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
A Zero Carbon Hybrid Wood Supertall Future
Course Overview
With buildings generating 40% of global carbon emissions, we need to achieve net-zero by 2050 to meet the Paris Agreement target and limit global warming to 2°C. Timber sequesters an average of 1.9 metric tons of carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions per cubic meter (Sathre & O’Connor, 2010). While a purely mass timber tall building may not be the most cost-efficient solution, a hybrid structure can maximize the overall use of wood by volume in the most cost-efficient manner. Floor systems in buildings contribute as much as 73% of the environmental impact of a high-rise building’s structure (Lankhorst et al., 2019), making them an excellent target for reducing embodied carbon.
DIALOG’s patent- pending Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS) takes advantage of the benefits of cross-laminated timber (CLT) combined with pre-stressed concrete to achieve a 12-metre column-free span. The HTFS is proposed as part of our Hybrid Timber Tower, a 105-storey mixed-use prototype that is being evaluated and tested by DIALOG and EllisDon. The prototype structure consists of the hybrid timber floor, combined with a concrete core and an external steel frame. Fire safety is achieved in the floor panels as the exposed wood chars to form a protective layer, while the non-combustible concrete and steel band continues to support the panel. The exposed CLT panels also provide a biophilic appeal, which has shown to support cognitive function as well as physical and psychological well-being (Vidovich, 2020). DIALOG, EllisDon, FPInnovations and other partners have completed the first phase of small-scale testing on over 40 panels. We are scheduled for fire testing of the panels in Ottawa with NRCan this fall with full scale testing of the 12-meter panels starting in late 2022.
Learning Objectives
Describe how hybrid mass timber systems—such as the Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS)—reduce embodied carbon and support zero‑carbon goals in high-rise, mixed-use developments.
Explain the structural, fire safety, and performance characteristics of hybrid CLT–concrete floor assemblies, including how charring, concrete bands, and steel elements contribute to long-span capability and code compliance.
Evaluate the role of multidisciplinary research, prototyping, and large-scale testing in validating hybrid timber technologies for supertall applications, including their impacts on sustainability, biophilia, and cost efficiency.
Craig Applegath is the founding principal of DIALOG’s Toronto Studio, and a passionate designer who believes in the power of built form to meaningfully improve the wellbeing of communities and the environment they are part of. Since graduating from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University with a Master of Architecture in Urban Design Craig has focused his energies on leading innovative planning and design projects that address the complex challenges facing our communities, as well as on his advocacy of sustainable building design and urban regeneration and symbiosis. Craig’s area of practice includes the master planning and design of institutional projects, including post secondary education, healthcare facilities, as well as the design of innovative mixed-use- facilities.
Craig was a founding Board Member of Sustainable Buildings Canada, a Past President of the Ontario Association of Architects, and the current moderator of SymbioticCities.net. Craig has lectured or taught at Harvard, the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, as well as at many professional and sector related conferences around the world. In 2001 Craig was made a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for his contributions to the profession of architecture. In 2017 he was presented with the OALA Honourary Membership Award for his contributions to the cause of landscape architecture in Ontario.
Neel Bavishi, PEng, CEM Building Performance Analysis, Associate DIALOG
Neel is passionate about applying the art and science of building performance simulation and data-driven design to produce positive outcomes for the built environment. He embraces holistic solutions that minimize the environmental impact of building assets while providing enhanced value to building owners, developers, policymakers, and designers through improved well-being and reduced total cost of ownership. Neel believes that an integrated and collaborative approach that incorporates diverse perspectives is essential for delivering high-performance buildings.
A mechanical engineer by training, Neel is well-versed in whole-building energy modelling for both new and existing buildings and lifecycle cost analysis, design optimization, and data visualization. His experience includes developing energy models for green building certification programs, carbon-neutral retrofit studies and district energy strategies, and the development of net-zero energy and emissions policies and standards for municipal, provincial, and federal government bodies. His projects span various asset classes, including recreational facilities, commercial high-rise towers, multi-unit residential buildings, hospitals, data centres, and transit facilities. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario and is a Certified Energy Manager.
