New Zealand's first timber framed modular "box" home, a courtyard show garden and a sustainable farm kitchen are just three of the 48 individual design projects making up the record number of entries received for the 2009 Timber Design Awards. The awards recognise and encourage excellence in building design, engineering and construction using New Zealand timber.

Geoff Henley of awards sponsor NZ Wood says: "It is great to have received even more entries than last year and to see a continuation of the high standard we've come to expect.

"A number of entries qualify for more than one category, reflecting the inter-connectedness of today's building and engineering disciplines."

Categories this year are: Residential Architectural Excellence, Residential Engineering Excellence, Commercial Architectural Excellence, Commercial Engineering Excellence, Sustainability, Outdoor Infrastructure, Cladding Building Envelope and Interior Fit Out.

This year sees the introduction for the first time of online voting for the popular People's Choice Award. All entries can be viewed and voted for by visiting the website www.nzwood.co.nz

The awards will be held on 27th October at the Langham Hotel in Auckland. The event will be hosted by media personality Bill Ralston, with guest speaker Chris Kelly of Wellington's Architecture Workshop.

The awards are sponsored by NZ Wood in partnership with Carter Holt Harvey, the New Zealand Timber Design Society and McIntosh Timber Laminates.