Egurtek has unveiled the finalist projects for the eighth edition of its prestigious awards. These accolades celebrate pioneering achievements in timber architecture, honouring projects for their architectural excellence, commitment to sustainable development, and seamless integration of wood as a core design element.

This year’s competition drew a total of 81 entries across three primary categories: 54 in Building, 18 in Interior Design, and 9 in Product Design. From this shortlist, the jury will also select the recipients of two special distinctions: the ‘Madera Local (Basque Quality)’ award and the ‘Bois/Egurra/Madera (BEM)’ award. Meanwhile, the Egurtek Steering Committee will independently select the winner of the Outreach category.

Following rigorous deliberation, the jury has shortlisted the following finalists:

  • Building (5 finalists): Muimenta Social Centre, Haus Anton II, the refurbishment of the Zarautz Palace into a new cultural venue, the Infinito Delicias building, and Oceanika.
  • Interior Design (3 finalists): Interior Renovation of the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature in Zaragoza, DBH Hankaz gora!, and Oslo Cowork.
  • Product Design (3 finalists): New Patented Wood-to-Wood Joining Systems adapted to U-shapes; Hybrid industrialised concrete slabs and laminated timber beams for long-span spaces; and the pr Series (chair & stool).
  • BEM Category (3 finalists): Tiki-Toki Community Centre, Bilbao Bizkaia Museoa, and MUGAKHABIT[atu]Z.
  • Basque Quality Category (3 finalists): House in Serra D’Ordal, Agricultural Warehouse in Lamixene, and The Woods: Transforming the Aberanga Txikia Farmhouse.

The jury is chaired by José María González-Pinto, Dean of the Basque-Navarrese Official Association of Architects (COAVN), and comprises distinguished representatives from Arrokabe, Baskegur, the Bizkaia Official Association of Designers and Interior Decorators, the University of the Basque Country (EHU), the Basque Design Association (EIDE), and DPA Arquitectura.

The winners will be announced during the Egurtek Awards ceremony on 28 October at Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC), concluding the event’s opening day. The ceremony will gather leading professionals, institutions, studios, and businesses from across the timber and architecture sectors Additionally, the panels of the submitted entries can be viewed on the COAVN website – Egurtek Awards section – and will also be available to visit in the Egurtek 2026 Expo Zone, offering attendees a detailed look at the diverse and innovative applications of wood showcased this year.

The Egurtek Awards – with COAVN serving as the technical secretariat – honour the visionaries expanding our understanding of timber’s potential in contemporary construction. By fostering knowledge transfer and driving innovation, the awards play a pivotal role in positioning wood as a strategic material for a more sustainable, competitive future in construction.

Egurtek is organised by the Bilbao Exhibition Centre with the institutional backing of the Basque Government’s Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries. The event is delivered in close collaboration with Baskegur (the Basque Wood Association), COAVN, the Bilbao School of Engineering Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (University of the Basque Country), and Infoedita.