Cameron is an Associate on the Structural Engineering team in DIALOG’s Toronto studio. Since graduating with a PhD from the University of Toronto, Cameron has acted as a structural design engineer and project manager across a variety of sectors and project types, including healthcare, institutional, government, and retail. He has experience in all stages of a project delivery, from feasibility studies through construction administration and management.
Cameron is DIALOG’s project manager for the hybrid timber floor system (HTFS) research program, working closely with industry partners EllisDon. He is passionate about exploring mass timber wherever possible as a sustainable solution to our building needs.
Dowel Laminated Timber A new mass timber product in North America
Course Overview
Dowel‐laminated timber is a next generation mass timber product commonly used in Europe, where it is also known as brettstapel. Panels are made from softwood lumber boards stacked like the boards of NLT, friction‐fit together with hardwood beech dowels instead of nails. DLT is the only mass timber product which is 100 per cent wood – it involves no glue or nails. Unique to DLT as a mass timber product, acoustic profiles can be integrated directly into the bottom surface of a panel. DLT panels processed using CNC machinery create a high tolerance panel which can also contain pre‐integrated electrical conduit and other service runs. StructureCraft will be the first manufacturer of DLT in North America, with a new automated manufacturing line and plant beginning production in 2017. This presentation will discuss how DLT differs from other mass timber products in its use and specification. Topics will include potential applications, introduction to the design and construction process and costs.
Learning Objectives
What is Dowel Laminated Timber?
Potential applications of DLT.
Introduction to design and construction detailing.
Product availability and cost.
Course Video
https://vimeo.com/1109949607?share=copy
Speaker Bio
Lucas Epp Head of Engineering StructureCraft
Lucas Epp is a structural engineer with 10 years of experience working throughout Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. While in London he designed a range of projects with world class architects and developed an expertise in complex geometry and challenging structures. Lucas leads the engineering department at StructureCraft where he has been involved in large-scale timber structures including the 2012 Vancouver Olympics Oval and more recently as lead engineer for the T3 Minneapolis office building.
Engineered Wood Products (EWP), Mass Timber, Wood Products
Advancements in wood product technology and systems are driving the momentum for innovative buildings in Canada. Products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), nailed-laminated timber (NLT), glued-laminated timber (GLT), laminated strand lumber (LSL), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and other large-dimensioned structural composite lumber (SCL) products are part of a bigger classification known as ‘mass timber’.
Although mass timber is an emerging term, traditional post-and-beam (timber frame) construction has been around for centuries. Today, mass timber products can be formed by mechanically fastening and/or bonding with adhesive smaller wood components such as dimension lumber or wood veneers, strands or fibres to form large pre-fabricated wood elements used as beams, columns, arches, walls, floors and roofs. Mass timber products have sufficient volume and cross-sectional dimensions to offer significant benefits in terms of fire, acoustics and structural performance, in addition to providing construction efficiency.
Unlocking Affordable Timber Innovations in Structure, Prefabrication, and Code
Course Overview
Bond Tower is a 7-storey mixed-use prototype that asks a critical question: how can mass timber be made cost-effective in the Prairies, where supply chains are limited, demand is low, and timber construction is often reserved for flagship projects. Funded by the Green Construction through Wood Program from Natural Resources Canada, the project develops both prototypes and a built demonstration to advance affordable timber solutions in a region underserved by the current market.
The design leverages nail-laminated timber (NLT) as its primary system, applied in diagrid trusses, floor assemblies, and shear walls. NLT presents a cost-effective alternative to other manufactured products and provides great versatility due to its custom nature. Lateral and gravity-induced forces are carried by a diagrid timber truss fabricated from readily available dimensional lumber and using simple mechanical fasteners. Floor assemblies comprised of NLT are constructed without a concrete topping or proprietary sound attenuation systems, reducing both cost and embodied carbon. Prefabricated wall panels, stairs, and modular service pods further minimize waste and construction time.
Another challenge lies in building code classification. Currently, all structures above six storeys are deemed high-rise, requiring costly and difficult to achieve [in timber] two-hour fire-resistance ratings and fire-safety systems. The Bond Tower design team, working with code consultants, is developing an alternative solution that leverages the inherent 1.25-hour FRR of NLT floor assemblies. This approach suggests a pathway toward a new mid-rise category, making timber projects of seven or eight storeys more financially viable. Alongside a single-stair configuration, which can increase efficiency by reducing non-rentable floor area, these strategies point to a replicable model for affordable timber construction across Canada.
