Mass Timber Industrial Buildings and Warehouses
Course Overview The emerging use of mass timber in industrial buildings presents promising opportunities that are shaping the future of construction in this sector. As a sustainable and economically competitive alternative, mass timber is redefining what is possible in industrial construction, a field traditionally dominated by prefabricated steel. An analysis of two cutting-edge projects in Sudbury, Ontario, highlights key advantages, including cost competitiveness, reduced embodied carbon, and superior aesthetic appeal. The insights from these two projects present stakeholders with helpful considerations and valuable strategies for integrating mass timber into future developments. Learning Objectives Participants will learn how to create flexible, multi-tenant industrial layouts using mass timber systems that are able to accommodate evolving tenant needs. Participants will gain insight into how early-stage collaboration with mass timber suppliers streamlines design, engineering, and construction processes. Participants will gain insight into the role of mass timber in biophilic design, and how its visual warmth and natural materials contribute to wellness-centred spaces that appeal to tenants. Participants will understand how mass timber can be a cost-competitive alternative to steel, especially in volatile markets, and assess its impact on embodied carbon and sustainability goals. Course Video Speakers Bio Darian Sweeney, B.Sc., B.B.A Chief Operating Officer Bloomington Developments Born and raised in Greater Sudbury, Darian holds dual bachelor’s degrees from Laurentian University – in Biochemistry and Business Administration with a specialization in finance. In December of 2021, he joined Bloomington Developments, a real estate investor and developer in Greater Sudbury with a focus on commercial and industrial assets. While he has had the chance to apply his skills in capital budgeting, asset valuation, financial forecasting, and cost tracking in his time with Bloomington, his first major role with the company was unrelated to his educational background: overseeing the two concurrent mass timber building projects that are the subject of this seminar. Darian now manages all construction projects – whether new builds or renovations – and negotiates all leases across the company’s portfolio, in addition to his roles as primary liaison on legal, administrative, tenant relations, marketing, and business development matters. Patrick Danielson, OAA + AIBC, MRAIC Founder and Principal Danielson Architecture Office Inc. Patrick holds a degree in Biomedical Science and a graduate degree from the School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. Combining these disciplines, he developed a unique “genetic design” approach — an evolving architectural strategy informed by biological principles. Patrick has expanded this framework through academic research, patented innovations, private sector projects, biological studies, and his experience as a pilot.
Harnessing Prefabrication: How to Navigate the Design and Construction Process
Course Overview This course offers an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of modular and prefabricated construction. The course will explore how to evaluate and integrate different levels of prefabrication based on project goals, site conditions, and logistical constraints. Key topics include site planning, design coordination, transportation logistics, and navigating regulatory requirements. We’ll also delve into technical considerations—comparing mass timber and drywall fire ratings, evaluating STC performance, and planning for MEP sub-module integration. The session will conclude with strategies for structural design of modular systems and insights on avoiding common post-construction pitfalls. Grounded in lessons learned from a completed multi-family volumetric modular CLT project, this presentation offers practical tools for design professionals, engineers, and developers looking to optimize prefabrication in their projects. Learning Objectives Understand key decision-making criteria for selecting appropriate prefabrication strategies. Apply a framework for integrating prefabrication into project planning and delivery. Recognize technical challenges and solutions in modular design, including fire ratings, acoustics, and MEP coordination. Identify best practices for optimizing structural integration and avoiding post-construction issues. Course Video Speaker Bio Melissa Kindratsky Head of Engineering Kalesnikoff Devin Harding Sales Manager Kalesnikoff
Delivering Mid-Rise Housing Solutions – Part 2 Mass Timber
Course Overview WoodWorks Ontario proudly presents Delivering Mid-Rise Housing Solutions Part 2: Mass Timber. YWKW is a supportive housing project that obtained funding from the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative in Kitchener. This project optimized mass timber design that resulted in time and cost savings during construction. We will hear from the perspective of Element 5, Edge Architects, RDH and Melloul Blamey. They will discuss how important preconstruction planning is and getting all parties involved early. Each role will discuss their roles that lead to a quick and successful project. Learning Objectives Understand the application and benefits of prefabricated mass timber construction in mid-rise housing developments – speed up construction processes and address housing crises. Analyze the project management and logistical challenges involved in executing mid-rise housing projects with prefabricated materials. Evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability benefits of using mass timber in residential construction. Discuss the implications of using prefabricated mass timber on the regulatory and approval processes in construction projects. Course Video Speaker Bio Patrick Chouinard Founder and VP of Market Strategy & Corporate Communications Element5 Patrick Chouinard is the Founder and VP of Market Strategy & Corporate Communications at Element5, the newest and most technologically advanced CLT and glulam manufacturer in North America, and the only CLT producer in Ontario. Patrick’s specialty lies in his ability to orchestrate mass timber solutions together with a consortium of the industry’s best service providers with experience in mass timber. He is the driving force behind a rapidly growing company that not only