Celebrating a decade of innovation with RIBA Journal and West Fraser

This year marks 10 years of creative collaboration between RIBA Journal and West Fraser, inspired by the continued support of the Taylor Alden team. Jan-Carlos Kucharek, Deputy Editor of RIBAJ, reflects on the competition.

Over the past decade, this partnership has sparked an annual string of thought-provoking and playful design competitions, inviting architects and RIBA members to explore the potential of SterlingOSB Zero board in imaginative and unexpected ways. These have not only showcased the versatility of the material; they have drawn hundreds of entries from our readers across the UK and beyond – we even had a winner from Chile.

A legacy of creativity

The competition’s themes have challenged participants to think differently using SterlingOSB Zero, resulting in a rich seam of ideas and designs, developed over the years, with a few of the highlights including:

‘Cabanon – Reimagining Le Corbusier’s Iconic Retreat’. This first brief asked entrants to reinterpret Le Corbusier’s minimalist seaside cabin, using modern materials and sensibilities to explore the notion of retreat; one of simplicity and architectural purity.

‘Off Grid 2030’ – A future-focused brief asked architects to design off-grid dwellings embracing sustainability, resilience, and independence pushing boundaries of eco-conscious design.

‘Raise the Roof’, which asked architects to add to an existing building to create stunning new functions and uses. Or ‘Room in a Room’, which challenged readers to take Antonello’s painting ‘St Jerome in his Study’ as a lunch pad for dramatically reconfiguring internal spaces.

Other competitions meanwhile saw winners address homelessness, multigenerational living, rethinking redundant department stores and venues for the Commonwealth Games. The iteration of scales and themes over the years has been sublimated in our 10th anniversary competition, where our theme ‘The Powers of Ten’ asked readers to take inspiration from Charles and Ray Eames’ eponymous film to generate designs shifting our perception of space and proportion.

Each competition culminates in winners being published in RIBAJ and a celebratory event for entrants and readers – with engaging talks from invited speakers, all based around each competition’s theme. The event not only engages the architectural community, but it also delivers exceptional visibility and value for West Fraser.

This ongoing success has been facilitated via the strategic collaboration and tireless support of the marketing team. From amplifying campaign reach to ensuring consistent messaging and media impact, the team has played a pivotal role in maximising opportunities and delivering a strong return on investment for West Fraser.

As we celebrate this 10-year journey, with the Powers of Ten winners being showcased in RIBA Journal’s October issue, we aspire to keep pushing the boundaries of design, material innovation and creative storytelling together.