Learning Objectives
Learn how NLT and prefabrication strategies can reduce cost, waste, and construction time, making timber more feasible in the Prairies.
Explore structural detailing approaches that simplify connections and reduce cost, while addressing fire, durability, and acoustic performance in timber design.
Examine how alternative solutions can improve the financial feasibility of 6–8 storey timber projects and support broader code updates across Canada.
Course Video
https://vimeo.com/1154034844
Speakers Bio
Sasa Radulovic, AIBC MAA OAA SAA AAA NSAA FRAIC LEED AP Partner, Architect 5468796 Architecture
Sasa Radulovic co-founded the Winnipeg-based practice 5468796 Architecture with Johanna Hurme in 2007. A talented designer, Sasa guides the office in seeking projects that explore density, affordability, and sustainability through non-traditional means and a dynamic design approach. Recent institutional appointments include Visiting Professor-Morgenstern Chair with the Faculty of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
Ken Borton, MAA RAIC Principal 5468796 Architecture
Oliver Brandt, P.Eng Associate Fast + Epp
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.
CLT Design Considerations
Course Overview
Mass Timber has arrived in the world capital infrastructure marketplace while architects and structural engineers are trying to get educated about how to design with this new advanced engineered wood material. This paper discusses three important aspects of mass timber design in outdoor and indoor (wet and dry service) conditions as well as important design questions such as major and minor axis horizontal shear as it relates to column and wheel point loads. Other design considerations will be discussed as well.
Learning Objectives
Mass timber design details for outdoor and indoor environmental exposure.
Point loads due to column loading in mass timber systems both post and beam and CLT and simple platform and column.
Fire resistance ratings and advanced materials in mass timber buildings
Minor and major axis shear characteristics of CLT and impacts on design considerations for civil infrastructure.
Course Video
https://vimeo.com/1046518992
Speaker Bio
Dan Tingley, Ph.D., P.Eng., MIEust, CPEng., RPEQ, Senior Wood Technologist / Structural Engineer Wood Research and Development (WRD) Oregon, USA and Caboolture, QLD, Australia
Dr. Dan Tingley graduated from University of New Brunswick with a B. Sc. F.E. and later a M.Sc.C.E. Following this in the 90’s Tingley finished his Ph.D. in wood technology and structural engineering at Oregon State University. He has worked in the wood products field for 40 years. He currently serves as senior engineer for Wood Research and Development and Advanced Research and Development and makes his base in Portland Oregon. He has won the Civil Engineering Research Foundation’s Charles Pankow Award for Structural Innovation as well as the Nova Award for all construction products issued by Construction Innovation Forum for his pioneer work in high strength fiber reinforcement of wood and wood composites. Tingley holds over 40 patents worldwide and has over 125 referred and non referred publications. He specializes in timber structures design and restoration with a significant interest in timber bridges. He is currently acting as senior engineer providing oversight on 20 timber bridge restoration projects world-wide.
Glulam (glued-laminated timber) is an engineered structural wood product that consists of multiple individual layers of dimension lumber that are glued together under controlled conditions. All Canadian glulam is manufactured using waterproof adhesives for end jointing and for face bonding and is therefore suitable for both exterior and interior applications. Glulam has high structural capacity and is also an attractive architectural building material.
Glulam is commonly used in post and beam, heavy timber and mass timber structures, as well as wood bridges. Glulam is a structural engineered wood product used for headers, beams, girders, purlins, columns, and heavy trusses. Glulam is also manufactured as curved members, which are typically loaded in combined bending and compression. It can also be shaped to create pitched tapered beams and a variety of load bearing arch and trusses configurations. Glulam is often employed where the structural members are left exposed as an architectural feature.
Available sizes of glulam
Standard sizes have been developed for Canadian glued-laminated timber to allow optimum utilization of lumber which are multiples of the dimensions of the lamstock used for glulam manufacture. Suitable for most applications, standard sizes offer the designer economy and fast delivery. Other non-standard dimensions may be specially ordered at additional cost because of the extra trimming required to produce non-standard sizes. The standard widths and depths of glulam are shown in Table 6.7, below. The depth of glulam is a function of the number of laminations multiplied by the lamination thickness. For economy, 38 mm laminations are used wherever possible, and 19 mm laminations are used where greater degrees of curvature are required.
