We are delighted to share that three UK projects using Treet fire-retardant solutions have been selected as finalists in the 2026 Structural Timber Awards.
At a glance
3 finalist projects
3 award categories
3 different building typologies
~90% exposed internal timber at The Beeches
1,575 seats in the new Olympia Theatre
Why timber architecture matters now
The Structural Timber Awards celebrate projects and teams advancing innovation, sustainability and outstanding design in UK timber construction. Their relevance is growing. The UK Government's 2025 Timber in Construction Roadmap identifies the safe and sustainable use of timber as an important part of the transition towards lower-carbon construction.
For architects, however, greater use of timber also brings an important design challenge: How can the material remain visible and central to the architecture while fire performance is addressed from the earliest stages of the project? These three projects offer three different answers.
Olympia Theatre forms part of the wider transformation of Olympia in West London into a major destination for culture, entertainment and live performance.
Designed by Haworth Tompkins, the new 1,575-seat theatre is a significant addition to London's cultural infrastructure and has been described by the architects as the largest new permanent London theatre since the National Theatre was completed in 1976.
Timber was incorporated into the auditorium seating structure as part of a complex hybrid construction strategy.
The challenge
The project presented significant logistical challenges. Working conditions were restricted, storage space was extremely limited and the timber package needed to be carefully coordinated with the wider construction programme. Treating the timber once installed would also have made access to certain surfaces significantly more difficult.
The approach
To reduce on-site activities, a Treet fire-retardant solution was applied to the timber elements in the factory before delivery.
A coloured treatment was selected because the treated surfaces would not remain visible in the completed auditorium. This gave the project team a clear visual indication of coverage and made it easier to identify potential damage during transport or installation.
The outcome
Factory treatment reduced specialist coating work within the constrained auditorium, improved access to difficult surfaces, and supported a more controlled and efficient installation process.
Olympia demonstrates how timber, hybrid construction and factory-applied fire protection can work together in complex commercial environments.
Set within the Chiltern Hills overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury, The Beeches is a contemporary office development where timber is not simply a construction material — it defines the architectural experience of the building.
Approximately 90% of the internal timber remains exposed, creating warm, generous working spaces and establishing a strong material relationship with the surrounding landscape.
The challenge
With such an extensive area of visible timber, fire performance and architectural appearance had to be considered together.
The solution needed to support the project's fire strategy while respecting the natural appearance and consistency of the exposed surfaces.
The approach
A Treet fire-retardant solution was site-applied by ConstruktCLT through a rigorous quality-assurance process.
The application process was designed around both technical requirements and the visual expectations of an interior where the timber itself forms a major part of the finished architecture.
The outcome
The completed building demonstrates how structure, interior character and fire protection can be considered as part of one coordinated design strategy.
The Beeches provides a strong reference for architects and developers exploring large-scale exposed timber in contemporary workplaces.
Architect: Russian for Fish
Client: Private client
Building type: Private residential house
Brockley Rise is a timber-led self-build home located on a highly constrained urban site in South London. Rather than concealing the construction behind additional finishes, timber forms both a key part of the building and much of its interior character. The result is a home in which the material, structure and architectural expression remain closely connected.
The challenge
Because the timber was intentionally left exposed, fire performance needed to be addressed without hiding the natural material behind additional internal finishes.
At the same time, the compact site provided very limited storage and working space, making an efficient construction sequence essential.
The approach
The exposed internal timber surfaces were treated with a Treet fire-retardant solution, supporting the project's fire-performance strategy while preserving the warmth, character and natural appearance of the wood.
The outcome
The result is a compact urban home where structure, finish and fire performance are integrated into one coherent timber strategy.
Prefabrication also supported efficient installation on a site with very limited storage and working space while reducing the requirement for additional internal finishes.
Brockley Rise demonstrates how exposed timber can support high-quality residential architecture even in demanding urban conditions.
- A private home.
- A major theatre.
- A contemporary workplace.
The scale, application and architectural ambitions of these projects are very different. But each addresses the same fundamental question:
How do you protect timber while keeping the material central to the architecture?
These projects demonstrate that fire protection does not need to be considered as an afterthought. When addressed early, it can become part of the wider design, manufacturing and construction strategy.
We are proud to have collaborated with the teams behind these projects and congratulate Haworth Tompkins, Russian for Fish, Gollifer Langston, ConstruktCLT, Philips Build, Studio Allen, TEG, Make One and everyone involved in bringing them to life.
The winners of the 2026 Structural Timber Awards will be announced on 7 October 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.