Green Construction through Wood: Accelerating Mass Timber Adoption in Canada

Course Overview

Advancing mass timber construction is critical to achieving Canada’s climate, housing, and economic goals. This course explores how innovative wood-based building systems – supported by programs such as Construction through Wood (GCWood) – are transforming the construction sector by enabling low-carbon, high-performance buildings. Drawing on insights from federal initiatives, industry leaders, and regional experts across Canada, the session examines the technical, regulatory, and market barriers to adoption, including fire performance, seismic design, supply chain capacity, and workforce readiness. It also highlights emerging opportunities in prefabrication, modular construction, and hybrid systems, while showcasing policy tools, demonstration projects, and the national Mass Timber Roadmap that are accelerating uptake. Designed for architects, engineers, contractors, and policy professionals, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies and collaborative efforts required to scale mass timber construction across diverse Canadian markets.

Learning Objectives

Understand the role of mass timber in achieving net-zero emissions, addressing housing demand, and supporting the forest economy.
Identify key barriers to mass timber adoption, including technical performance, regulatory challenges, supply chain limitations, and market awareness.
Evaluate how programs such as GCWood and demonstration projects support innovation, de-risk technologies, and advance building codes.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1022095255

Speakers Bio

Jean-Francois Levasseur
Director, Industry Relations & Innovation Programs / Directeur, Relations avec l’industrie et programmes d’innovation
Natural Resources Canada

Graduating from the University of Ottawa’s Chemical Engineering program, Jean-Francois started his career in a variety of increasing roles in Kraft pulp mills, including mill process and environmental engineer positions. He then joined Environment and Climate Change Canada where he led on numerous aspects of environmental regulatory regimes applicable to Canada’s forest sector. At Natural Resources Canada since 2009, he has led in the design and implementation of various funding programs supporting strategic R&D, innovation and capital investments that accelerate the transformation of the Canadian forest sector towards the Bioeconomy: the Pulp & Paper Green Transformation (PPGTP); the Forest Innovation Program (FIP); the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program (IFIT), and; the Green Construction through Wood program (GCWood). Together, these programs provided more than $1B to support energy efficiency improvements, green energy production, and the commercialization of innovative products, transformative technologies and new wood based green building and mass timber demonstrations.

Scott Jackson
Director, Conservation Biology
Forest Products Association of Canada

As the Director of Conservation Biology, Scott works with member companies, governments and partners to develop and communicate policy positions on a range of files related to forest management, biodiversity conservation, including fish, wildlife and at-risk species, and climate change mitigation and adaption. He also supports FPAC’s efforts to promote the forest sector’s commitment to science-based sustainable forest management, as well as its contributions to Canada’s social and economic standing. Scott has been working for over 20 years in the field of forest management and natural resource policy. Most recently, he has worked as an independent consultant and as the Director of Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations with Forests Ontario, a not-for-profit organization committed to forest restoration, stewardship, education and awareness. Scott has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science (Biology) from Queen’s University and a Master of Forest Conservation degree from the University of Toronto.

Steven Street
Executive Director
WoodWorks Ontario

In his current role as Executive Director of WoodWorks Ontario, Steven leads a dynamic team, bringing value and new opportunities to the program’s partners in the wood industry. With many high-profile projects moving wood construction into the mainstream, knowledge transfer and market acceptance have never been more important to the wood industry. The construction sector has entered a new era of rapid industrialization, shifting from site-built to factory-built methodologies. Building code advances in the last few years are catalyzing the types of materials, approaches and buildings available for development. In this age of great change we can influence how we build, with new sustainability targets and an obligation to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.

Shawn Keyes
Executive Director
WoodWorks BC

Shawn is an accomplished structural engineer and the Executive Director of WoodWorks BC. With a rich background in engineering, project management, and business administration, Shawn offers dynamic leadership, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team of experts advancing wood construction across the province. He joined WoodWorks in 2022 after a decade-long, distinguished career in consulting where he worked on pioneering timber projects across Canada at a leading design firm. Shawn is a licensed professional engineer in BC and ON. He holds masters degrees in both engineering and business, with a M.Eng. from Carleton University and an MBA from UBC’s Sauder School of Business.

Rory Koska
Executive Director
WoodWorks Alberta

Rory Koska has over 30 years of experience in the design and building industry in Alberta. He is a graduate of the Architectural Technologies at NAIT. Rory worked with Igloo Building Supplies Group Ltd as a senior truss designer on residential and commercial buildings and later ran his own consulting firm. Rory has led the WoodWorks Alberta program for over 15 years and has brought the program through many milestones. The Alberta regional program has evolved into a conduit between industry innovation and the design community. Under Rory’s direction the WoodWorks Alberta program has established itself an invaluable resource for communities and the construction industry interested in building with wood.

David Porter
Program Coordinator
WoodWorks Atlantic

In 2019, David joined the Maritime Lumber Bureau as the Program Coordinator for the WoodWorks Atlantic program. He works with architects, engineers, developers, building/fire officials and government, to increase the use of wood in non-residential projects. He has been involved in the design and construction of many wood projects built in Atlantic Canada, providing technical support for both light wood frame and mass timber.

