Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
TAKING ROOT The next generation of engineered wood products by Christine Morrissey W ood is the most technologically ad- vanced building material in the world." That statement from renowned archi- tect Michael Green about the world's oldest building material may seem surprising at �irst glance, but a showcase of remarkable structures that maximize the use of technologically advanced wood products in Canada underline Green's statement. A new generation of wood building products, sys- tems and techniques has come of age, making more complex wood structures possible. Engineered wood products ( EWPs) and mass timber panel systems, together with advanced building codes are expanding the use and opportunities for wood in construction. EWPs And Mass Timber There are a whole host of environmental and energy bene�its to using wood. Wood is entirely renewable, captures carbon and requires far less transport, since it's locally sourced. "We take great pride in pro- moting wood for its many bene�its, including it being our only renewable building material," states Rory Koska, technical advisor, Wood WORKS! Alberta. "Consumers can feel positive about using wood because, not only are forest companies legally obligated to manage the forest responsibly and sustainably, it's also in their best interest." Koska goes on to say the organization is encour- aged by the commitment to sustainable building practices in Alberta, notably the recent start on construction of the Mosaic Centre in " Edmonton, the province's �irst net zero of�ice building. Paul Sehn, director, ELP sales and technical services at Weyerhaeuser Company, agrees that the emphasis on sustainable buildings has resulted in an increased demand. "The focus on environmentally- responsible construction �its very well with forest products," says Sehn. "Our lumber, plywood and EWPs are obtained from responsibly-managed forests. Such forests are grown and harvested in ways that protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and are promptly reforested. Certi�ied wood is labelled by independent, third-party organizations. "When building designers choose wood, they are reducing the carbon footprint of the structure. Wood is the only major building material that stores carbon, thus keeping it out of the atmosphere." Realizing Wood's Potential Wood has always been the primary building material in residential construction, but it is in the areas of insti- tutional and commercial construction where there's so much more potential for expanded use of wood. Building and design solutions using EWPs and mass timber in larger, more complex structures are being fully embraced. There are many examples in B.C. that show how innovation in wood products, systems and techniques is paving the way for a revolution of changes in the way we build. The Ronald McDonald House of B.C. in Vancouver is one example of the more than 40 buildings that have been built with cross laminated timber. The Earth Sciences Building ( ESB) and the Centre for Research in Sustainability (CIRS), both at UBC, show �ine examples of the use of engineered wood columns and beams, as well as solid wood panels. Glulam posts and beams, which arrive on site pre-cut, including cut-outs for connectors, support all above-ground storeys of these buildings. Advances Being Made When it comes to advances being made in the sector, Andre Lema, business development manager for West- ern Archrib Structural Wood Systems, says his company uses sophisticated design software capable of creating a complete 3D model of the structural wood system. Fol- lowing the creation of this model, The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, Canmore Alberta. Photo: Steve Nagy Photography. Courtesy Wood WORKS! Alberta / Canadian Wood Council. JUNE 2014 /29 Engineered Wood Products Natural • Beautiful • reNewaBle • SuStaiNaBle • COSt-effeCtiVe • faSter tO BuilD • lOwer eNVirONmeNtal impaCt Bigger. Taller. Faster. A new generation of wood building products and systems has come of age. Laminated Strand Lumber Panels Glulam Columns and Beams Cross Laminated Timber Panels Glulam-On-Edge Panels www.wood-works.ca 1 877 929 9663 Designers in BC and around the world have embraced engineered wood products and systems in new and innovative applications. With growing pressure to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment, designers are increasingly being called upon to balance functionality and cost objectives with a reduced environmental impact. They are turning to engineered wood products and systems to help achieve that balance. The result: significant benefits in terms of structural performance, scale possibilities, and construction efficiency. Call Wood WORKS! BC today to learn how wood can enhance your next project. EarTh SciEncES Building parc riviEra (mid riSE conSTrucTion) wood innovaTion and dESign cEnTrE BioEnErgy rESEarch and dEmonSTraTion FaciliTy ElkFord communiTy conFErEncE cEnTrE uBco FiTnESS and wEllnESS cEnTrE cEnTrE For inTEracTivE rESEarch on SuSTainaBiliTy norTh vancouvEr civic cEnTrE rEnovaTion SurrEy mEmorial hoSpiTal 21 st Century Wood Design, Building and Construction Solutions A primer for contractors and builders EArth SCiEnCES BuilDing PArC riviErA (MiD-riSE COnStruCtiOn) WOOD innOvAtiOn AnD DESign CEntrE BiOEnErgy rESEArCh AnD DEMOnStrAtiOn FACility ElkFOrD COMMunity COnFErEnCE CEntrE uBCO FitnESS AnD WEllnESS CEntrE CEntrE FOr intErACtivE rESEArCh On SuStAinABility nOrth vAnCOuvEr CiviC CEntrE rEnOvAtiOn SurrEy MEMOriAl hOSPitAl A new generation of wood building products, systems and techniques has come of age, making bigger, taller and more complex wood buildings possible. 21st Century Wood Design, Building and Construction Solutions - A primer for contractors and builders. This comprehensive yet concise publication provides an overview of a new generation of wood building products, systems and techniques which are making bigger, taller and more complex wood buildings possible. This BC publication showcases where innovative wood products have been used in recent projects in BC and answers common questions. For your free copy, please visit: wood-works.ca/bc JUST RELEASED! Program MGA p.28-33Engineered.indd 29 14-06-06 4:14 PM