Considerations in the Design & Prefabrication of Mass Timber Buildings for Architects
Resource Description
This resource is intended to provide educators with a clear framework for teaching the principles of mass timber design and prefabrication. The content is organized into four modules that highlight foundational knowledge, technical design considerations, early construction strategies, and sustainability. Together, these modules support students in developing a holistic understanding of how mass timber projects are conceived, designed, and delivered.
Module 1 – Introduction & Project Planning
Provides an overview of mass timber, highlights the advantages of prefabrication, and outlines key early-stage considerations for optimizing design.
Module 2 – Design Optimization Considerations
Explores critical aspects of design including structural performance, fire protection, acoustics, and vibration.
Module 3 – Early Construction Strategies
Focuses on Building Information Modeling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), systems integration, and best practices for building envelope and moisture management.
Module 4 – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Examines the importance of carbon accounting, introduces available LCA tools, and discusses broader sustainability and biophilia considerations.
Acknowledgments
Canadian Wood Council
Usage and Citation Guidelines
These teaching materials were developed by university professors with funding support from the Canadian Wood Council. The content is provided free of charge for teaching and educational purposes only. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of academic teaching is strictly prohibited.
When using these resources in any context that requires citation, please use the format below.
Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
An Overview of Sustainable Forestry in Canada for Architecture and Engineering Students 2022
Resource Description
Canada: A Forest Country
With 362 million hectares of forest, Canada is the third-most forested country in the world.
Acknowledgments
Prepared by:
The Mass Timber Institute at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design for the Canadian Wood Council.
Lead Authors
Monique Dosanjh Shan Shukla Sanjana Patel Dr. Anne Koven
Usage and Citation Guidelines
Coming soon
Low‐Rise Commercial Mass Timber Design Case Study
Resource Description
This case study presents a 3-storey mass timber office building designed with a Glulam post-and-beam main structural system supporting CLT floor and roof panels. It has been developed as a teaching resource for educators, providing comprehensive engineering calculations for the primary structure, detailed analyses and design of CLT shear walls, and full calculations for all major connections.
To support practical learning, sample construction documents are included at the end of the case study, offering concrete examples of how the design can be implemented. The resource is complemented by a fully detailed architectural and structural Revit model, giving educators a complete digital representation of the project that can be used in teaching or demonstration settings. An accompanying Design Example further illustrates the application of design principles, helping students connect theory with real-world practice.
This material is intended to facilitate the instruction of advanced mass timber construction concepts, supporting both the theoretical understanding and practical skills of students. By integrating structural calculations, construction documentation, and digital modeling, it provides educators with a comprehensive, ready-to-use resource for teaching wood-based building design and construction.
Acknowledgments
Lead Authors
Structural Design:Carla Dickof, P.Eeng. M.Sc.Fast+Epp Architectural Design:George Brown CollegeArchitectural Technology Program,CADE3002, Class of 2021 – Co-op Students
Reviewers
Structural Design:Nick Bevilacqua, P.Eng, Struct Eng,Fast+Epp Reed KelterbornCanadian Wood Council Yang DuCanadian Wood Council Ali MikaelCanadian Wood Council Architectural Design:Dr. Hoda GanjiGeorge Brown College
Usage and Citation Guidelines
These resources were developed collaboratively by Fast+Epp, the Canadian Wood Council, and contributors from George Brown College. They reflect current design and construction practice and were created to support teaching and learning in wood design and architecture.
The resources remain the intellectual property of the respective authors and are provided free of charge for educational purposes. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification outside of an academic setting is strictly prohibited.
When these resources are used in a context that requires citation, please use the following format:
Author(s). (Year). Title of module [Teaching Module]. Funded and published by the Canadian Wood Council.
Mass Timber House Tour
Mass Timber Buildings and Fire Safety
Course Overview
Welcome, this course is a case study of a number of educational buildings in both the United States and Canada and how wood used in the construction of these buildings supports sustainability, promotes health and motivates learning.
Learning Objectives
How wood was used to create a healthy learning environment.
How wood was used to create a sense of wellbeing by creating warm inviting interiors with large open spaces.
Examines the use of wood in the construction of 20 different educational buildings from elementary and high schools to university research facilities and showcase buildings.