Simon Bellavance
Technical Advisor
Cecobois

Simon T. Bellavance holds a bachelor’s degree in wood engineering from Laval University, specializing in wood structures. Before becoming a technical advisor at Cecobois, he served as the technical lead for value-added wood products at Chantiers Chibougamau. In addition to his responsibilities in quality control and continuous improvement, he participated in several research and development projects for the Nordic Structures division. As a technical advisor at Cecobois since 2018, he has contributed to the development of various training programs, technical guides, case studies, and the creation of the Cecobois Conferences program.

Tim Buhler
Director, Programs and Operations
Canadian Wood Council

In the past 17 years at the Canadian Wood Council, he has helped build a network of wood champions and experts throughout North America to promote the use of timber in the built environment. Tim’s extensive knowledge in the industry comes from dozens of technical conferences, tours, meetings and workshops across North America and Europe. As the director of operations, Tim works closely with the wood industry, with multiple levels of government and associations, chairing technical advisory committees and leading national working groups to address wood construction roadblocks. Tim has been involved in over 200 timber construction projects in Ontario, including assisting with the development of several alternative code solutions for tall timber buildings. Tim has been leading the “Insuring Timber” initiative with CWC since 2019. The goal of this program is to ensure more attractive rates of insurance can be achieved for builders of timber projects in Canada. Tim’s diligence in pursuing the understanding of the insurance market has helped this grow from a small research project to a national initiative. It has led to collaborations with the United Kingdom’s Structural Timber Association, the United States’ Woodworks – Wood Products Council and Laval University. Tim currently chairs a national working group to address the differential in insurance and is a contributor to numerous other committees in the industry examining this issue.

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

https://vimeo.com/1072356677

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 Tafler, OAA
Partner
Tafler Rylett Architects

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.

Tallwood 1

Course Overview

Mass timber has garnered a lot of interest in Ontario in recent years and with the recent adoption of the encapsulated mass timber construction requirements into the Ontario Building Code, the path to approvals for these buildings has become less onerous. Building with mass timber has many benefits vs. conventional concrete or steel construction from sustainability to construction time to occupant health. However, cost is often a deterring factor, particularly for developers. There are many considerations that need to be made to make tall mass timber buildings a competitive option and we will share some with you in this presentation using the recently completed Tallwood 1 building in Langford, BC. Tallwood 1 is the first 12-story mass timber-steel hybrid building in Canada and located in one of the highest seismic zones in the country. In addition to sharing lessons learned from this project, we will also discuss how this building may be different if it were to be built in Ontario.

Learning Objectives

Understand the design and construction advantages of using mass timber in tall building projects like Tallwood 1 – structural benefits, aesthetic possibilities, and environmental impact.
Analyze the engineering challenges and solutions involved in the project, focusing on mass timber integration with other construction materials.
Evaluate the implications of prefabrication and modular construction techniques used in the Tallwood 1 project – to enhance construction efficiency, reduce waste, and potentially lower project costs.
Discuss the impact of innovative structural systems like point-supported CLT and hybrid seismic systems on the architectural design and functionality of tall buildings.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1046520714

Speaker Bio

Mehrdad Jahangri, P.Eng., Dipl. Ing.(Germany)
Principal
ASPECT Structural Engineers

Mehrdad is a principal at ASPECT and has more than three decades of international experience on notable, architecturally oriented commercial, educational, recreational, and residential projects. He is internationally recognized for his innovative approach and consulting with North American and international architects. He has a sound knowledge of building physics and sustainable design concepts that allow him to actively engage in sustainable design challenges and decisions. Mehrdad understands the challenge of creating carefully detailed yet efficient structural designs and provides an unparalleled level of service to all his clients.

Eva Chau, P.Eng., M.Eng.
Associate
ASPECT Structural Engineers

Eva is an Associate at ASPECT and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from the University of British Columbia. Over the course of her career, she has worked on a wide range of residential, institutional, civic, and transit projects. Eva is proficient with all major building materials but has been strongly focused on mass timber building for the past 4 years. Eva is passionate about structural engineering and always strives to help clients realize their unique visions and achieve their project goals.

Custom Steel Connections for Mass Timber: Understanding the Basics Step by Step

Course Overview

As mass timber construction continues to grow in popularity, understanding how structural connections work is essential for anyone involved in the design and construction process. This course introduces custom steel hangers as a practical and flexible solution for connecting timber beams and columns, explaining why they are sometimes preferred over off-the-shelf options. Using clear, visual examples, participants will be guided through how forces travel through a connection, what needs to be checked to ensure safety, and how factors like fire performance and moisture are considered in real projects. No advanced engineering background is required to follow along and gain valuable insight into this important aspect of mass timber design.