manufactures mass timber components, but also provides a complete range of services to successfully execute timber construction projects on a large scale. Patrick believes mass timber is the essential building material of the 21st century and Element5 is proud to manufacture their products from sustainably managed local sources. Patrick is a passionate advocate for construction industry transformation and believes that prefabricated mass timber construction is the key to the significant gains in construction efficiency and building performance that we need to meet our significant housing and infrastructure needs in a sustainable way that contributes to a low carbon future. Matt Bolen, BAS, M.Arch, OAA, MRAIC, CPHD Founding Partner Edge Architects Matt Bolen is one of the founding partners of Edge Architects in Waterloo, Ontario. Edge’s portfolio encompasses a wide range of project types for a diverse client base. In addition to providing professional consulting services, the firm has been involved in several innovative research and development initiatives. Matt’s area of expertise is multi-residential building design with a specific focus on mid-rise (the missing middle) and attainable housing models. His professional interests include modular/ prefabrication, mass timber construction, and high-performance/ energy efficient design. In addition to being a Licenced Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects, Matt is a Certified Passive House Designer and has prior experience as both an energy auditor and small building contractor. Further to his role as a principal at Edge, Matt is a lecturer at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture for the graduate level Architectural Professional Practice course. Matt is himself a graduate of Waterloo Architecture where his master’s thesis was focused on urban revitalization of mid-sized cities using Kitchener-Waterloo as a case study city. Jeffrey B. Shantz Partner Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. Jeff Shantz is a partner of the general contracting firm, Melloul-Blamey Construction based out of Waterloo, Ontario. The firm was founded in 1982 and is active in Public Bid, Design Build, Construction Management and Property Development. Jeff manages Project Development at the firm and oversees projects from concept to completion. He leads the feasibility process along with project cost, constructability and material selection for all major projects undertaken. Jeff started with the company in 1993 and quickly took charge of the Design Build operations and became a partner in 2001. He achieved CCA Gold Seal Certification in Project Management in 2006, past Chair of the Board at the Grand Valley Construction Association in Southern Ontario and past member of the General Contractor National Advisory Council at the CCA. In addition to his role at Melloul-Blamey Jeff also serves as Vice President at HIP Developments, a company created to utilize the expertise of the Construction Company and develop exciting multi-residential projects throughout southern Ontario. Utilizing the same skill set that resulted in many award winning projects at Melloul-Blamey, he has been able to guide new developments at HIP to the same high standards and project success. Jonathan Smegal Senior Project Manager RDH Building Science Inc. Jonathan Smegal is Based in Waterloo, and is an important part of the Building Science Laboratories team. He regularly leads laboratory research, forensic analysis of building failures, hygrothermal modeling, and field monitoring of building enclosure performance. A trusted resource, Jonathan has managed more than a dozen full-scale field tests of wall and roof performance in various locations throughout North America. He has also been involved with numerous new construction site audits for residential and commercial construction, from the design phase through to the final walk-through. Jonathan enjoys the challenges of working on the design and investigations of buildings with unique interior conditions such as swimming pools, ice rinks, secure greenhouses, and music stores all over North America.
Delivering Mid-Rise Housing Solutions – Part 1 Light Wood Frame
Course Overview We are excited to be joined by Ashley Hammerbacher and Seungyeon Hong from s2e Technologies Development Inc a team constructing the 4 storey Eve Park in London Ontario. Eve Park is an innovative net zero community with Phase 1 underway. With the unique building shape, it shows that there are no limits with what offsite prefabrication can’t do. Learning Objectives Understand the innovative use of prefabricated light wood construction in creating sustainable residential developments – design choices, construction techniques, and sustainability goals. Analyze the design and logistical challenges in implementing prefabricated construction systems, including coordination between various stakeholders. Evaluate the benefits of modular construction in achieving sustainability goals, such as Net Zero Energy standards. Discuss the role of innovative parking solutions and community design in enhancing the sustainability and livability of residential developments. Course Video Speaker Bio Ashley Hammerbacher Managing Director S2E Technologies Ashley is a Managing Director for the US division of S2E Technologies and is the EVE Park Project Lead. She is currently living and breathing everything EVE Park. Ashley is coordinating and advising on EVE Park where we are reimagining neighbourhoods for green energy along with the future of aut-on-omous vehicles. Ashley holds a Bachelors in Bioengineering and a Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, and has accumulated a breadth of experience in green technology and intelligent mobility. Seungyeon Hong Modelling and Data Specialist S2E Technologies Seung is a Modelling and Data Specialist at S2E Technologies. His role includes providing technical analysis on all matters related to buildings. This includes developing physics-based computer simulations to study a building’s behaviour and estimate the associated energy use, which helps guide design decisions and achieve net-zero energy design. Seung had earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering at Carleton University, apprenticed as a timber-framer in South Korea, worked as structural inspector, wrote a thesis on BIM-BEM interworking, and co-led a team of graduate students to win a national Hackathon.
