Appealing Interiors

A curved central staircase connects all three levels of the Garden Circle House, while a horizontal window on the landing offers glimpses into the hidden groundfloor study and pantry. Light filters through the operable skylight, providing illumination and ventilation in the center of the home while offering a view of the sky. (Featured on the next page)

Don’t judge a book by its cover – especially when it comes to buildings. Often, the exterior is merely a hint at what’s inside.

As we started working on this issue, we looked back at recent Wood Design Award submissions and discovered more than enough inspiration to fill a few magazines. Last year’s winners were featured in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue, but there were many outstanding buildings that didn’t make the final cut – and countless photos of winning projects that couldn’t be included due to space constraints (even with an expanded section). A treasure trove of almost 180 entries in 2020 – and close to 150 in 2019 – displayed many inspiring uses of wood, whether structural or aesthetic, polished or rugged, modern or classic. Among recent award entries, outstanding interiors were the norm. Here are some of our favorites.

IMAGE: Scott Norsworthy