Learning Objectives

Explain the difference between predesigned and custom steel hangers, and describe situations where a custom connection offers practical advantages in mass timber construction.
Describe in plain terms how structural loads travel through a steel hanger assembly, from the supported beam through to the primary supporting member.
Recognize why eccentricity occurs in hanger connections and understand, at a conceptual level, how it affects the design of the surrounding structure.
Identify key real-world considerations for custom steel connections in mass timber, including fire protection strategies and the importance of accounting for wood shrinkage.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1183860319

Speakers Bio

Patrick Geers
Senior Structural Designer & Head of Quality Control
Western Archrib

Patrick Geers brings over 24 years of expertise in mass timber engineering to his role at Western Archrib, where he leads the design of innovative structural systems and maintains the company’s exceptional quality standards. A passionate carpenter with degrees from both Canadian and German institutions, Patrick combines hands-on craftsmanship with advanced engineering knowledge. His international career spans positions in Austria and Germany, providing him with unique cross-cultural perspectives on structural design and community-centered architecture. Patrick currently serves on multiple technical committees including the CSA 086 Committee for Wood Design Standards and acts as an industry advisor to the ARTS group at the University of Alberta. His work focuses on creating sustainable structures that navigate challenging environments while connecting communities. Through his leadership in both technical innovation and quality assurance, Patrick continues to advance the possibilities of mass timber construction for buildings that serve as community anchors and exemplars of sustainable design.

Tall-Wood Buildings

The Basics

Tall Wood Buildings

With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber, building tall with wood is not only achievable but already underway – with completed contemporary buildings in Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom at 9 storeys and taller. Increasingly recognized by the construction sector as an important, new, and safe construction choice, the reduced carbon footprint and embodied / operational energy performance of these buildings is appealing to communities that are committed to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

Tall wood buildings, built with renewable wood products from sustainably managed forests, have the potential to revolutionize a construction industry increasingly focused on being part of the solution when it comes to urban intensification and environmental impact reduction. The Canadian wood product industry is committed to building on its natural advantage, through the development and demonstration of continuously improving wood-based building products and building systems.

A tall wood building is a building over six-storeys in height (top floor is higher than 18 m above grade) that utilizes mass timber elements as a functional component of its structural support system. With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber (CLT) and structural composite lumber (SCL), building tall with wood is not only achievable but already underway – with completed contemporary buildings in Canada, US, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom at seven-storeys and taller.

Tall wood buildings incorporate modern fire suppression and protection systems, along with new technologies for acoustic and thermal performance. Tall wood buildings are commonly employed for residential, commercial and institutional occupancies.

Mass timber offers advantages such as improved dimensional stability and better fire performance during construction and occupancy. These new products are also prefabricated and offer tremendous opportunities to improve the speed of erection and quality of construction.

Some significant advantages of tall wood buildings include:

the ability to build higher in areas of poor soils, as the super structure and foundations are lighter compared to other building materials;
quieter to build on site, which means neighbours are less likely to complain and workers are not exposed to high levels of noise;
worker safety during construction can be improved with the ability to work off large mass timber floor plates;
prefabricated components manufactured to tight tolerances can reduce the duration of construction;
tight tolerances in the building structure and building envelope coupled with energy modelling can produce buildings with high operational energy performance, increased air tightness, better indoor air quality and improved human comfort

Design criteria for tall wood buildings that should be considered include: an integrated design, approvals and construction strategy, differential shrinkage between dissimilar materials, acoustic performance, behaviour under wind and seismic loads, fire performance (e.g., encapsulating the mass timber elements using gypsum), durability, and construction sequencing to reduce the exposure of wood to the elements.

It is important to ensure early involvement by a mass timber supplier that can provide design assistance services that can further reduce manufacturing costs through the optimization of the entire building system and not just individual elements. Even small contributions, in connection designs for example, can make a difference to the speed of erection and overall cost. In addition, mechanical and electrical trades should be invited in a design-assist role at the outset of the project. This allows for a more complete virtual model, additional prefabrication opportunities and quicker installation.

Recent case studies of modern tall wood buildings in Canada and around the world showcase the fact that wood is a viable solution for attaining a safe, cost-effective and high-performance tall building.

For more information, refer to the following case studies and references:

Brock Commons Tall Wood House (Canadian Wood Council)

Origine Point-aux-Lievres Ecocondos,Quebec City (Cecobois)

Wood Innovation and Design Centre (Canadian Wood Council)

Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada (FPInnovations)

Ontario’s Tall Wood Building Reference (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry & Ministry of Municipal Affairs)

Summary Report: Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings (Forestry Innovation Investment & Binational Softwood Lumber Council)

www.thinkwood.com/building-better/taller-buildings

The Business Case for Mass Timber

Course Overview

Mass timber is redefining how we design and deliver buildings. This session spotlights two projects at the forefront: The Exchange office building in Kelowna and a planned residential tower in Vancouver. Alongside these case studies, the speakers will present a business case analysis, breaking down costs, risks, and opportunities. Together, the speakers will share how mass timber is being applied today, the lessons learned, and why it is becoming a viable choice for development in today’s market.

Learning Objectives

Explain how mass timber systems are being applied in commercial and residential projects to achieve cost competitiveness with concrete construction.
Identify key design, supply chain, and construction decisions that influence risk, schedule, and cost outcomes in mass timber buildings.
Evaluate the business case drivers – cost, schedule, risk, and market acceptance – that affect developer decision-making for mass timber projects.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1164486286

Speakers Bio

Annabelle Hamilton
Executive Director
WoodWorks BC

Following the completion of her postgraduate degree from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, Annabelle has worked for several multi-family development companies, overseeing various multi-million dollar projects through the project lifecycle from acquisitions and municipal approvals to construction completion.