Standard widths of glulam
Standard finished widths of glulam members and common widths of the laminating stock they are made from are given in Table 4 below. Single widths of stock are used for the complete width dimension for members less than 275 mm (10-7/8″) wide. However, members wider than 175 mm (6-7/8″) may consist of two boards laid side by side. All members wider than 275 mm (10-7/8″) are made from two pieces of lumber placed side by side, with edge joints staggered within the depth of the member. Members wider than 365 mm (14-1/4″) are manufactured in 50 mm (2″) width increments, but will be more expensive than standard widths. Manufacturers should be consulted for advice.
Initial width of glulam stock
Finished width of glulam stock
mm.
in.
mm.
in.
89
3-1/2
80
3
140
5-1/2
130
5
184
7-1/4
175
6-7/8
235 (or 89 + 140)
9-1/4 (or 3-1/2 + 5-1/2)
225 (or 215)
8-7/8 (or 8-1/2)
286 (or 89 + 184)
11-1/4 (or 3-1/2 + 7-1/4)
275 (or 265)
10-7/8 (or 10-1/4)
140 + 184
5-1/2 + 7-1/4
315
12-1/4
140 + 235
5-1/2 + 9-1/4
365
14-1/4
Notes:
Members wider than 365 mm (14-1/4″) are available in 50 mm (2″) increments but require a special order.
Members wider than 175 mm (6-7/8″) may consist of two boards laid side by side with logitudinal joints staggered in adjacent laminations.
Standard depths of glulam
Standard depths for glulam members range from 114 mm (4-1/2″) to 2128 mm (7′) or more in increments of 38 mm (1-1/2″) and l9 mm (3/4″). A member made from 38 mm (1-1/2″) laminations costs significantly less than an equivalent member made from l9 mm (3/4″) laminations. However, the l9 mm (3/4″) laminations allow for a greater amount of curvature than do the 38 mm (1-1/2″) laminations.
Width
in.
Depth range
mm
in.
80
3
114 to 570
4-1/2 to 22-1/2
130
5
152 to 950
6 to 37-1/2
175
6-7/8
190 to 1254
7-1/2 to 49-1/2
215
8-1/2
266 to 1596
10-1/2 to 62-3/4
265
10-1/4
342 to 1976
13-1/2 to 77-3/4
315
12-1/4
380 to 2128
15 to 83-3/4
365
14-1/4
380 to 2128
15 to 83-3/4
Note:
1. Intermediate depths are multiples of the lamination thickness, which is 38 mm (1-1/2″ nom.) except for some curved members that require 19 mm (3/4″ nom.) laminations.
Laminating stock may be end jointed into lengths of up to 40 m (130′) but the practical limitation may depend on transportation clearance restrictions. Therefore, shipping restrictions for a given region should be determined before specifying length, width or shipping height.
Glulam appearance grades
In specifying Canadian glulam products, it is necessary to indicate both the stress grade and the appearance grade required. The appearance of glulam is determined by the degree of finish work done after laminating and not by the appearance of the individual lamination pieces.
Glulam is available in the following appearance grades:
Industrial
Commercial
Quality
The appearance grade defines the amount of patching and finishing work done to the exposed surfaces after laminating (Table 6.8) and has no strength implications. Quality grade provides the greatest degree of finishing and is intended for applications where appearance is important. Industrial grade has the least amount of finishing.
Grade
Description
Industrial Grade
Intended for use where appearance is not a primary concern such as in industrial buildings; laminating stock may contain natural characteristics allowed for specified stress grade; sides planed to specified dimensions but occasional misses and rough spots allowed; may have broken knots, knot holes, torn grain, checks, wane and other irregularities on surface.
Commercial Grade
Intended for painted or flat-gloss varnished surfaces; laminating stock may contain natural characteristics allowed for specified stress grade; sides planed to specified dimensions and all squeezed-out glue removed from surface; knot holes, loose knots, voids, wane or pitch pockets are not replaced by wood inserts or filler on exposed surface.