Course Video
Speakers Bio
Steve Craft, Ph.D., P.Eng. Co-founder CHM Fire Consultants – Ottawa, ON
Dr. Steven Craft is a Principal Engineer with CHM Fire Consultants Ltd, which he co-founded in 2011, and an Adjunct Professor in the Fire Safety Engineering Program at Carleton University. He has an undergraduate degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Ph.D. in Fire Safety Engineering from Carleton University. Dr. Craft teaches courses in Wood Engineering, Fire Dynamics, and Wood Structures and Fire Safety at Carleton University. As well, he is active in Canadian and international codes and standards work, including chairing a task group under CSA O86, Canada’s Wood Design Standard, on fire resistance and a task group under ULC’s Fire Test Committee on exterior fire tests.
Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes
Course Overview
Discover the innovative approach to housing supply undertaken by Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel. The Arbor Mill expansion sets a remarkable precedent for other non-profit affordable housing providers who want to build more housing and can do it by adding additional units on top of their existing buildings. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 20-25% of existing buildings can support a vertical addition in wood, which is a comparatively light weight building material.
This novel approach removes the need to find new land to develop and has the added benefit of immediately integrating new residents into an existing supportive community. This project added 6 barrier-free, affordable apartments on top of a 35-year old, occupied residential building using prefabricated mass timber, delivering more affordable housing through the “gentle densification” of existing infrastructure.
In this webinar, the project team will discuss the architectural, structural, and design challenges of the project, including blending prefabricated mass timber construction methods with an older structure built with conventional materials. Key sustainability and construction considerations will also be highlighted. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of the first project teams in North America to pursue this innovative approach to housing delivery.
Learning Objectives
Participants will learn how Pathway, a non-profit community developer in Peel Region, created a plan to expand its housing portfolio while addressing tenant needs and priorities.
Participants will gain insights into the design and approval challenges of the project, including navigating site plan approvals, integrating mass timber, and meeting acoustic and fire safety requirements.
Participants will understand the structural considerations for vertical expansions, which include performing load assessments and evaluating structural options.
Participants will understand the mass timber fabricator’s process and the key considerations for successfully integrating prefabricated mass timber components into a project, including early involvement, securing production spots, and managing construction timelines.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Roman Spektor General Manager Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel
Mechanical engineer by profession, Roman has been the General Manager of Pathway for over 25 years and has managed social housing projects for 35 years. Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel (Pathway) is an interfaith non-profit corporation that was incorporated in 1988. The Pathway organization is run by a volunteer board made up of members of the three founding congregations. Pathway owns and operates two apartment building in Mississauga constructed in the early 90s. Pathway’s two buildings, Forest Ridge and Arbour Mill, house 230 families and are funded by rental income and a government subsidy.
Pathway has also created a separate management company and manages other non-profit housing communities. Roman has coordinated with the volunteer board on all aspects of management of the buildings including budgeting, capital work and project management. Through the creation of programs for the residents, Pathway has created inclusive communities where all residents feel welcome.
Cathy has been a partner in the firm Tafler Rylett Architects since 1996 and is involved in all aspects of the firm’s work including client consultation, design, permit application, specifications and contract administration. Cathy is committed to producing thoughtful and environmentally responsible projects that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. The firm designs with a collaborative process, listening to their client’s requirements and budget and input from the surrounding community.
Cathy was chair of the OAA’s Committee on the Environment and is a member of the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH). The firm’s work includes supportive and affordable housing, offices, institutional and private residential projects. Major projects include supportive housing for Houselink Community Homes, offices for Doctors Without Borders, offices for the U of T Faculty Association, Tiny Treasure Montessori School and affordable housing for Pathway.
Craig Nicoletti, P.Eng. Partner, Structural Engineer Engineering Link Inc.
Craig is a Professional Engineer and Partner for the Structural Division at Engineering Link. He has been with Engineering Link since 2011 and brings more than 20 years of structural engineering expertise to his projects. During his tenure, Craig acquired a diverse portfolio of experience with wood projects that spans all sectors including commercial, recreational, industrial, hospitality, civic, and sporting facilities, in addition to heritage designated sites.
Stephen Balamut, B.Eng. Project Manager Element5
Stephen is a Civil Engineering Graduate of McMaster University. He began with Element5 as a designer and estimator, then moved into his current project manager position where he has overseen over 50 completed mass timber projects, from low- and mid-rise residential, to mixed-use and commercial. As a project manager, Stephen oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of Element5’s mass timber projects. He collaborates closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure the structural integrity and sustainability of the mass timber components. Stephen is driven by a passion for contributing to sustainable projects that have a meaningful and lasting impact on people’s lives.