Graham Brewster
Director of Development
Wesgroup Properties

Graham is Director of Development at Wesgroup Properties, one of Western Canada’s largest private real estate organizations. Graham is leading Wesgroup’s mass timber exploration and execution, with an eye to not only build better buildings, but building the understanding to build a robust and sustainable industry in BC.

Tim McLennan
CEO
Faction Projects

As co-founder and CEO of Faction Projects Inc., Tim oversees a vertically integrated group of companies including Faction Architecture Inc., Faction Construction, and multiple subsidiaries—delivering full-spectrum project services from concept to construction. He leads the company’s long-term strategy, corporate governance, and financial stewardship. His leadership drives innovation across the group’s project delivery platforms—anchoring Faction’s reputation for integrated, regionally responsive, and technically advanced solutions.

Neil McGowan
Partner, Senior Advisor
BTY Group

Neill is a Partner at BTY and is responsible for providing planning and cost consulting services to financial institutions, government agencies, real estate developers and contractors. He has over 35 years of experience in British Columbia providing cost and risk advisory services. Neill is a sustainability leader and has led BTY’s team on a wide variety of projects advancing the understanding of capital and life-cycle costs of energy conservation and GHG-reduction measures for government and institutional clients.

T3 Bayside

Course Overview

Coming Soon

Learning Objectives

Understand the design and sustainability features of the T3 Bayside project, emphasizing mass timber construction.
Analyze the challenges and solutions in implementing mass timber in large-scale commercial projects – logistical, regulatory, and construction.
Evaluate the benefits of mass timber in terms of construction efficiency and workplace environment – understand how mass timber construction impacts project timelines, cost-effectiveness, and creates biophilic, worker-friendly environments.
Discuss the implications of mass timber construction for commercial buildings in urban settings.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1046520266

Speaker Bio

Michael Gross
Vice President Construction
Hines Canada

Michael has become a key member of the Hines Canada platform since returning to Toronto in 2014. He leads several projects, provides support to the business generation team, and takes pride in mentoring junior colleagues.

Michael’s main responsibility has been leading the delivery of Hines’ 13-acre Bayside Toronto mixed-use master planned community which includes 1,300 residential units, 500,000 sq. ft. of office space, and 115,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and several public amenities. He led a trailblazing building code approval effort for the 10-storey T3 Bayside heavy timber office project and leads the design and construction of that project. He also provides senior leadership and guidance to other construction teams across Canada– most recently for the 64-86 Bathurst Multifamily project and T3 Sterling Road.

Michael joined Hines in 2007 to work on the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando Florida after having spent a considerable part of his early career on the development and construction of arts and cultural venues. He is passionate about the quality of the built environment and the livability of cities, and this passion informs his approach to his work at Hines. Michael has served as a Board Member of St. Hilda’s Towers and Lewis Garnsworthy Residence in Toronto and the Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Architecture from McGill University. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, entertaining, and canoe trips.

Nicola Casciato OAA, MRAIC, AANB
Principal
WZMH

Since joining the firm in 2005, Nicola has brought a high level of energy and creativity to the design of a number of major projects, including the Durham Consolidated Courthouse, Bay-Adelaide Centre and the Caesar’s Casino in Windsor, Ontario. He joined WZMH as a Senior Designer with experience in institutional, multi-unit residential and recreational buildings. Nicola’s strengths lie within the realm of design with a deeply rooted connection to the architecture of humanism while maintaining a full understanding of the production of contract documents and contract administration. His skills were acquired through six years as an associate at Montgomery Sisam Architects, a distinguished Toronto practice, and four years of formative training at Perkins and Will, an internationally renowned Chicago practice. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the firm, Nicola was appointed a Principal of WZMH in 2010. Nicola has a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Technology in Architectural Science from Ryerson University.

Jack Keays
Principal
Vortex Fire

Jack is an accomplished fire safety engineer, building code expert, and mass timber innovator with extensive project experience in Canada, Singapore, the Middle East, and North Africa. He has advanced analytical skills with the ability to recognize and address fire safety challenges while developing practical engineering solutions. With each project, Jack engages both internal and external stakeholders in constructive and collaborative relationships. Jack brings value to each project by taking a holistic approach to fire and life safety and by working closely with a cross section of disciplines to deliver optimal solutions.

Lucas Driussi
Project Manager
Eastern Construction

Lucas Driussi, project manager, is a sought-after project management resource within Eastern Construction, who provides critical leadership and direction to help guide his team and project stake holders through all phases of a project. Lucas has amassed an impressive list of diverse projects, clients, and delivery methods gained over a career that spans more than 15-years in the construction industry.

Starting as a Project Coordinator, then serving stints in the field and estimating, and then taking on the role of Assistant Project Manager and subsequently Project Manager on large-scale projects, Lucas offers extensive expertise with construction management coupled with a strong appreciation for LEAN Construction practices. Currently, Lucas is managing T3 Bayside, a LEED Gold, high-performance, mass timber commercial office building located along Toronto’s waterfront. Once complete, T3 Bayside will be the tallest wood tower constructed in North America.