Quality Grade
Intended for high-gloss transparent or polished surfaces, displays natural beauty of wood for best aesthetic appeal; laminating stock may contain natural characteristics allowed for specified stress grade; sides planed to specified dimensions and all squeezed-out glue removed from surface; may have tight knots, firm heart stain and medium sap stain on sides; slightly broken or split knots, slivers, torn grain or checks on surface filled; loose knots, knot holes, wane and pitch pockets removed and replaced with non-shrinking filler or with wood inserts matching wood grain and colour; face laminations free of natural characteristics requiring replacement; faces and sides sanded smooth.
Glulam camber
For long straight members, glulam is usually manufactured with a built in camber to ensure positive drainage by negating deflection. This ability to provide positive camber is a major advantage of glulam. Recommended cambers are shown in Table 5 below.
Table 5: Camber Recommendations for Glulam Roof Beams
Type of Structure
Recommendation
Simple Glulam Roof Beams
Camber equal to deflection due to dead load plus half of live load or 30 mm per 10 m (1″ per 30′) of span; where ponding may occur, additional camber is usually provided for roof drainage.
Simple Glulam Floor Beams
Camber equal to dead load plus one quarter live load deflection or no camber.
Bowstring and Pitched Trusses
Only the bottom chord is cambered. For a continuous glulam bottom chord; camber in bottom chord equal to 20 mm per 10 m (3/4″ in 30′) of span.
Flat Roof Trusses (Howe and Pratt Roof Trusses)
Camber in top and bottom glulam chords equal to 30 mm per 10 m (1″ in 30′) of span.
Glulam manufacture
The dimension lumber pieces that make up glulam are end jointed and arranged in horizontal layers or laminations. The lumber used for the manufacture of glulam is a special grade (lamstock) that is purchased directly from lumber mills. The lamstock is dried to a maximum moisture content of 15 percent and planed to a closer tolerance than that required for visually graded lumber. Laminating multiple pieces together is an effective way of using high strength dimension lumber of limited length to manufacture glulam members in many cross sectional shapes and lengths. The special grade of lumber used for glulam, lamstock, is received and stored at the laminating plant under controlled conditions. The lamstock must be dried to a moisture content of between 7 and 15% before laminating to maximize adhesion and minimize shrinkage in service. The lumber laminations (lamstock) are visually and mechanically sorted for strength and stiffness into lamstock grades. The assessments of strength and stiffness are used to determine where a given piece will be situated in a beam or column. For example, high strength pieces are placed in the outermost laminations of a beam where the bending stresses are the greatest and for columns and tension members, the stronger laminations are more equally distributed. This blending of strength characteristics is known as grade combination and ensures consistent performance of the finished product. The laminations are glued under pressure using a waterproof adhesive. See Figure 3.7, below, for a schematic representation of glulam manufacture. Glulam beams may also be cambered, which means that they may be produced with a slight upward bow so that the amount of deflection under service loads is reduced. A typical camber is 2 to 4 mm per metre of length. Glulam is manufactured to meet the requirements outlined in CSA O122 Structural GluedLaminated Timber.
Quality Control
Glulam is an engineered wood product requiring exacting quality control at all stages of manufacture. Certified manufacturing plants adhere to quality control standards that govern lumber grading, finger joining, gluing and finishing. Canadian manufacturers of glulam are required to be qualified and certified under CSA O177 Qualification Code for Manufacturers of Structural Glued- Laminated Timber. This standard sets mandatory guidelines for equipment, manufacturing, testing and record keeping procedures. As a mandatory manufacturing procedure, tests must be routinely performed on several critical manufacturing steps, and recording of test results must be done. For example, representative samples are tested for adequacy of glue bond and all end joints are stress tested to ensure that each joint exceeds the design requirements. Each member fabricated has a quality assurance record indicating glue bond test results, lumber grading, end joint test and laminating conditions for each member fabricated, including glue spread rate, assembly time, curing conditions and curing time. In addition, mandatory quality audits are performed by independent certification agencies to ensure that in-plant procedures meet the requirements of the manufacturing standard. A certificate of conformance to manufacturing standards for a given glulam order is available upon request.
Glulam species
Glulam is primarily produced in Canada from two species groups; Douglas fir-Larch and SprucePine. Hem-Fir species are also used occasionally.
