Eight buildings around the world have been shortlisted for the first Wood Excellence Awards, which celebrates the diversity and ingenuity of buildings in which wood plays in integral part.

Main picture: Salvaged Ring by a21studio

Along with mud, wood is one of our oldest building materials, and it is still widely used today in the design and construction of all kinds of buildngs.

The Tent, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam, by a21studio

This year the World Architecture Festival is celebrating this immemorial building material with a special award for the best building in which timber forms an integral part.

Pittwater House, Sydney, Australia, by Andrew Burges Architects

The projects, which include a spa in Vietnam, a power station in France and an airport terminal in New Zealand, show the incredible diversity and beauty of wood, and the ingenuity of the architects and designers who choose to use it over more modern and easily crafted materials.

Alex Monroe Studio, London, UK, by DSDHA

Sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the Wood Excellence Prize is the first of its kind to feature on the festival's awards programme, the only criterion is that wood is an integral part of the project.

Regional Terminal at Christchurch Airport, Christchurch, New Zealand, by BVN Donovan Hill

Eight projects have been shortlisted for the award. The architects of each project will now be invited to present their project to the prize judges live at the World Architecture Festival, which takes place in Singapore this October.

The Pinch, Zhaotong, China, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong

For more information visit: www.worldarchitecturefestival.com

School't Hofke, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, by UArchitects

Earth Wind and Fire, Vannes, France, Atelier Arcau

