Building with mass-timber elements affords a contractor many benefits including quality, accuracy and time. But contractors are often unaware of these benefits until immersed in a new project. With the conversion experience had by Willmott Dixon the company advanced its skills has served to inform their clients and the designers with whom they work.
Learning Objectives
How a large construction company – transitioned to include mass timber projects in its portfolio.
How to evaluate key business considerations — cost, time, environment.
How building with mass timber can change the construction planning process — engaging with design teams and clients.
How mass-timber projects came to fruition.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Duncan Purvis
With nearly a quarter of a century of experience in the construction industry in operational, commercial, sales, bid writing, marketing and most aspects of the delivery of complex construction projects and offers a 100% customer journey that is built on true trust. With many construction projects from Four Seasons Miami, Natural History Museum London, Pfizer’s European headquarters and many more high-prestige projects. Duncan is proudest of the Multiple Schools projects, that with his Structured Timber Solution, are providing high quality teaching environments that are not only fully sustainable and highly efficient, but also work out as some of the most economical teaching spaces available in Europe.
Advancing North American Mass Timber Projects: Harnessing the Strength of Local Expertise
Course Overview
As global adoption of mass timber construction accelerates, a growing number of solutions are available in the marketplace that can contribute to the success of your project. This session, presented by Simpson Strong-Tie, will explore some of the unique challenges faced by North American projects and some of the domestically developed solutions available to meet those challenges.
Learning Objectives
Understand the need for greater tolerance on concealed beam hangers, the importance of ensuring connectors are easy to install, and the specific requirements for large elements in North American buildings.
Understand the advantages domestic suppliers can bring to your project, including the rapid delivery of hardware to job sites.
Learn about the necessity for effective installation tools and processes tailored to the scale of large North American projects.
Learn about the need for effective moisture mitigation and the systems and strategies that can prevent unnecessary exposure of mass timber to the elements during construction.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Adrian Mitchell Chair of Simpson’s internal Mass Timber Focus Market Committee Simpson Strong-Tie
Adrian is a mass timber and off-site business specialist with a principal focus on the rapidly expanding mass timber segment, for which he serves as Chair of Simpson’s internal Mass Timber Focus Market Committee. Adrian has spent the bulk of his 20-year career in the off-site, mass timber, and modular spaces, primarily as a business development leader and private consultant. With professional experiences ranging from heavy civil, oil and gas, high-end custom homes to large-scale mass timber missed-use projects and artificial intelligence in BIM, he has a unique and well-rounded background in wood and steel applications in off-site construction. Adrian is a native of Vancouver, Canada, and a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s School of Business, he enjoys all the typical Canadian pastimes like playing hockey, building things from wood, and mountain biking.
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 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.
Tall wood buildings offer tremendous potential for low-carbon, high-performance construction, but they also introduce a distinct set of challenges not typically encountered in conventional approaches. Design teams new to this form of construction may be unfamiliar with the systematic approach needed to enhance affordability and efficiency in these buildings.
Within the spectrum of structural solutions for mass timber, point-supported CLT is a compelling option for tall building applications. Teams must understand how to harness its unique benefits and navigate its limitations to unlock its full potential. When applied effectively, point-supported approaches can improve efficiency, reduce material usage, and unlock new pathways to cost-competitive tall timber construction.
Mass Timber Course of Construction Insurance Project Questionnaire + Checklist
Who can use this document: Contractors, Developers, Owners and Design Teams.
How to use this document: This document is an editable form that teams can fill out to aid in collecting mass timber project-specific information to share with their insurance team.
When to use this document: A project team should engage a broker or underwriter as early as possible in the planning stages of a construction project, ideally during the initial design phase or when the project scope is being defined.
How will this help me: The goal is to provide project-specific information about mass timber, pre-emptively addressing some of the common questions and concerns insurers may have to pave the way for a more efficient and informed process when working with your broker or underwriter. Keep in mind that this document is not intended to address all topics nor be a universally accepted form that provides all necessary information to insurers.
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.
Exploring the Role of Mass Timber – Industrial Buildings and Warehouse Construction
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.
Canadian Wood Council Applauds Federal Investment in Nova Scotia’s Mass Timber Industry
OTTAWA, ON, 21 MAR 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) applauds the Government of Canada’s strategic investment in Nova Scotia’s mass timber sector, recognizing its role in advancing low-carbon construction, economic growth, and job creation.