Canadian Glulam – Commercial Species
Commercial Species Group Designation
Species in Combination
Wood Characteristics
Douglas Fir-Larch (D.Fir-L)
Douglas fir, western larch
Woods similar in strength and weight. High degree of hardness and good resistance to decay. Good nail holding, gluing and painting qualities. Colour ranges from reddish-brown to yellowish-white.
Hem-Fir
Western hemlock, amabilis fir, Douglas fir
Lightwoods that work easily, take paint well and hold nails well. Good gluing characteristics. Colour range is yellow-brown to white.
Spruce-Pine
Spruce (all species except coast sitka spruce), lodgepole pine, jack pine
Woods of similar characteristics, they work easily, take paint easily and hold nails well. Generally white to pale yellow in colour.
Glulam strength grades
In specifying Canadian glulam products, it is necessary to indicate both the stress grade and the appearance grade required. The specification of the appropriate stress grade depends on whether the intended end use of a member is for a beam, a column, or a tension member as shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Canadian Glulam – Stress Grades
Stress Grade
Species
Description
Bending Grades
20f-E and 20f-EX
D.Fir-L or Spruce Pine
Used for members stressed principally in bending (beams) or in combined bending and axial load.
24f-E and 24f-EX
D.Fir-L or Hem-Fir
Specify EX when members are subject to positive and negative moments or when members are subject to combined bending and axial load such as arches and truss top chords.
Compression Grades
16c-E 12c-E
D.Fir-L Spruce Pine
Used for members stressed principally in axial compression, such as columns.
Tension Grades
18t-E 14t-E
D.Fir-L Spruce Pine
Used for members stressed principally in axial tension, such as bottom chords of trusses.
For the bending grades of 20f-E, 20f-EX, 24f-E and 24f-EX, the numbers 20 and 24 indicate allowable bending stress for bending in Imperial units (2000 and 2400 pounds per square inch). Similarly the descriptions for compression grades,16c-E and 12c-E, and tension grades,18t-E and 14t-E indicate the allowable compression and tension stresses. The “E” indicates that most laminations must be tested for stiffness by machine. The lower case letters indicate the use of the grade as follows: “f” is for flexural (bending) members, “c” is for compression members, and “t” is for tension members. Stress grades with EX designation (20f-EX and 24f-EX) are specifically designed for cases where bending members are subjected to stress reversals. In these members the lamination requirements in the tension side are the mirror image of those in the compression side. Unlike visually graded sawn timbers where there is a correlation between appearance and strength, there is no relationship between the stress grades and the appearance grades of glulam since the exposed surface can be altered or repaired without affecting the strength characteristics.
Moisture Control of Glulam
The checking of wood is due to differential shrinkage of the wood fibres in the inner and outer portions of a wood member. Glulam is manufactured from lamstock having a moisture content of 7 to 15 percent. Because this range approximates the moisture conditions for most end uses, checking is minimal in glulam members. Proper transit, storage and construction methods help to avoid rapid changes in the moisture content of laminated members. Severe moisture content changes can result from the sudden application of heat to buildings under construction in cold weather, or from exposure of unprotected members to alternate wet and dry conditions as might occur during transit and storage. Canadian glulam routinely receives a coat of protective sealer before shipping and is wrapped for protection during shipping and erection. The wrapping should be left in place as long as possible and ideally until permanent protection from the weather is in place. During on-site storage, glulam should be stored off the ground with spacer blocks placed between members. If construction delays occur, the wrapping should be cut on the underside to prevent the accumulation of condensation.
Treatment and sealant for glulam
Preservative treatment is not often required but should be specified for any application where ground contact is likely. Advice on suitable preservative treatment should be sought from the manufacturer. Untreated glulam can be used in humid environments such as swimming pools, curling rinks or in industrial buildings which use water in their manufacturing process. Where the ends of glulam members will be subject to wetting, protective overhangs or flashings should be provided. In applications where direct water contact is not a factor, a factory applied sealer will prevent large swings in moisture content. The alkyd sealer applied to glulam members in the factory provides adequate protection for most high-humidity applications. Since wood is corrosion-resistant, glulam is used in many corrosive environments such as salt storage domes and potash warehousing.
