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Wood Design Tools & Calculators

The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) offers simple, easy-to-use, and free design tools to help architects, engineers, and builders work more efficiently with wood. From electronic design calculators to practical construction guides, our resources make wood design more accessible and straightforward.

CWC offers a number of free resources available to wood professionals as well as wood enthusiasts.

The Canadian Wood Council’s Design Tools have been developed for information purposes only. Although all possible efforts have been made to ensure that the information on these tools is accurate, the CWC cannot under any circumstances guarantee the completeness, accuracy or exactness of the information. Reference should always be made to the appropriate Building Code and/or Standard. This tool should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or design advice, and the user is responsible for how the tool is used or applied.

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The Engineering Complex at UNB is comprised of five buildings, all constructed at different times, and physically connected as one. The first building constructed in 1901, was the original Engineering Building, designed in the Romanesque Revival style, followed closely thereafter by the former Gymnasium, converted in 1944 to the Electrical Engineering Build-ing. In 1957, an expansion to the western side of the two original engineering buildings was made. Sir Edmund Head Hall, a five-storey, 13,600 sq.m (140,000 sf) addition was con-structed to the north of the previous mentioned buildings. Gillin Hall was added to the west side of Head Hall in 1989 and the Information Technology Centre was added to the south of Gillin Hall along Windsor Street in 2000.

In April of 2017, UNB requested Murdock & Boyd Architects to come up with a design solution for a new prominent Main Entrance to the Head Hall Engineering Complex, one that celebrates the engineering programs that are delivered at this institution. The space is designed to allow for and promote the collaboration and interaction of students and faculty, provide for additional graduate study areas, larger crush space from the Dineen Auditorium and a space to exhibit and visually celebrate all the disciplines of the world renowned UNB Engineering programs and its graduates.

This workshop covers wood construction connectors, design apps, mass timber connectors, mass timber fasteners, structural screws, and anchor systems, with demonstrations on hanger testing, fastener installation, and anchor installation and testing.

Discover the innovative world of timber construction through a series of exclusive offsite tours during Woodrise.  Explore Vancouver and beyond as you visit groundbreaking commercial, community, and residential projects that highlight the beauty, sustainability, and ingenuity of wood in modern architecture.

This report serves as a practical guide for small to medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and builders looking to transition into offsite construction. With a specific focus on prefabricated elements and modular systems, it offers actionable guidance for manufacturers considering process expansion or upgrades. Covering critical topics such as business planning, transformational change, financial efficiency, design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), and technology integration, the report emphasizes that success in offsite construction depends not only on technical capability, but also on strategic foresight and organizational readiness.

Drawing on lessons from both successful and stalled ventures, the report identifies common pitfalls—including rushed implementation, cultural resistance, and premature technology investment—and outlines a disciplined, step-by-step approach to navigating them. Through key themes such as aligning prefabrication with business goals, managing operational change, optimizing financial strategies, and adopting technology judiciously, the report provides a roadmap for sustainable growth. Its insights advocate for a manufacturing mindset rooted in efficiency and adaptability, helping firms approach offsite construction with confidence, clarity, and resilience.

Mass timber construction offers speed, sustainability, and design flexibility – but it also requires a higher level of coordination than traditional structural systems. Its prefabricated components and tight tolerances call for early planning, clear communication, and a shared understanding across the project team. Ensuring that all partners – including those less familiar with timber construction – are aligned on these unique requirements helps avoid costly delays and, more importantly, positions the team to fully capitalize on the benefits mass timber has to offer.

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 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 aesthetic appeal. The insights from these two projects present stakeholders with helpful considerations and valuable strategies for integrating mass timber into future developments.

OTTAWA, ON, 23 APR 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council is accepting submissions for the 2025 Wood Design & Building Awards. Now in its 41st year, this annual program invites architects, designers, and project teams from across North America and around the world to submit their most inspiring wood projects for consideration.

“At its core, this program is a celebration of architectural excellence,” says Martin Richard, VP Market Development & Communications at the Canadian Wood Council. “Each year, we’re inspired by the many ways designers harness wood’s versatile beauty—from bold, expressive forms to quietly transformative spaces.”

Over the decades, we’ve seen the creativity and talent of hundreds of project teams bring important changes to the built environment—elevating wood from a niche material to a sustainable, mainstream design ambition. While the awards program has always shone a light on architectural excellence in wood, winning projects in recent years also frequently demonstrate innovation, technical achievement, and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Submissions will be reviewed by a distinguished jury of Canadian and American architects. Projects will be evaluated based on creativity, design excellence, and the innovative and appropriate use of wood to achieve project objectives.

Award categories for 2025 include:

  • Non-residential
  • Residential
  • Adaptive Reuse, Additions, and Renovations
  • International Building
  • Other (e.g. exterior structures, bridges)

 

The program also includes several specialty awards:

  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Award
  • Sansin Award
  • Real Cedar Award
  • Wood Preservation Canada (WPC) Award
  • Regional WoodWorks Awards for Ontario, British Columbia, and the Prairies

 

Winners will receive a custom wood trophy and be recognized through a media announcement, social media, a feature profile on the Wood Innovation Network, and editorial coverage in Wood Design & Building Magazine (digital edition).

Key Dates
Early Bird Deadline: May 31, 2025
Final Submission Deadline: June 27, 2025

For more information and to submit your project, please visit: https://cwc.ca/wood-design-and-building-awards/

 

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