Challenging Convention With Innovative Timber Applications

Course Overview

This dynamic session explores cutting-edge applications of mass timber in Canadian construction through three compelling case studies that showcase how timber is revolutionizing the building industry. Attendees will discover Spearhead’s visionary approach to next-generation manufacturing through their innovative glulam facility in British Columbia. This groundbreaking project challenges conventional thinking and reimagines timber production processes, setting new standards for what’s possible in wood manufacturing. The session will also feature Intelligent City’s remarkable achievement—Canada’s first tall timber Passive House facade. This case study reveals how mass timber building envelopes can deliver exceptional environmental performance while meeting the most demanding energy efficiency standards, creating sustainable structures that perform as beautifully as they look. Finally, the session will present ETRO’s 837 Beatty project, where heritage preservation meets modern timber innovation. This thoughtful integration creates a harmonious dialogue between historical architecture and forward-thinking construction methodologies, demonstrating timber’s versatility across different building contexts.

Learning Objectives

Describe innovative timber applications across three case studies, including prefabricated mass timber envelope systems on tall wood buildings, next-generation glulam manufacturing, and heritage adaptive reuse with new timber additions.
Identify key technical considerations for prefabricated timber building envelopes—panel sizing, air/water tightness strategies, moisture risk reduction through rapid enclosure, and crane sequencing/logistics constraints.
Recognize construction and detailing approaches highlighted in the case studies, including NLT and glulam integration, concealed connection strategies (e.g., glued-in rod concepts as discussed), and coordination methods that support efficient, low-carbon timber delivery.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1165697310

Speakers Bio

Shaun St-Amour
Retrofit (Revive) Manager
ETRO Construction

Shaun brings a unique combination of expertise, leadership, and passion for high-performance buildings. With extensive knowledge of high-performance building standards and hands-on experience with sustainable materials and methods, he bridges the gap between design intent and construction execution. Beyond ETRO, Shaun contributes to the Passive House Accelerator, organizes Zero Carbon Building Tours with ZEBx, and hosts building science meet-ups. His expertise plays a key role in driving decarbonization, resiliency, and efficiency in both new and existing buildings.

Josh Hall
Partner, Director of Business Development
Spearhead

Josh is a Partner and Director of Business Development at Spearhead, where he helps shape the company’s vision and strategic direction. With over fifteen years of experience spanning architecture, digital fabrication, and commercial construction, his knowledge of design, process, and project delivery plays a key role in guiding Spearhead’s continued growth and evolution. Josh holds a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Architectural Science from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Shawn Keyes
VP, Strategic Growth & Business Development
Intelligent City

Shawn is a structural engineer and commercial executive with more than a decade of experience leading innovation in mass timber and industrialized construction. As Vice President of Strategic Growth at Intelligent City, he leads commercialization, market strategy, and partnerships to scale the company’s prefabricated housing systems. Previously, Shawn served as Executive Director of WoodWorks BC, where he led a strategic transformation that strengthened partnerships, technical leadership, and influence across the development, AEC, and policy sectors. Before that, he spent over six years at Fast + Epp, developing deep expertise in mass timber and hybrid structural systems. Shawn’s teams have supported more than 150 mass timber projects across Canada, and he has served on advisory councils for BC Housing, BCIT, and the BC Office of Mass Timber Implementation. He holds an MBA from UBC Sauder, a Master of Engineering from Carleton University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in BC and Ontario.

Scaling Housing With Prefabricated Timber: Regulations-Ready Mid-Rise Prototypes

Course Overview

British Columbia faces an urgent housing shortage and mounting pressure to accelerate delivery of multi-unit housing. Recent code changes enabling mass timber up to 18 storeys create a unique opportunity to rethink how housing is designed, permitted, and built. This session will present findings from the Housing Growth Innovation Program’s Prefabricated Timber Housing Systems project. Attendees will learn how pre-engineered, regulations-ready modular timber prototypes can streamline design and approvals, reduce embodied carbon, and speed construction through off-site manufacturing. The session will share strategies for integrating computational design, compliance analytics, and supply-chain insights to create adaptable, scalable mid-rise housing solutions. Geared to architects, developers, policymakers, and builders, participants will gain insight into how prefabrication and digital tools can de-risk projects, reduce permitting delays, and accelerate the delivery of sustainable, affordable homes in B.C. and beyond.

Learning Objectives

Explain how pre-engineered, regulations-ready prefabricated timber systems can support faster delivery of mid-rise, multi-unit housing under recent B.C. code changes.
Identify key structural, building-services, and envelope strategies used in modular mass timber housing prototypes to improve constructability, adaptability, and permitting certainty.
Recognize how digital tools, computational design, compliance analytics, and supply-chain benchmarking, can de-risk housing projects and support scalable, low-carbon construction.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1165676770

Speakers Bio

Adrian Watson
Principal, Design Director
Perkins&Will

Adrian Watson is Principal and Design Director at Perkins&Will, where he leads complex, high-profile projects that integrate sustainability, innovation, and design excellence. With over 30 years of experience, Adrian has shaped award-winning buildings and master plans across sectors, including higher education, infrastructure, civic, and housing. In his role as Design Director for the Vancouver and Calgary studios, Adrian leads a team of over 160 architects and designers. He is committed to the development design processes that look to the future, whilst believing that design excellence is attained by doing simple things very well.

