Building Canada’s Future With Wood
Course Overview This session will feature thought leaders in a podcast-style conversation exploring the evolving role of wood in Canadian construction. Through a series of rotating interviews, the discussion will highlight key themes including the rise of mass timber and tallwood buildings, the shift toward offsite construction, and wood’s potential to address the housing affordability crisis. The session offers a forward-looking yet grounded perspective on the opportunities and complexities shaping the industry. Learning Objectives Understand how mass timber and tall wood construction are transitioning from niche applications to mainstream use in Canadian mid- and high-rise buildings. Understand how prefabrication, modularization, and early team integration influence cost, schedule, and risk outcomes in wood construction projects. Explain how mass timber can support institutional, residential, and mixed-use project goals related to sustainability, constructability, and housing delivery. Course Video Speakers Bio Russell Hixson Editor SiteNews Russell Hixson is an award-winning investigative journalist who began his career covering crime and courts in the United States before transitioning into Canada’s construction sector. He spent eight years at the Journal of Commerce, where he developed deep expertise in the industry and its key issues. He has also reported on the federal budget from Ottawa and documented the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while working remotely. Hixson has developed a strong interest in the construction industry and is passionate about sharing its stories through SiteNews, with the goal of engaging and informing a broader audience. Jana Foit Principal, Higher Education Practice Lead Perkins&Will, Vancouver Jana Foit is a Principal and Higher Education Practice Lead at Perkins&Will’s Vancouver studio. With over two decades of experience, she has led numerous mass timber projects, including the Earth Science Building and Gateway Building at the University of British Columbia, as well as the BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on mass timber design and contributes to several industry publications, including the Nail Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide, the Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings, and the Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada. Robert Malczyk Principal Timber Engineering Inc. Robert Malczyk is one of a small number of university-trained specialized timber engineers. After completing his master’s degree at Warsaw University of Technology, he moved to Canada to study under the renowned Professor Borg Madsen at the University of British Columbia. In 1997, he co-founded Equilibrium Consulting Inc., contributing to award-winning projects such as the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Galleria Italia designed by Frank Gehry. In 2021, he co-founded Timber Engineering Inc. He currently works on projects across Canada, the United States, and Asia. His expertise focuses on a systems-based approach to mass timber design, with an emphasis on structural efficiency and energy performance. Andrew Stiffman Vice President, Construction Services Kalesnikoff Andrew Stiffman brings diverse project experience across single-family homes, large-scale passive house developments, and low- to mid-rise mass timber construction. At Kalesnikoff Mass Timber, he oversees the full project lifecycle of prefabricated and mass timber projects, from early-stage discussions through to completion. His background in building science, development management, and hands-on high-performance construction enables him to combine technical expertise with practical delivery, leading multidisciplinary teams to successful project outcomes.
Mass Timber Economics: Why One Line Item Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Course Overview Mass timber buildings are often perceived as premium projects, but assumptions based on a single cost line can be misleading. This session explores the complexities of costing mass timber construction and highlights why a holistic, team-based approach is essential from the earliest stages of design. Attendees will gain insights into common pitfalls for cost consultants and learn how early architectural decisions such as grid spacing and aesthetic goals can significantly influence both cost and structural efficiency. The speakers will emphasize the importance of clear project objectives when setting the initial budget and outline best practices for cost predictability, including robust scope management, design reviews, and obtaining competitive bids from multiple timber suppliers. The session will also examine the role of architects in informing cost decisions, strategies for improved procurement and scheduling, and how to leverage mass timber’s expedited on-site phase. Learning Objectives Understand the complexities of mass timber costing: Participants will be able to explain why relying on a single cost line item is misleading and identify key factors—such as grid spacing and aesthetic goals—that influence overall project cost and structural efficiency. Apply best practices for cost predictability in mass timber projects: Learners will be able to outline strategies for achieving accurate budgets, including robust scope management, design reviews, and obtaining competitive bids from multiple timber suppliers. Recognize the role of collaboration in successful mass timber delivery: Attendees will be able to describe how architects, developers, and contractors can work together from early design stages to improve procurement, scheduling, and leverage mass