Practical and Advanced Modeling for Design and Performance of Mass Timber Structures
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 modelling is the first of its kind, bringing together the experience gained from recently built timber projects with the latest research development in the modelling of timber structures. Computer modelling is essential for analyzing and designing mid- and high-rise buildings and long-span structures. It is also a valuable tool for optimizing wood-based products, connections, and systems that improve structural performance. This useful guide supports the application and development of timber construction given that timber structures increasingly require demonstration of performance or equivalency through computer modelling, regardless of whether prescriptive or performance-based design procedures are used. This session offers an overview of the guide, which includes a wide range of practical and advanced modelling topics, such as key modelling principles, methods, and techniques specific to timber structures; modelling approaches and considerations for wood-based components, connections, and assemblies; and analytical approaches and considerations for timber structures during progressive collapse, wind, and earthquake events. It also presents the differences in the modelling approaches to timber, steel, and concrete structures.
Learning Objectives
Coming Soon
Course Video
https://vimeo.com/1046545354
Speaker Bio
Dorian Tung Manager Building Systems of Sustainable Construction Innovation Centres of Excellence FPInnovations
Dr. Dorian Tung is currently the Vancouver Manager for Building Systems of Sustainable Construction Innovation Centres of Excellence in FPInnovations. He has 20 years of experience in industry and academia. He has dealt with intellectual properties, knowledge transfer, and research dissemination. In addition to delivering research and development, he has been responsible for project management, sales, and marketing, as well as developing and maintaining business relationship. Dorian is a licensed professional engineer in Canada and USA, and also holds LEED certification, Building Design + Construction, from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). He has designed a variety of structural systems and is experienced with various construction materials. Dorian has a strong portfolio in developing innovative structural solutions to achieve resilience. He has ongoing collaborations with researchers and scientists around the world to apply state-of-the-art technologies.
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.
Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 25, issue 101
Every issue of Wood Design & Building tells a different story about how wood is shaping contemporary construction. Some editions revolve around a clear theme such as our recent issue on strategic additions and adaptive reuse; others, like this one, reflect the diversity of challenges, innovations, and contexts that define wood construction today. What unites the features in this issue is not a single building type or region, but a shared commitment to thoughtful planning, ingenuity, and execution.
We begin in the mountains of British Columbia, where the Robson Cabin project pushes the limits of planning and coordination. Accessible only by helicopter, the remote alpine site demanded meticulous preparation, high levels of prefabrication, and an unwavering attention to detail. Alongside the technical complexity, the construction crew also contended with less predictable site conditions—including a persistent population of porcupines, whose curiosity added a memorable twist to an already remarkable build.
From there, we turn to one of the most sought-after—and often elusive—topics in the industry: cost. Reliable, project-specific costing data for mass timber buildings remains rare, and cost uncertainty can be a barrier to wider adoption of mass timber construction. This issue features an overview of a new mass timber business case study published by WoodWorks BC, which presents detailed cost, schedule, and design data from three projects. By comparing mass timber systems to conventional construction approaches across three building types, the study offers valuable insight into real-world construction costs, decision-making, and the strategies that can bring mass timber into cost parity.
Our final feature takes us to Trenton, Nova Scotia, for a virtual construction tour of the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame, a community-focused project being realized through close collaboration between designers, builders, and trades. The one-storey building brings together panelized engineered wood walls, traditional light wood frame construction, and a central mass timber foyer, showcasing a deliberate “right material in the right place” approach. Built using offsite fabrication and carefully sequenced installation, the project demonstrates how coordination and precision can be leveraged to deliver a refined wood building that balances efficiency, constructability, and architectural expression.
Together, these stories offer a snapshot of a sector defined by creativity, technical rigor, and resilience—whether navigating rugged mountain terrain, unpacking the realities of construction costs, or reimagining how cultural buildings are delivered. We hope they inform, inspire, and perhaps even entertain.
Tall Timber and Affordable Housing: A Case Study
Course Overview
As cities face growing pressures around affordability, climate resilience, and livability, innovative projects like Catalyst’s 18-storey CLT rental development in North Vancouver offer necessary solutions. Targeted toward architects, engineers, developers, and municipal leaders, this session explores sustainable mass timber construction and affordable housing. Attendees will gain insights into using CLT in construction and the unique challenges. In-depth review of challenges such as structural grid constraints, moisture protection, and prefabricated balcony systems, and how the team transformed these into creative solutions. Furthermore, it will provide insight into integrated mixed-use programming, BIM-enhanced coordination, and the permitting process for tall wood buildings, with practical takeaways for implementing similar projects in other cities.
