Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1274063
42 | J U LY 2 0 2 0 Engineered Wood Products P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY W E S T ER N A RC H R I B; T EC H N I C A L D R AW I N G CO U RT E SY S T RU C T U R L A M P RO DU C T S LT D.; R EN D ER I N G BY D I A LO G/CO U RT E SY FA S T + EP P cool and a real showpiece for Clayton. It features a stunning and unique roof design using reciprocal framing, concealed factory installed connections, and CNC accuracy," says Lema. In addition to recreation centres and post second- ary schools (which today better understand the span capability of engineered wood), Western Archrib was involved with two new Buddhist temples. "The Buddhists from the PoLam Buddhist Temple in Chilliwack came to Edmonton as they wanted to see and feel the beams. The temple features stun- ning Glulam arches, and other wood construction, which provide a welcoming, warming space created to enhance the meditation spaces of the Vihara." Fast + Epp is also excited about the approval by the City of Vancouver for the construction of wood for commercial and residential projects of up to 12-sto- reys, saying this is great news for the AEC community. Following the Tallwood House at Brock Commons, Fast + Epp has seen heightened recognition and demand for tall timber buildings. The up-and-com- ing 10-storey timber office known as 2150 Keith Drive in Vancouver is poised to stand amongst the tallest timber braced frame and CLT shearwall projects in North America at the time of construction. Testing Megant concealed beam hanger inter- storey drift for 2150 Keith Drive is just one of the few mass timber testing programs Fast + Epp has in place in their efforts to push the boundaries forward for tall wood construction. This specific testing pro- gram aims to establish the rotational capacity of the project specific Megant concealed beam hanger to ensure that these gravity connections are able to withstand the movement this type of building would experience in a seismic event. Other groups have also identified a need for larger three- and four-storey schools, such as the Vancouver School Board. In collaboration with Wood Works! BC and Thinkspace Architecture and Interior Design, Fast + Epp created a design and construction guide for taller timber schools, which includes a range of wood construction options, including both light wood frame and mass timber. Structurlam is another company that contin- ues to see exciting growth. In late 2019 the company announced its expansion into the U.S. with a manu- facturing facility in Conway Arkansas, set to open in 2021. B.C. Premier John Horgan's recent announcement recognizing the industry's economic contribution to the province, and its capacity to achieve the prov- ince's sustainability goals, has no doubt helped. "Coming out of a global pandemic, it has become clear that there's a strong need for Canada's build- ings and interiors to be constructed with a lot of care and thought. Right now, efficient timelines, clean job sites, and occupant well-being are of the utmost importance. Wood buildings go a long way towards these goals," says Hardy Wentzel, CEO. While admittedly converting an industry that, traditionally, is grounded in concrete and steel, will take time – Structurlam knows that slow and steady wins the race. "The manufacturers and develop- ers working with mass timber have a responsibility to educate the industry about the product. There is some pressure for those on the front lines to get it right the first time, producing stunning projects that showcase the beauty and value mass timber construction can bring in a very tangible way. But if industry leaders begin to slowly chip away at chal- lenges related to market adoption, they will quickly usher mass timber's transition into mainstream construction," says Wentzel. Structurlam is currently working on a number of exciting projects. One of which is TallWood, which is scheduled to begin construction on site in Q1 of 2021. This 12-storey mixed-use commercial and residen- tial project will be the first building featuring mass timber under the new code provision allowing for 12-storey mass timber construction. Another project of note is Sir Mathew Begbie Elementary School. This project includes seismically replacing the at-risk school with a state-of-the-art building on the same site, including a Neighbourhood Learning Centre. The new school will be built to LEED Gold standard and will support B.C.'s new cur- riculum with modern and open learning spaces. Over in Alberta, Rory Koska, program director for Canadian Wood Council/Alberta Wood Works!, says that despite the shaky economy at present he is seeing an uptake of interest in tall wood build- ings following Alberta's early adoption of the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). "We are currently tracking 10 projects in Alberta that are taller wood buildings and are strong candi- dates for going forward," he says. "We are also seeing designers and developers exploring wood systems for commercial building application and a greater demand for schools too. We have a couple of schools in Calgary that are full wood buildings. In fact both were originally designed in steel but became cost prohibitive, so they were re-designed in wood and were shown to be economical and came in under budget. I expect to see more use of mass wood prod- ucts in educational facilities, multi-family, and low rise commercial." To create a better understanding, the Canadian Wood Council/Alberta Wood Works! is creating a couple of "recipe books" on how to build cost-effec- tively with wood, which is expected to result in further acceptance and see a market change. As for systems and products out there, Koska says that companies like StructureCraft's DowelLam (Dowel Laminated Timber – DLT Timber) is mak- ing waves as it can be used on floor, wall, and roof structures and involves no glue or nails. These solid wood panels use hardwood dowels to friction fit pre- milled boards together on edge, creating a panel which is particularly efficient for horizontal spans and allows for much architectural flexibility. He also refers to Western Archrib's glulam tim- ber that bonds with structural adhesives, and Edmonton-based ACQBuilt who recently finished a six-storey, mid-rise apartment building in two weeks. "They are an interesting group and generally service the residential market, but are getting into the commercial and mid-rise sector. They use all engineered wood framing and engineered studs. A great group that are very forward-thinking." continued on page 47 Sir Mathew Begbie Elementary School, Vancouver, B.C. 2150 Keith Drive, Vancouver, B.C. PoLam Buddhist Temple, Chilliwack, B.C.