projects are not just buildings; they are bold, real-world demonstrations of what’s possible when we align design, material, and purpose with the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction.’

The five British projects nominated are:

Durley Chine Environmental Hub, Bournemouth, by Footprint Architects
Paradise, Lambeth, by FCBS
Sands End Arts & Community Centre, Fulham, by Mae Architects
The Black and White Building, Hackney, by Waugh Thistleton
WorkStack, Charlton, by dRMM

Prize judge Maureen Whelan, manager of multilateral affairs for the Canadian Forest Service, said: ‘The shortlisted projects … show how clear guidance, combined with supportive policy and innovation across the supply chain, can lead to climate-smart buildings that meet both environmental and performance goals.’

Built by Nature is an Amsterdam-based not-for-profit aiming to transform the built environment by promoting the responsible use of timber and biobased materials.

The next three episodes of the AJ Climate Champions podcast will be in partnership with Built by Nature and will be devoted to building with timber.