Award

J U N E 2 0 2 4 | 27 Engineered Wood Products P H OTO G R A P H Y BY K K L AW/CO U RT E S Y N AT U R A L LY WO O D.CO M He further elaborates that "such initiatives help developers mitigate cost and risk premiums associ- ated with newer construction methods, fostering the growth of the mass timber market." B.C., Quebec, and Ontario have also announced plans to expand their building codes to permit 18-storey Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) with additional occupancies and reduced encapsulation requirements. Keyes notes, "This alignment with the International Building Code [IBC] in the U.S. opens up new markets for mass timber, simplifying code compliance pathways pro- cesses previously limited to alternative solutions." Keyes highlights The Hive, a 10-storey mass timber commercial office building in Vancouver, as an exemplary project. Notably, it employs a lat- eral system comprising CLT shear walls and timber braced frames. Once completed, it will stand as North America's tallest timber-braced frame building, show- casing the possibilities of engineered wood products, particularly in seismic regions like Vancouver. Looking ahead, Keyes anticipates a growing demand for affordable rental properties in the seven to 18 storey range, presenting a significant opportunity for mass timber. He also notes that engineered wood products, including I-joists, excel in mid-rise applications for five or six storey build- ings, offering affordable construction options with low embodied carbon. ESCAL ATING DEMAND This heightened interest spans across diverse sec- tors, as evidenced by the experiences of Beam Craft, which is witnessing a significant uptick in demand. Jason Beamish, partner, sales and market- ing at Beam Craft, elaborates on this trend: "We're now seeing the emergence of multi-storey struc- tures," he explains. "This year, we're embarking on a five-storey condo project in Saskatoon, marking our first multi-storey endeavour in Saskatchewan. Previously, our focus in the region had been pri- marily institutional projects. Additionally, we're undertaking another multi-storey project at the University of the Fraser Valley, and of course edu- cational institutions have been instrumental in driving mass timber initiatives." Like Koska, Beamish notes the rise in hybrid structures, where combining materials presents both opportunities and challenges. "While 'hybrid' is the buzzword in our sector, we must address chal- lenges such as quality assurance. Ensuring precision in bearing locations when transitioning between mass timber, steel, and concrete is crucial. Although we possess the techniques and technology, continual improvement is imperative for the industry." MEETING THAT DEMAND As engineered wood's popularity continues to soar, evidenced by Kalesnikoff Mass Timber's expansion plans, meeting that demand is imperative. With the announcement of a third facility and new prod- uct lines, expected to open at the end of this year, Kalesnikoff aims to solidify its position as a leader and innovator in meeting the evolving needs of the construction industry. "We have experienced consistently strong interest and demand in our initial mass timber investment announced almost exactly five years ago," said Chris Kalesnikoff, COO of Kalesnikoff Mass Timber. "This additional offering of leading mass timber products and services for the North American construction industry will support mass timber buildings including student and workforce housing, prefabricated housing, and other mass timber projects." The expansion includes offerings such as mod- ular construction, prefabricated mass timber, and light frame components, catering to the increasing demand for sustainable building materials."This new initiative creates more opportunity to work in partnership with current and new construction industry customers to create and manufacture cus- tomized pre-fabricated solutions and products for growing and evolving housing types and needs." PROJECTS HIGHLIGHT VERSATILIT Y The innovative use of engineered wood in projects like the City of Sunnyvale's mass timber build- ing exemplifies the remarkable versatility of this sustainable construction material. Kinsol Timber Systems was involved in the construction of the building that was spearheaded by XL. Together, the design-build team completed the five-storey office structure in a remarkable 12 weeks. This project stands as a pioneering endeavour in the Bay Area, utilizing the emerging sustainable construction material. The 92-foot-tall fully elec- tric office building features exposed timber beams, wooden ceilings, and concrete flooring. Moreover, the project underscores the signifi- cance of collaborative partnerships in advancing sustainable initiatives. Achieving LEED Platinum certification, the building boasts a compelling nar- rative of co-operation – from the City's commitment to sustainability to the visionary designs by Michael Green Architecture and SER A Architects, supported by the structural expertise of Equilibrium, and the dedication to excellence of mass timber inno- vators like Kinsol Timber Systems and Elevated Construction Services. EMERGING TRENDS When it comes to trends, one that is being observed by the experts at Western Archrib is a growing interest in Spruce glulam. According to Andre Lema, manager of business development, this trend is attributed to its light and bright wood tones, offer- ing a consistent look and colour across laminations. He notes that the product is also receptive to stains/ custom finishes. Since joining the Northland Group of Companies in 2021, Western Archrib has experienced remark- able growth. Lema emphasizes the synergy between the two entities and the role Spruce Pine has to play: "Our collaboration with Northland has been instru- mental in meeting the growing demand. Their focus on producing Spruce aligns perfectly with our needs, providing the highest quality input fibre and guar- anteed supply," explains Lema, speaking from the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland. CLT shear wall installation at The Hive, Vancouver, B.C. P H OTO G R A P H Y BY C H R I S TO P H E B EN A R D/CO U RT E S Y W E S T ER N A RC H R I B P H OTO G R A P H Y BY U P P ER L EF T P H OTO G R A P H Y/CO U RT E S Y N OVACO M B U I L D I N G PA RT N ER S Waap Sa'mn (House of Spruce), Coast Mountain College, Terrace, B.C. Spruce Pine glulam on display at Saddle Lake Elementary School, Saddle Lake, AB.

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