Yann Tregoat
Architect
Perkins&Will

Originally from France, Yann’s early career was spent in Amsterdam and Paris, working on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Aquatic Centre. Through urban environment and professional exposure, he has developed a strong interest in mass timber and parametric design, as well as innovative sustainable building solutions. Since moving to Vancouver in 2021, he has worked on various mid-to-large-scale projects, from private development to civic buildings. He brings his own life and professional experience from Europe to his work while learning and further expanding his design expertise at Perkins&Will. Yann has two master’s degrees in both Architecture and Structural and Civil Engineering from the Institute of Applied Science of Strasbourg, France.

Solomon Fung
Associate Principal
Introba

Solomon Fung is an Associate Principal at the multidisciplinary engineering firm Introba. Based out of their Vancouver office, he brings 15 years of experience to the mechanical team with a diverse project portfolio including mid- and high-rise mixed-use residential buildings, affordable housing, commercial & office buildings, passive house design, and healthcare. With a keen interest in innovation, Solomon leads his team in pursuit of simple solutions that are replicable for the industry.

Brent Olund
Partner, Principal
Credos

Brent Olund is a Professional Engineer, a Gold Seal Project Manager, and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Brent’s 28 years in the construction industry to date started with industrial, commercial, and marine construction and included many years of focus on residential concrete high-rises, educational buildings, and mass timber construction. Brent is a nationally recognized expert and thought leader in the field of planning and control of mass timber structures, has worked with design teams through validation of several upcoming mass timber building assembly systems, and has designed and patented a new lateral structural system for use in these buildings. Brent believes that the highest purpose of his efforts is helping solve the housing crisis by implementing building systems toward improved productivity of construction.

Andrew Blackie
Structural Designer
ASPECT Structural Engineers

Andrew enjoys a diverse engineering background, ranging from adaptive reuse of heritage buildings through to the development of modular construction systems. As a common thread across his body of work, he brings expertise in digital workflows and parametric design to deliver an efficient, modern form of building design. Andrew graduated with a Master’s in Structural & Architectural Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in 2016 and has since gained almost a decade of experience between the UK and Canada. He joined ASPECT in 2025, where he has been developing strategies to deploy mass timber at scale and at pace. Andrew’s focus is bridging the gap between conventional and off-site construction, easing the transition away from carbon-intensive materials through a kit-of-parts approach to building structures.

Halil Erhan
Professor of Interactive Systems and Design Director of Computational Design Lab
SFU School of Interactive Arts and Technology

Dr. Halil Erhan completed his undergraduate studies at Middle East Technical University (METU) before earning a master’s degree at Clemson University, where he specialized in integrating 3D models into building design. He received his Ph.D. in Design Computation from Carnegie Mellon University, with a focus on generating design requirements. Currently, Dr. Erhan serves as a professor at Simon Fraser University and leads the Computational Design Laboratory. His interdisciplinary research approaches design as a cognitive and collaborative problem-solving process, aiming to develop effective tools that enhance the capacities of creative practitioners. He and his team create and test innovative, human-centered computational design tools. Dr. Erhan founded a research initiative called “Design Analytics,” which uses data from Performance Predictions to facilitate design space exploration through interactive visualizations. He collaborates with industry partners to encourage the adoption of new tools in the AEC sector.

Innovative Envelope Solutions for Mass Timber

Course Overview

As society strives toward lower-carbon construction and increased operational efficiency of the built environment, we know that a building’s envelope significantly impacts a project’s overall environmental performance. This panel presentation offers attendees a glimpse into three different façade systems being employed in three important mass timber projects in Toronto.

Industrialized exterior wall system for the 1925 Victoria Park project in Toronto, Canada.

From local to global, global to local – the CREE building system is used locally in various markets and continents. 1925 Victoria Park is an example of how you can use this exterior wall system. Since 2010, the CREE building system is constantly evolving and adapting to different markets. Now it is reaching North America. This presentation will give you insights into the project developments, design processes, challenges, and details of the exterior wall of the 1925 Victoria Park project in Toronto, Canada.

Learning Objectives

Understand the integration of wood products in building envelopes and their role in achieving high-performance in mass timber projects.
Analyze the challenges and technological solutions involved in combining wood products with other building materials for envelope construction.
Evaluate the impact of prefabricated wood product systems on construction efficiency and environmental sustainability – in terms of construction timelines, labor efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction.
Discuss the future implications and potential innovations in wood product applications in building envelope systems.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1046520905

Speaker Bio

Chris Ertsenian, Dip. Arch. Tech.
Associate
Moriyama & Teshima Architects

Case study presentation on the façade at Limberlost Place, Georg Brown College’s 10-storey, mass timber, net zero carbon emissions academic building on Toronto’s waterfront.

Chris Ertsenian, a long-standing MTA Associate and Senior Job Captain, facilitates competitive contractor bids, expedites construction, and minimizes change orders by ensuring that the firm’s contract documents optimize constructability and are clear, complete, and well-coordinated. He brings a breadth of experience on a wide range of project types and has been an integral member of the production and quality control team on many highly complex and exacting projects.

Chris is currently serving as Job Captain for Ontario’s first institutional mass timber building, Limberlost Place (formerly “The Arbour”) at George Brown College; managing the consultant team and monitoring construction progress. He is also the Senior Technologist on the University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics Academic Building.

