Reaching out to future architects The Sustainable Versatility Awards

IIJalr rHE FLooR at any building Y Y tradeshow or conference and you will notice one thing: the market is flooded with synthetic substitutes for lumber.

The market saturation of plastics and composites over the past decade has created two other trends: (l) consumers are returning to the authenticity offered by wood, and (2) future architects and builders are well trained and versed in the marketed value of these alternatives to wood. but are lacking experience with the "real thing."

To address this, the Sustainability Versatility Design Awards is being launched to inspire the next generation of architects to "return to wood." Open to architect students enrolled in an accredited program, this competi- tion encourages them to "design the sustainable structure of the future featuring eastern white pine."

NeLMA annual convention in Boston next April. A panel of judges from across the industry will be reviewing the submissions.

Subscribe to "Ask NeLMA." the association's newsletter, to stay iniormed about the competition.

The competition is part of NELMA's continued dialogue with and for the industry that reminds architects, builders and consumers that wood is the most renewable and sustainable building materials available. At the same time, the workability and historical significance of eastern white pine makes it an amazingly versatile species.

Submissions will begin later this month, with winners announced at the