Award

J U N E 2 0 2 5 | 33 Engineered Wood Products P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y ACO US T I T EC H P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y H SS D E S I G N B U I L D P H OTO G R A P H Y BY R ED T H U N D ER M ED I A /CO U RT E S Y W E S T ER N A RC H R I B leaders – including Soprema, Fermacell, PAC International, Rothoblaas, and Artopex – allow the company to offer tailored, high-performance approaches to sound management. A major milestones ahead is AcoustiTECH's involvement in the DCI project, a world-class acoustic research facility in Quebec. "This will be one of the most advanced research and development acoustic labs of its kind," Rioux says. With the rising demand for mass timber, Western Archrib is investing in new technology to meet the needs of the expanding market. The company recently acquired a Hundegger CNC machine – the largest of its kind in North America for machining glulam. "With the market trending toward larger projects, CNC capacity can be a production limitation," says Andre Lema of Western Archrib. "This new machine expands our capabilities significantly." One of Western Archrib's latest projects is a massive ground-to-ground arch storage building in the Vancouver area. "The arch lengths were 167 feet [51 metres], covering a total of seven acres – one of our largest projects in 74 years," says Lema. "We took on the entire building design and supply scope above the foundations." Despite economic uncertainty, the company is moving ahead with growth. A new manufacturing facility near Edmonton, set to open this year, will triple pro- duction capacity – just as demand for Canadian-made products continues to climb. SHOWCASING B.C. In B.C., when it comes to innovative uses of engineered wood products, Annabelle Hamilton, technical manager of planning and development at Wood Works BC points to The Hive in Vancouver as a great example. This cutting-edge project is set to become America's largest timber-braced-frame structure, pushing the boundaries of design and construction. "It features an all-timber structural system with 105 seismic dampers, making it one of the world's most advanced earthquake-resistant timber buildings," Hamilton says. "The Hive showcases the potential of engineered wood in creating sustainable, resilient, high-rise structures, and serves as a model for future tall wood buildings." On the challenges facing the engineered wood sector, Hamilton notes that as demand for sustainable construction rises, mass timber is becoming a key solution for taller buildings. However, widespread adoption remains difficult due to market uncertainty and limitations within the growing supply chain. Furthermore, she highlights that innovation in the construction industry can be slow, driven by risk aversion and a lack of familiarity with new methods. To overcome these challenges, Hamilton says that early adopters are focusing on reducing costs through prefabrication, standardization, and scalability. "Investments in domestic production and workforce training are strengthening the supply chain, while knowledge- sharing, pilot projects, and collaboration among stakeholders are building confidence in engineered wood. Targeted incentives and policy support further drive adoption, positioning mass timber as a viable, sustainable alternative in modern high-rise construction." Another company making an impact in the mass timber sector is Seagate Mass Timber, with projects like the Marpole Community Centre, where it's replacing an aging facility with a modern, two-storey building nearly double its original size. In partnership with Heatherbrae Builders, Seagate is installing all mass timber and composite framing, including glulam columns, beams, a CLT floor system, and roof decking. Designed to meet Passive House certification, target LEED Gold, and reduce embodied carbon by 40 percent below the 2018 baseline, the facility aligns with Vancouver's sustainability goals. It's also pursuing the Canada Green Building Council's Zero Carbon Building Design v3 Standard. Seagate's expertise is in high demand, with other major projects like Vienna House, a collaboration with BC Housing, the City of Vancouver, and the More Than a Roof Housing Society, and the University of Fraser Valley Dining Hall Expansion, where Seagate installed CLT roof panels. DLT LEADS THE WAY International Timberframes is renowned for its expertise in timberframe and 100 percent wood DLT (dowel laminated timber) construction. The company's recent work includes high-profile projects like the Radium Hot Springs Community Centre, one of B.C.'s first public buildings to use DLT. Featuring a DLT roof supported by glulam beams and a charred wood exterior, the building also boasts exposed DLT panels inside, creating a dynamic ceiling finish. Another standout is the Banff Pavilion, built entirely from DLT and designed to meet Passive House standards. This energy-efficient structure is the most eco- friendly commercial building in Banff National Park, with a 100-year lifespan. It also offers community spaces, including a BBQ area, showers, and a kitchenette. International Timberframes is also behind the Mahon Childcare Centre in Vancouver and is working on the Brennan Park recreational centre expansion in Squamish and entry canopies for the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Sigi Liebmann, the company's founder, highlights the growing industry focus on carbon reduction and sustainability, particularly within ESG initia- tives. While the path to achieving carbon reductions through design and construction is still unfolding, the conversation is gaining traction. AcoustiTECH Sofix flooring system meets the accoustic requirements of mass timber buildings. Storage facility construction, Delta, B.C. The Banff Pavilion, Banff, AB

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