The Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award was an international architecture award, awarded every two years from 2000 until 2012, when it was discontinued.

History and description

The award was founded by the Wood in Culture Association (Puu kulttuurissa ry), a Finnish association sponsored by the Finnish wood industry, in 2000.

The award was given to a person or group of persons whose work exemplifies a progressive and creative use of wood. The prize money was €40,000. The award was made at a ceremony held at the Sibelius Hall in the city of Lahti. The award was given a total of seven times, before it was discontinued in 2012. A few of the award winners afterwards received commissions to design a small structure in Lahti.

Recipients of the Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award

YearRecipientCountryRef
2000Renzo PianoItaly
2002Kengo KumaJapan
2004Richard LeplastrierAustralia
2006Peter ZumthorSwitzerland
2008José Cruz OvalleChile
2010Hermann KaufmannAustria
2012Bijoy JainIndia

Structures in Lahti designed by Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award recipients

  • Kengo Kuma, bus shelter
  • Richard Leplastrier wooden structure

See also