The Wood Innovation and Design Centre in downtown Prince George has won a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture.

The building, designed by Michael Green Architecture, was one of 12 buildings across Canada that earned the prestigious honour which were announced by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Canada Council for the Arts May 19 in Ottawa. It’s an award that is handed out every two years.

The five-member jury found that the 12 winning projects reflect themes of connection, revitalization and experimentation.

The WIDC is an eight-storey building that stands at 29.5 metres tall and is one of the world’s tallest modern all timber structures. It features inventive use of wood solutions to solve every-day design and construction challenges, while demonstrating the beauty and diversity of value-added B.C. wood products.

The WIDC serves as a gathering place of researchers, academics, design professionals and others interested in bringing new and innovative ideas into northern B.C.

Taking only 15 months to build, it opened in 2014. It includes classrooms, shops, and a lecture theatre. The first three floors are used for UNBC programs, including Master of Integrated Wood Design. The program’s shop is on the main floor.

Emily Carr University of Art and Design occupies the middle floors; and the upper floors provide office space for government and wood-industry related organizations.

A complete list of winners can be found online at https://www.raic.org/news/2016-governor-generals-medals-architecture-honour-outstanding-buildings-across-canada