timber’s expedited on-site phase. Course Video Speakers Bio Marlon Bray Executive Vice President Clark Construction Management Inc. Mass timber buildings are often perceived as premium projects, but assumptions based on a single cost line can be misleading. This session explores the complexities of costing mass timber construction and highlights why a holistic, team-based approach is essential from the earliest stages of design. Attendees will gain insights into common pitfalls for cost consultants and learn how early architectural decisions such as grid spacing and aesthetic goals can significantly influence both cost and structural efficiency. The speakers will emphasize the importance of clear project objectives when setting the initial budget and outline best practices for cost predictability, including robust scope management, design reviews, and obtaining competitive bids from multiple timber suppliers. The session will also examine the role of architects in informing cost decisions, strategies for improved procurement and scheduling, and how to leverage mass timber’s expedited on-site phase. Mathieu Fleury Partner Leader Lane Developments Mathieu combines a merchant developer mentality with institutional discipline to drive Leader Lane Developments’ ambitious urban projects. He holds a Masters in Real Estate Finance from The University of Cambridge and has over 15 years of experience with industry leaders, including Loblaw Properties Limited, Great Gulf, and Dream Unlimited. Over the course of his career, Mathieu has shaped over 15,000 residential units and 7 million square feet of development across Canada. With his entrepreneurial spirit and analytical mindset, he steers Leader Lane’s growth in Toronto’s dynamic mid-rise sector. Mathieu’s strategic leadership ensures each project balances innovation with strong financial performance, delivering communities that enhance the urban experience while maximizing investor value. Jonathan King Principal BNKC Architects Inc. An architect and design leader with nearly 30 years of experience, Jonathan has worked across the full spectrum of residential, institutional, and cultural projects across Canada—from university buildings and theatres to large-scale multi-residential developments. He’s led teams at firms such as Diamond and Schmitt, HOK, and Core Architects, and is now a Principal at BNKC, where he helps steer complex projects from early concept through to completion. Jonathan’s recent work has included multiple mid- and high-rise residential and commercial buildings that integrate new construction technologies—including hybrid and mass timber structures—within tight urban contexts. His background brings a deep understanding of how codes, construction logistics, and market realities shape design decisions. He’s particularly interested in how architects can help unlock the potential of mass timber by working more collaboratively with clients, engineers, and municipalities to address the barriers standing.
Architectural Assemblies Simplified: Understanding Structural Grids: Acoustics and Envelopes in Wood Buildings
Course Overview This session will help you to formulate effective floor and wall assemblies when designing wood structures, both light wood frame and mass timber. Discussion will cover typical fire ratings and strategies, acoustic performance of different assemblies and effective strategies for weather-tight exterior envelopes. Background on typical structural assemblies for different grid sizes will help you understand how to effectively develop complete assemblies when designing timber buildings. Learning Objectives Participants will understand how to formulate effective floor and wall assemblies for wood structures, including both light wood frame and mass timber, to optimize performance and design efficiency. Participants will understand typical fire ratings and the acoustic performance of various assemblies and gain strategies to enhance the safety and comfort of wood buildings. Participants will learn how to design weather-tight, high-performance exterior envelopes for wood buildings. Participants will discover typical structural assemblies for different grid sizes and learn how to effectively develop complete assemblies when designing timber buildings. Course Video Speaker Bio Michael Wilkinson Principal and Senior Building Science Engineer RDH Michael Wilkinson is a Principal and Senior Building Science Engineer at RDH. He has provided consulting services across a range of building typologies with a focus on high performance and innovative building projects including those that are Passive House, mass timber, and volumetric modular. Michael has also been involved in numerous research projects including product development and performance monitoring and is the lead author of several guideline documents for government agencies and building enclosure product manufacturers. Additionally, Michael is a part-time instructor at the BC Institute of Technology where he teaches building science and construction technology classes. Derek Ratzlaff, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., PE Technical Director, WoodWorks BC Canadian Wood Council Derek began his career in the wood industry in high school working on single and multi-family light wood construction, after university and almost 20 years of structural consulting experience, Derek has worked in all types of wood construction and played key roles in the delivery of iconic BC wood structures, the Richmond Olympic Oval and Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre. He brings his experience in design and construction to support the industry as the Woodworks BC Technical Director.