Previously, Chris has worked with all of MTA’s partners to realize many major college and university buildings, including the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia Community College’s Sydney Waterfront Campus, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Innovation, and many more to name a few. He has also worked on several public and cultural projects, such as Place des Arts in the City of Greater Sudbury, the Government of Canada’s Visitor Welcome Centre Phase 1 on Parliament Hill, the City of Surrey (British Columbia) Civic Centre, as well as the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. With strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects at once, Chris’ impact on MTA’s portfolio is wide-ranging and highly influential.

He authored Moriyama & Teshima Architects’ CADD standards and user manual, as well as more recently authoring MTA’s Drawing Standards and assisting in BIM Standards which exemplify his organizational abilities, attention to detail and comprehensive knowledge of building technologies.

Kelsey Saunders, M.B.Sc., CPHD, LEED® AP BD+C.
Project Manager and Building Scientist
RDH Building Science Inc.

Case study presentation on the façade at the University of Toronto’s new 4-storey, 346-unit, mass timber student residence at Trinity College.

Kelsey Saunders is a Project Manager and Building Scientist at RDH Building Science and has been in the building science field for nearly 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Science and a Master of Building Science degree from Ryerson University. She is a Certified Passive House Designer and a LEED AP in Building Design and Construction.

Kelsey’s work is focused on early-stage building enclosure consulting on new construction projects across North America with a particular specialty in low carbon buildings both in terms of operational and embodied carbon. She takes an enclosure-first approach to low carbon design and has worked on many Passive House, Net Zero Carbon, mass timber, and prefabricated panelized enclosure projects.

Kelsey has also been involved in numerous public and private research projects, including a current study of the embodied carbon impact of building enclosure systems in whole life carbon emissions to support early-stage decision making for low carbon design.

Tim Steffinger
Structural Consultant specialized in Engineering and System Design
CREE Buildings

Case study presentation on the façade at 1925 Victoria Park, an 11-storey, 154-unit mixed-use rental apartment building with ground floor commercial.

Tim Steffinger is a civil engineer from Germany specializing in Engineering and System Design. He studied at the University of Stuttgart and received his master’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on structural design. At CREE Buildings, he is our expert in exterior wall systems and is constantly improving the CREE System with his expertise and ever-expanding know-how through practical experience and exchange with the international network. As Structural Consultant at CREE, he supports our license partners in the realization of timber hybrid structures and coordinates CREE projects worldwide.

Emerging Solutions for Mass Timber in Healthcare

Resource Description

Healthcare buildings are among the most complex and resource-intensive structures we design and, increasingly, they are being asked to do more. Modern hospitals not only need to support healing for patients and staff, but also to contribute to planetary health by reducing carbon emissions and addressing social and environmental determinants of wellbeing. To meet these goals, hospital design must evolve beyond the “squeezed and standardized” approach that has long defined it.

Mass timber is emerging as a credible alternative to conventional systems for larger-scale, high-rise institutional buildings. Recent advancements in material science, manufacturing, engineering, and fire safety have made it possible to consider timber as a structural solution for complex facilities — including hospitals.

Recognizing that innovation in healthcare design must be evidence-based, this collaborative study explores the feasibility of using mass timber for a 200+ bed acute care hospital. The multidisciplinary team — including KPMB Architects, PHSA (Provincial Health Services Authority of BC), Fast + Epp, Smith + Andersen, Resource Planning Group, CHM Fire, Hanscomb, AMB Planning, and EllisDon — developed and evaluated a detailed test design for a mass timber inpatient tower suited to the Canadian context. The study examined structure, cost, schedule, lifecycle carbon, code compliance, infection control, and biophilic design as part of a holistic approach to sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

Learning Objectives

Identify the key drivers that influence structural system selection in healthcare building design.
Describe the opportunities, limitations, and specific considerations associated with using mass timber in hospital environments.
Summarize findings from an in-progress feasibility study for a mass timber inpatient tower in a Canadian acute care setting.
Evaluate the comparative schedule, cost, and lifecycle carbon outcomes identified in the study, and discuss implications for future healthcare projects.

Course Video

https://vimeo.com/1133908677

Speakers Bio

Chris McQuillan, OAA, AIBC, FRAIC LEED AP
Principal
KPMB Architects

Chris McQuillan, a registered architect and a distinguished Fellow of the RAIC, brings three decades of experience in planning, design and construction for healthcare and biomedical research. He has completed work across Canada, southeast Asia and in the Caribbean. In the healthcare sphere, his experience includes acute, rehabilitation and mental health treatment. Recently, Chris has designed major additions to Burnaby Hospital and Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto, a major expansion of the Halifax Infirmary, a new regional hospital in Corner Brook Newfoundland, a provincial specialty hospital for addictions and mental health in St John’s and strategic planning for the phased renovation of Royal Columbian Hospital here in Vancouver.

A resident of Toronto, but active across Canada and beyond, Chris joined KPMB Architects in 2024 to propel the growth of the firm’s work in the healthcare sector. Chris’ focus in the design of healthcare facilities is to create healing architecture – for people, for our cities and for the planet. Mass timber must come to be viewed as an indispensable tool to help us achieve that goal.