Learning Objectives
Identify how and why hybridization is commonly required at height when it comes to mass timber buildings.
Explain key technical constraints and solutions for tall CLT buildings, including structural grid/panelization limits, diaphragm load paths to the core, rolling shear considerations, and balcony-to-envelope integration strategies.
Apply practical construction and coordination lessons for tall mass timber—moisture management, prefabricated enclosure sequencing, BIM-based clash detection, and early supplier/contractor involvement—to reduce risk and protect the CLT during construction.
Course Video
https://vimeo.com/1165681230
Speakers Bio
Rhys Leitch Principal Integra Architecture Inc.
Rhys Leitch has been a principal at Integra since 2018, he has worked on award-winning projects ranging from sustainable design, high-end single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use residential developments. Originally from Australia, Rhys brings a unique approach to contemporary west coast architecture, paying special attention to the way materials, massing, and design respond to the context of a site. Recently his focus has been CLT mid and high rise projects, pushing the boundaries in different mass timber housing typologies.
Sean Binns Project Director Kindred Construction
Sean is a proven construction leader with over 20 years of experience delivering major residential and commercial projects across the UK and Canada. As Project Director at Kindred Construction, he leads complex builds and champions innovation in mass timber, Passive House, and modular construction. A mentor and speaker, Sean fosters industry talent through strong partnerships with local universities.
Harrison Glotman Principal Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers
Harrison Glotman is a Principal at Glotman Simpson with several years of experience working on complex projects across Canada and the U.S. Prior to joining Glotman Simpson, Harrison worked on high-end homes and retrofits in some of the most iconic buildings in New York and San Francisco. He completed his Master of Science in Structural Engineering with a full scholarship to Stanford University where he specialized in seismic engineering. The knowledge gained through this degree has proven to be incredibly valuable in building design on the West Coast.
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,...
A Zero Carbon Hybrid Wood Supertall Future
...full scale testing of the 12-meter panels starting in late 2022. Learning Objectives Describe how hybrid mass timber systems—such as the Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS)—reduce embodied carbon and support...
Dowel Laminated Timber A new mass timber product in North America
Course Overview Dowel‐laminated timber is a next generation mass timber product commonly used in Europe, where it is also known as brettstapel. Panels are made from softwood lumber boards stacked...
...lumber (LSL), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and other large-dimensioned structural composite lumber (SCL) products are part of a bigger classification known as ‘mass timber’. Although mass timber is an emerging...
Unlocking Affordable Timber Innovations in Structure, Prefabrication, and Code
Course Overview Bond Tower is a 7-storey mixed-use prototype that asks a critical question: how can mass timber be made cost-effective in the Prairies, where supply chains are limited, demand...
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...
CLT Design Considerations
...He specializes in timber structures design and restoration with a significant interest in timber bridges. He is currently acting as senior engineer providing oversight on 20 timber bridge restoration projects...
...warehousing. Common glulam shapes For more information on individual glulam manufacturers in Canada, refer to the following links: Western Archrib Mercer Mass Timber Nordic Structures Goodfellow Kalesnikoff Mass timber Element5...
Practical and Advanced Modeling for Design and Performance of Mass Timber Structures
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 modelling is the first of its...
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...
Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 25, issue 101
...a barrier to wider adoption of mass timber construction. This issue features an overview of a new mass timber business case study published by WoodWorks BC, which presents detailed cost,...
Tall Timber and Affordable Housing: A Case Study
...engineers, developers, and municipal leaders, this session explores sustainable mass timber construction and affordable housing. Attendees will gain insights into using CLT in construction and the unique challenges. In-depth review...
AcoustiTECH’s innovative and effective acoustic solutions made New York’s first mass timber residential project a triumph of modern design and sound comfort. Discover how...
Setting a new standard in Canada’s tallest mass timber structure, Soprema Insonomat system provided an ideal balance of sustainability, safety, and superior sound...