Seismic Solutions for Resilient Wooden Structures
Course Overview
Timber structures are getting bigger and higher with the availability of economical mass timber products on the market. Timber is also very attractive to designers in seismic-prone regions because of its advantageous strength-to-weight ratio. However, resilience becomes an issue as traditional ductility strategies are not low-damage and result in loss of stiffness following a seismic event.
In this presentation, basic concepts of seismic engineering and structural ductility are reviewed. The drawbacks of typical timber connections designed to provide ductility to timber structures are identified along with the long-term consequences. Resilient seismic dampers provide a solution to this issue. They are self-centering friction devices that do not get damaged within their ultimate capacity. The technology behind the resilient friction dampers is explained along with their application in different structural case studies.
Learning Objectives
Coming Soon
Course Video
Speaker Bio
David Bowick, P.Eng. Adjunct Professor – Masters in Architecture University of Toronto
David Bowick has received many industry honours since he began his career in 1990. His inventive approach to design has made him sought-after, particularly when a project calls for innovative solutions. He is a three-time recipient of the WoodWorks Building the Future engineer award, and has received awards for his work in wood, concrete and architectural steel. Dozens of projects he has worked on have been granted awards in the field of architecture, such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the French River Visitors Centre (both recipients of the Governor General’s Award).
An avid teacher, David is an adjunct professor in the Masters in Architecture program at the University of Toronto. He is a frequent guest speaker on the topics of architecture and engineering, and contributes to the industry through committees and events. His writing has appeared in several publications, including Concrete Toronto.
David is a licensed professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick. He is a member of the Canadian Standards Association Technical Committee on CAN/CSA-O86, Engineering Design in Wood and a member of the Technical Committee responsible for the Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction.
Plant a Seed Designing with Wood and Bio based Materials
Course Overview
Concrete, steel, and aluminum are responsible for 23% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. While a portion of those emissions come from other industries, the biggest sinner is without comparison construction. In this presentation, based on Henning Larsen’s recent publication, ‘Plant a Seed’, Fabia will present an alternative, sharing Henning Larsen cases studies and insights on designing with wood and biobased materials for significantly reduced carbon.
Fabia is a Structural Design Engineer and Timber Expert at Henning Larsen with both theoretical knowledge about timber from her engineering degree and practical experience from her work as a carpenter. She has a passion for timber construction and understands the potential of wood in developing unique, sustainable projects. Given her experiences, Fabia has extensive knowledge about incorporating wood in construction processes. She supports design teams by integrating wood into many projects like Henning Larsen’s World of Volvo experience center in Gothenburg, Sweden; Marmormolen, one of Denmark’s largest wooden structures; and Fælledby, Copenhagen’s first wooden district, and winner of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Having co-authored Henning Larsen’s Plant a Seed publication, innovative solutions are always in focus for Fabia, by which she strives to promote wood and biomass as essential materials for building a climate-neutral future.
Overview of the Canadian Mass Timber Technical Guide
Course Overview
Join us for an introduction to a new, comprehensive Canadian technical reference guide to mass timber. Canada’s inherent building-with-wood culture lays a solid foundation for the continued growth of mass timber construction. Learn more about why mass timber is right for your next project, the design process and building systems, code acceptance, our expertise and more.
Learning Objectives
How mass timber can be incorporated into a variety of structural projects that typically utilize other materials.
Design considerations for utilizing mass timber and how the Mass timber guide can provide them with the information to navigate mass timber design.
How to use the mass timber reference guide for cross laminated timber and glue laminated timber design and construction.
Overview of the economic and sustainable benefits of mass timber construction.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Orlagh McHugh – BSc, M.Eng, EIT Mass Timber Specialist Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation Vancouver/Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Orlagh McHugh is a Mass Timber Specialist at Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation, overseeing the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Before relocating to BC almost a decade ago, Orlagh earned her Degree in Structural Engineering and Architecture at University College Dublin, Ireland, and went on to complete a Masters of Structural Engineering at the same institution.
With over 7 years of experience working with top Vancouver firms as a design engineer, she has contributed to a diverse catalogue of projects across a number of sectors, with a particular focus on wood and mass timber construction. Orlagh is inspired by the innovative nature of mass timber construction and keen to promote creativity, technology and sustainability in our built environment.
Ron McDougall Mass Timber Specialist Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation Western/Eastern Canada
Ron brings 30 years of heavy timber experience to the mass timber industry that combines a unique perspective on the evolution of hand built timber construction to the technologically advanced practices utilized in Structurlam’s state of the art production process.