Juan J. Cruz Martinez, M.Arch, M.Des, EDAC, LEED GA
Senior Director, Major Capital Projects
Provincial Health Services Authority

Lisa Miller-Way, C.E.T., LET
Director
CHM Fire

Project Managing a Mass Timber Project

Course Overview

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

https://vimeo.com/1046473357

Speaker Bio

Coming Soon

Green Construction through Wood: Accelerating Mass Timber Adoption in Canada

...comprehensive overview of the strategies and collaborative efforts required to scale mass timber construction across diverse Canadian markets. Learning Objectives Understand the role of mass timber in achieving net-zero emissions,...

Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes

...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...

Tallwood 1

Course Overview Mass timber has garnered a lot of interest in Ontario in recent years and with the recent adoption of the encapsulated mass timber construction requirements into the Ontario...

Custom Steel Connections for Mass Timber: Understanding the Basics Step by Step

Course Overview As mass timber construction continues to grow in popularity, understanding how structural connections work is essential for anyone involved in the design and construction process. This course introduces...

Tall Wood Buildings

With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber, building tall with wood is not only achievable but already underway...

The Business Case for Mass Timber

Course Overview Mass timber is redefining how we design and deliver buildings. This session spotlights two projects at the forefront: The Exchange office building in Kelowna and a planned residential...

T3 Bayside

Course Overview Coming Soon Learning Objectives Understand the design and sustainability features of the T3 Bayside project, emphasizing mass timber construction. Analyze the challenges and solutions in implementing mass timber...

Challenging Convention With Innovative Timber Applications

...in mass timber and hybrid structural systems. Shawn’s teams have supported more than 150 mass timber projects across Canada, and he has served on advisory councils for BC Housing, BCIT,...

Scaling Housing With Prefabricated Timber: Regulations-Ready Mid-Rise Prototypes

...mass timber structures, has worked with design teams through validation of several upcoming mass timber building assembly systems, and has designed and patented a new lateral structural system for use...

Innovative Envelope Solutions for Mass Timber

...panel presentation offers attendees a glimpse into three different façade systems being employed in three important mass timber projects in Toronto. Industrialized exterior wall system for the 1925 Victoria Park...

Emerging Solutions for Mass Timber in Healthcare

...using mass timber in hospital environments. Summarize findings from an in-progress feasibility study for a mass timber inpatient tower in a Canadian acute care setting. Evaluate the comparative schedule, cost,...

Project Managing a Mass Timber 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...

Green Construction through Wood: Accelerating Mass Timber Adoption in Canada

Course Overview Advancing mass timber construction is critical to achieving Canada’s climate, housing, and economic goals. This course explores how innovative wood-based...

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...

Tallwood 1

Course Overview Mass timber has garnered a lot of interest in Ontario in recent years and with the recent adoption of the encapsulated mass timber construction requirements...

Custom Steel Connections for Mass Timber: Understanding the Basics Step by Step

Course Overview As mass timber construction continues to grow in popularity, understanding how structural connections work is essential for anyone involved in the design and...

Tall Wood Buildings

With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber, building tall...

Tall-Wood Buildings

The Business Case for Mass Timber

Course Overview Mass timber is redefining how we design and deliver buildings. This session spotlights two projects at the forefront: The Exchange office building in Kelowna...

T3 Bayside

Course Overview Coming Soon Learning Objectives Understand the design and sustainability features of the T3 Bayside project, emphasizing mass timber construction. Analyze the...

Challenging Convention With Innovative Timber Applications

Course Overview This dynamic session explores cutting-edge applications of mass timber in Canadian construction through three compelling case studies that showcase how timber...

Scaling Housing With Prefabricated Timber: Regulations-Ready Mid-Rise Prototypes

Course Overview British Columbia faces an urgent housing shortage and mounting pressure to accelerate delivery of multi-unit housing. Recent code changes enabling mass timber...

Innovative Envelope Solutions for Mass Timber

Course Overview As society strives toward lower-carbon construction and increased operational efficiency of the built environment, we know that a building’s envelope...

Emerging Solutions for Mass Timber in Healthcare

Resource Description Healthcare buildings are among the most complex and resource-intensive structures we design and, increasingly, they are being asked to do more. Modern...

Project Managing a Mass Timber Project

Course Overview 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...

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Green Construction through Wood: Accelerating Mass Timber Adoption in Canada

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Tallwood 1

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Custom Steel Connections for Mass Timber: Understanding the Basics Step by Step

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Tall Wood Buildings

The Business Case for Mass Timber

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

T3 Bayside

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Challenging Convention With Innovative Timber Applications

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Scaling Housing With Prefabricated Timber: Regulations-Ready Mid-Rise Prototypes

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Innovative Envelope Solutions for Mass Timber

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Emerging Solutions for Mass Timber in Healthcare

Resource Description

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Project Managing a Mass Timber Project

Course Overview

Learning Objectives

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Green Construction through Wood: Accelerating Mass Timber Adoption in Canada

Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes

Tallwood 1

Custom Steel Connections for Mass Timber: Understanding the Basics Step by Step

Tall Wood Buildings

The Business Case for Mass Timber

T3 Bayside

Challenging Convention With Innovative Timber Applications

Scaling Housing With Prefabricated Timber: Regulations-Ready Mid-Rise Prototypes

Innovative Envelope Solutions for Mass Timber

Emerging Solutions for Mass Timber in Healthcare

Project Managing a Mass Timber Project

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