Homerton College’s dining hall is named best new timber building at Wood Awards

Homerton College’s dining hall has struck gold at the Wood Awards, where it was named the UK’s best new timber building.

It was praised by judges for celebrating the integrity and beauty of its materials, from design to craftsmanship, and for the welcoming, inspiring space it creates.

Designed by architects Feilden Fowles and structural engineers Structure Workshop, it was built by Barnes Construction, with joinery from Classic Barfitting. The wood supplier was Constructional Timber.

The energy efficient dining hall, buttery, kitchens and associated amenities at the University of Cambridge college impressed judges thanks to the harmony of the structure with the rest of the college, which they said allow for light and flow from the garden and to other areas of the college to create a building both “natural and iconic”.

It beat more than 200 buildings in the UK to claim the Gold Award, and also won the Education category and the Structural Award.

The University of Cambridge’s Magdelene College Library won the prize last year, before going on to win the Stirling Prize.