Ron’s expertise is the facilitation of incorporating BIM practices in pragmatic and meaningful ways to ensure efficient construction of complex mass timber structures.
Sound and Vibration in Mass Timber Buildings: A Practical Guide
Course Overview
Following an introductory overview of building acoustics, the presenter will explore both airborne and impact sound transmission in mass timber buildings. While direct sound transmission (i.e., through floor/ceiling assemblies) has been thoroughly tested, indirect sound transmission (i.e., around wall or floor/ceiling assemblies) remains more of a challenge. To address this, the presenter will share findings from recent R&D initiatives aimed at helping maximize exposed mass timber while still adhering to code requirements.
This webinar will also examine the sound absorptive properties of mass timber, which play a critical role in environments such as schools, offices, and event spaces. Finally, we’ll conclude with specific design strategies to help prevent late-stage acoustical issues, especially when projects have progressed to a point where certain solutions are no longer feasible.
Learning Objectives
Gain familiarity with basic acoustic terminology and principles.
Understand how sound and vibration can transmit directly and indirectly through the mass timber structure.
Discover approaches to addressing sound and vibration transmission through continuous mass timber (CLT) panels.
Gain an appreciation of various design considerations affecting the control of noise in mass timber buildings.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Simon Edwards, M.Eng., P.Eng., ing. Senior Acoustical Engineer, Associate HGC NOISE VIBRATION ACOUSTICS
Simon is a member of HGC’s built environment division, with extensive experience in acoustical work across the permitting, design, construction, and post-occupancy phases of residential and commercial buildings. He has worked with poured concrete, hollow-core, wood-frame, and steel-deck structures and has particular expertise in mass timber projects, including Ontario’s first mass timber building, R-Town Vertical 6, and the acclaimed YW Supportive Housing project in Kitchener. Simon’s growing experience in designing and testing various CLT configurations has positioned him as a leader in mass timber acoustics.
Simon is also an expert on sound transmission, with a background in both theoretical calculations and experimental sound transmission testing (“Kij Testing”) to evaluate flanking transmission in line with ISO 12354 and ISO 10848. He is a member of both the ISO and ASTM Technical Committees on Building Acoustics and contributes to the development of standards for measurement and calculation methodologies across the industry.
Shearwall Connections and Lateral Systems for Wood Buildings
Course Overview
This comprehensive course delves into the latest advancements in wood shearwall systems and connections, featuring critical updates from the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). This course will cover essential topics, including advancements in lateral systems and rod holdowns, and provide a step-by-step approach to accurately calculating deflection for rod holdowns. Dive into key details on relevant connections and fasteners that enhance performance and resilience. The session will culminate with a overview of the outcomes of a groundbreaking 10-storey mass timber seismic test conducted in San Diego as part of the NHERI Tall Wood Project, showcasing how these innovations perform under real-world conditions. This webinar is designed for engineers, architects, and construction professionals looking to stay current with advancements in seismic design for wood structures.
Learning Objectives
Gain insights into the latest advancements in seismic and lateral force-resisting systems for timber construction.
Learn effective methods for calculating deflection in rod hold-down systems, ensuring compliance with structural performance standards.
Explore best practices and expert recommendations for specifying connections in shearwalls to optimize strength and resilience.
Understand key findings from the NHERI TallWood test, highlighting lessons from the tallest mass timber building ever tested on a shake table.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Tim Wagner, P.Eng., MBA Field Engineer Simpson Strong-Tie
Tim joined Simpson Strong-Tie in 2014 as an EIT, and earned his Professional Engineering designation in 2018. His primary role is building relationships with specifiers in western Canada, with major focuses on connections, lateral systems fasteners and anchors.
Mass Timber Construction at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Course Overview
Canadian Nuclear Labs’ Chalk River Laboratories comprise the largest single complex in Canada’s science and technology community. The site contains more than 50 unique facilities and laboratories including a three new buildings constructed with mass timber.
These three buildings are the focus of a detailed environmental impact study. This webinar will offer a case study of the three buildings and share the results of the environmental impact study. Topics covered by the presentation include: -Why Wood? (drivers that led CNL to chose mass timber) -Carbon Impact (operational, embodied, sequestered, avoided, and a life cycle assessment) -Procurement (Integrated Project Delivery Method) -Building Performance (construction elements, energy performance, envelope performance, fire performance, durability, resiliency, and potential for adaptive reuse) -Code Requirements (regulatory approvals, permit process)
The projects are considered successful examples of sustainable procurement aligning with the ‘greening government’ strategy which supports the Government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, and includes a 40% reduction by 2025 for federal facilities.