This funding will accelerate the fabrication of high-value mass timber components from undervalued eastern spruce, unlocking new opportunities for Canada’s forest sector and expanding the use of advanced wood materials in construction. By supporting the production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam in Nova Scotia, this investment strengthens supply chains, creates skilled jobs in the region, and enhances the competitiveness of low-carbon building solutions across Canada.
Mass timber is increasingly recognized as a proven strategy for the rapid construction of much-needed housing and other critical infrastructure. Its benefits extend across multi-residential and commercial buildings, offering a scalable, efficient, and sustainable approach to modern construction.
Canada’s forest sector is well-positioned to meet the growing domestic demand for sustainable construction materials. This investment will drive innovation in mass timber manufacturing, creating economic opportunities in Nova Scotia while enhancing Canada’s capacity to produce and supply mass timber products nationwide. Expanding domestic production advances low-carbon building solutions and strengthens Canada’s wood manufacturing sector.
The CWC applauds this commitment to fostering a resilient and competitive mass timber industry in Atlantic Canada. Through our WoodWorks technical program, we look forward to supporting construction professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to integrate mass timber into more projects across the country.
Do you want to build with Mass Timber but don’t know where to start?
Join Mark Wigston and Andre Lema of Western Archrib on the “How-To’s” of project managing a Mass Timber Building.
Learning Objectives
When should you engage trade partners.
What to expect from a mass timber partner.
How does design influence cost.
Preconstruction planning.
Staging and constructing a Mass Timber Building.
Understanding and mitigating risks.
Unique things about a Mass Timber Building.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Coming Soon
Encapsulated Mass Timber: A New Construction Type for the 2020 NBC
Course Overview
This webinar will discuss the fire-related national building and fire code changes related to a new construction type called Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) to be used for wood buildings up to twelve storeys. As well, it will provide an overview of ongoing fire research at the National Research Council of Canada into various performance aspects of mass timber construction and tall wood buildings.
Learning Objectives
Proposed new construction type EMTC.
Proposed new ULC encapsulation rating test.
Proposed additions for EMTC in the 2020 NBC and NFC.
Mass timber fire testing.
Course Video
Speaker Bio
Marc Alam Manager, Codes and Standards in the fire divisionCanadian Wood Council
Marc Alam is a member of the Canadian Wood Council. As Manager, Codes and Standards in the fire division, Marc assists through participation in CWC’s building code and standards fire‐related initiatives and the development of CWC’s fire design tools, as well as code‐related fire research projects.
Benefits of Building with Mass Timber
Advancing North American Mass Timber Projects: Harnessing the Strength of Local Expertise
Delivering Mid-Rise Housing Solutions – Part 2 Mass Timber
Course Overview Melissa will discuss the role of the specialty structural engineer in glulam connection design for your project. Tips will be provided to help streamline the...
Course Overview This 2-hour technical webinar will begin with an overview of ongoing fire research at the National Research Council of Canada into various performance aspects...
Course Overview As society strives toward lower-carbon construction and increased operational efficiency of the built environment, we know that a building’s envelope...
Course Overview FPInnovations’s Modeling Guide for Timber Structures is the result of global collaboration from over 100 experts. This definitive guide for timber structure...
Course Overview In 2021, YW of Kitchener-Waterloo (YWKW) obtained funding from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to construct supportive housing for homeless women...
Course Overview The presentation will provide an overview of the Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Tests which were conducted during the summer and fall of 2022. Past research...
Course Overview 55 Franklin in Kitchener, Ontario, is a four-building complex of mid-rise residential buildings that the project team is using as an opportunity to explore...
Course Overview Delivering superior acoustic comfort to building occupants doesn’t have to be complicated. In this panel discussion, presented by an industry-leading...
Course Overview Coming Soon Learning Objectives The presentation will be focused on providing a summary of the Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Test Program’s results and...
Course Overview WoodWorks and the BC Office of Mass Timber Implementation present a brief, but detailed technical webinar focusing on the recently adopted provincial code...
The Guide to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction in the Ontario Building Code – Second Edition is a comprehensive resource designed to help designers, code officials, and...
Advancements in wood product technology and systems are driving the momentum for innovative buildings in Canada. Products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT)...
