1 Jun 2026
,Germany
During the annual National Timber Award ceremony, which took place on November 18 at the De Nobelaer Theater in Etten-Leur, the Sawa residential timber house in Rotterdam won the top prize of the 2025 edition. The prestigious event highlights the most innovative timber construction projects in the Netherlands. Of the 77 pre-selected projects, the jury awarded six awards.
The Sawa project, a 50-meter-high building by NICE Developers, was highly praised for its technical and social qualities. The jury noted that the building is a landmark in the field of high-rise timber construction and sets new standards by combining housing for purchase and medium-term rental. The social component makes Sawa a model project for future urban development.
The integration of biodiversity is particularly noteworthy: native vegetation on all floors, as well as elements that attract birds and bats, create a balance between urban life and nature. The jury emphasized that ecological integration is crucial, as the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices is constantly growing.
Another award-winning project - the ‘Serial Timber’ construction - Valckensteyn from Rotterdam - demonstrates the versatility of wood in urban projects, showing efficiency and scalability without compromising on quality or aesthetics.
The 2025 edition of De Houtdag highlighted the rapid growth of wood as a sustainable building material, solving environmental problems and opening up new possibilities for architectural expression and urban renewal. Projects such as Sawa and Valckensteyn confirm that the Netherlands remains a pioneer in implementing socially and environmentally responsible building solutions, setting an important precedent for the future of wooden construction.