Learning Objectives
Understand the strategic importance of using mass timber construction at CNL and its alignment with sustainability goals, including carbon reduction and the promotion of sustainable building practices.
Analyze the logistical and engineering challenges associated with implementing mass timber in a large-scale infrastructure project.
Evaluate the benefits of mass timber in the context of operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.
Discuss the implications of mass timber construction for future building projects in terms of regulatory compliance, market trends, and technological advancements.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Donald Chong, OAA, MRAIC, B.Arch Design Principal, Associate Vice President HDR
Don has firmly established himself in Toronto’s architecture culture through his inventiveness and investment in placemaking. His project skills volley between the strategic planning of urban and institutional work through to the detailing of finely crafted furniture, as well as research-based design. Don has held numerous design conference speaking engagements, from the Wood at Work Conference to the Architectural League of New York, and has been featured in print publications, such as Design Lines, related to mass timber design.
Susan Croswell, OAA, MRAIC Project Delivery Principal HDR
Susan is a project architect with over 27 years of diversified experience. Her expertise in both architectural design and technology allows her to excel in the profession from concept design through to contract administration. Susan’s ability to deliver complex projects and documentation on time is a hallmark of her work and is achieved through effective leadership and teamwork. She has developed a reputation as a highly competent, efficient, effective and approachable project architect who loves the challenges that each and every project brings to the team. Some of her recent, award-winning projects include the CNL Chalk River Laboratories “New Builds,” Queen’s University John Deutsch University Centre, and Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
Ryan Zizzo, PEng, MASc, LEED AP ND Founder & CEO Mantle Developments
Ryan Zizzo is a professional engineer and Founder & CEO at Mantle Developments, a consultancy focused on climate-smart infrastructure and buildings, based in Toronto. Mantle helps projects go beyond energy efficiency, incorporating resilience, embodied carbon emissions, and life cycle approaches to make projects future-proof and net-zero carbon ready. Ryan is a recognized leader in helping large organizations and governments transition to a low-carbon future. He has directly supported the Government of Canada, several provincial Ministries, the City of Toronto, the YMCA of Greater Toronto, and numerous developers, property managers, and real estate investors.
Considerations in the Design & Prefabrication of Mass Timber Buildings for Architects
An Overview of Sustainable Forestry in Canada for Architecture and Engineering Students 2022
Low‐Rise Commercial Mass Timber Design Case Study
Mass Timber House Tour
Mass Timber Buildings and Fire Safety
Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes
Seismic Solutions for Resilient Wooden Structures
Plant a Seed Designing with Wood and Bio based Materials
Overview of the Canadian Mass Timber Technical Guide
Sound and Vibration in Mass Timber Buildings: A Practical Guide
Shearwall Connections and Lateral Systems for Wood Buildings
Mass Timber Construction at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Resource Description This resource is intended to provide educators with a clear framework for teaching the principles of mass timber design and prefabrication. The content...
Resource Description Canada: A Forest Country With 362 million hectares of forest, Canada is the third-most forested country in the world. Acknowledgments Prepared by: The...
Resource Description This case study presents a 3-storey mass timber office building designed with a Glulam post-and-beam main structural system supporting CLT floor and roof...
Course Overview Welcome, this course is a case study of a number of educational buildings in both the United States and Canada and how wood used in the construction of these...
Course Overview Discover the innovative approach to housing supply undertaken by Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel. The Arbor Mill expansion sets a...
Course Overview Timber structures are getting bigger and higher with the availability of economical mass timber products on the market. Timber is also very attractive to...
Course Overview Concrete, steel, and aluminum are responsible for 23% of the world’s total CO2 emissions. While a portion of those emissions come from other industries, the...
Course Overview Join us for an introduction to a new, comprehensive Canadian technical reference guide to mass timber. Canada’s inherent building-with-wood culture lays a...
Course Overview Following an introductory overview of building acoustics, the presenter will explore both airborne and impact sound transmission in mass timber buildings....
Course Overview This comprehensive course delves into the latest advancements in wood shearwall systems and connections, featuring critical updates from the 2020 National...
Course Overview Canadian Nuclear Labs’ Chalk River Laboratories comprise the largest single complex in Canada’s science and technology community. The site contains more...
