Built by Nature – the not-for-profit organisation, with a mission to ‘lead a global transformation of the built environment by accelerating the responsible use of timber and biobased materials’, announced the six winners and six commended buildings for the Built by Nature Prize 2025 at its London summit in October.
The winners represent the leading edge of sustainable design and are featured in a new documentary film: ‘Our Future: Built by Nature’ – produced by Open Planet Studios, alongside Sir David Attenborough and COP30 President Marina Silva and will be shown at COP30, Belém, Brazil.
The Built by Nature Prize 2025 celebrates the projects and people accelerating the global shift towards timber and bio-based construction. Open for entries over two months earlier this year, the Prize attracted nearly 400 applications from 39 countries and jurisdictions.
All entries were assessed against BbN’s Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, a global framework designed to ensure that growing demand for timber is met with environmental and social responsibility and endorsed by over 260 leading global organisations. To score highly, applicants were required to submit detailed information on construction materials, embodied carbon, certification, and reuse strategies.
Among the judges was Kevin McCloud, architect and familiar host of C4’s Grand Designs that said: “These projects challenge outdated assumptions and show that timber is not only safe and sustainable, but also socially transformative. From fire stations to social housing, they prove that wood can be the material of resilience, beauty, and bold innovation.”
One of the six winning projects was the UK’s Black and White Building (pictured), designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects and London’s tallest engineered timber office building. The seven-storey, 4,480sq m workplace was completed in 2022. Amongst the commended projects was Paradise SE11 and Durley Chine Environmental Hub that sits on Bournemouth’s Blue Flag beach.
Built by Nature CEO Paul King, who chaired the panel of judges, said: “This Prize celebrates the organisations driving real change around the world, transforming construction for a regenerative future. The ambition of this year’s winners and commendations speak volumes about the progress being made in timber construction globally. These are not just buildings; they are bold, real-world demonstrations of what’s possible when design, material, and purpose align with the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction.”
