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Searching for: Sustainability

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Building Canada’s Future With Wood

Course Overview

This session will feature thought leaders in a podcast-style conversation exploring the evolving role of wood in Canadian construction. Through a series of rotating interviews, the discussion will highlight key themes including the rise of mass timber and tallwood buildings, the shift toward offsite construction, and wood’s potential to address the housing affordability crisis. The session offers a forward-looking yet grounded perspective on the opportunities and complexities shaping the industry.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand how mass timber and tall wood construction are transitioning from niche applications to mainstream use in Canadian mid- and high-rise buildings.
  2. Understand how prefabrication, modularization, and early team integration influence cost, schedule, and risk outcomes in wood construction projects.
  3. Explain how mass timber can support institutional, residential, and mixed-use project goals related to sustainability, constructability, and housing delivery.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Russell Hixson
Editor
SiteNews

Russell Hixson is an award-winning investigative journalist who began his career covering crime and courts in the United States before transitioning into Canada’s construction sector. He spent eight years at the Journal of Commerce, where he developed deep expertise in the industry and its key issues. He has also reported on the federal budget from Ottawa and documented the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while working remotely. Hixson has developed a strong interest in the construction industry and is passionate about sharing its stories through SiteNews, with the goal of engaging and informing a broader audience.

Jana Foit
Principal, Higher Education Practice Lead
Perkins&Will, Vancouver

Jana Foit is a Principal and Higher Education Practice Lead at Perkins&Will’s Vancouver studio. With over two decades of experience, she has led numerous mass timber projects, including the Earth Science Building and Gateway Building at the University of British Columbia, as well as the BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on mass timber design and contributes to several industry publications, including the Nail Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide, the Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings, and the Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada.

Robert Malczyk
Principal
Timber Engineering Inc.

Robert Malczyk is one of a small number of university-trained specialized timber engineers. After completing his master’s degree at Warsaw University of Technology, he moved to Canada to study under the renowned Professor Borg Madsen at the University of British Columbia. In 1997, he co-founded Equilibrium Consulting Inc., contributing to award-winning projects such as the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Galleria Italia designed by Frank Gehry. In 2021, he co-founded Timber Engineering Inc. He currently works on projects across Canada, the United States, and Asia. His expertise focuses on a systems-based approach to mass timber design, with an emphasis on structural efficiency and energy performance.

Andrew Stiffman
Vice President, Construction Services
Kalesnikoff

Andrew Stiffman brings diverse project experience across single-family homes, large-scale passive house developments, and low- to mid-rise mass timber construction. At Kalesnikoff Mass Timber, he oversees the full project lifecycle of prefabricated and mass timber projects, from early-stage discussions through to completion. His background in building science, development management, and hands-on high-performance construction enables him to combine technical expertise with practical delivery, leading multidisciplinary teams to successful project outcomes.

Building Confidence in Low Carbon Construction: De-risking Mass Timber

Course Overview

This presentation explores how insurance can unlock opportunity by aligning risk strategies with sustainability goals. It will provide an analysis of the Canadian and Global insurance market and explain why mass timber has become such a hot topic for insurers. Critical risk mitigation strategies will be discussed as well as various options on how to address many of the more common moisture management problems encountered in construction.

Learning Objectives

  1. Why is Mass Timber a focus area of the insurance industry?
  2. How do I design and position my project to achieve cost effective risk transfer?
  3. What are some of the most common types of insured loss and how do I avoid them?

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Alicia Clendenan
SVP – National Director of Sustainable Construction
Aon

Alicia is a socially conscious business professional with a passion for complex construction and infrastructure projects. She leads Aon’s Sustainable and Alternative Construction practice across Canada and has more than 15 years of risk and insurance advisory experience. She also serves as Aon’s global mass timber working group chair and is involved in a number of industry initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to insurance for mass timber construction as well as enhancing both the breadth of coverage offered by insurers and improving the industry adopted best practices for risk mitigation in construction.

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

  1. Learn how NLT and prefabrication strategies can reduce cost, waste, and construction time, making timber more feasible in the Prairies.
  2. Explore structural detailing approaches that simplify connections and reduce cost, while addressing fire, durability, and acoustic performance in timber design.
  3. Examine how alternative solutions can improve the financial feasibility of 6–8 storey timber projects and support broader code updates across Canada.

Course Video

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

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Discover the world’s first 10-storey exposed mass timber academic tower at George Brown College. This landmark project proves that sustainable, innovative, and human-centred design can stand tall together.

 

Building What’s Possible

George Brown College’s Limberlost Place redefines what’s possible with mass timber construction. Rising 10 storeys above the college’s Toronto waterfront campus, this project is currently the largest exposed mass timber building of its occupancy type in the world.

Designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in joint venture with Acton Ostry Architects, built by PCL Construction, and realized in partnership with George Brown College, Limberlost Place demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can create a new model for sustainable development.

 

Sustainability at Scale

Mass timber is more than a building material — it’s a climate solution. This project shows that Canada’s design and construction industry is leading the way to a net-zero future.

By prioritizing wood construction, Limberlost:

  • Reduces carbon emissions significantly.
  • Creates healthy, biophilic spaces that support learning and well-being.
  • Proves that large-scale, low-carbon construction is achievable today.

 

Powered by Partnerships

Limberlost Place was made possible through strong collaboration. George Brown College worked alongside architects, engineers, and construction partners to deliver a bold vision: a living classroom where future designers, builders, and innovators can study inside the very spaces shaping tomorrow’s built environment.

 

A Blueprint for the Future

Limberlost Place is more than a single project. It’s a blueprint for how to build smarter and faster. By combining mass timber with hybrid engineering solutions, this project has set a new benchmark for low carbon construction in Canada and beyond.

 


Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

 

This video case study was made possible through funding support from Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Wood Council.

FRAMEWORK for Success: Prefabricated Wood Systems and Design Innovation

Course Overview

This presentation explores the transformative impact of prefabricated light wood frame construction systems in multi-residential development, focusing on VanMar’s FRAMEWORK methodology and its application in the new 150 Wissler Road project in Waterloo. FRAMEWORK is a highly efficient, panelized light wood frame system designed for buildings up to six storeys, delivering rapid, sustainable, and cost-effective construction that meets and exceeds energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets. The session will highlight VanMar’s extensive experience in affordable housing, the advantages of offsite prefabrication, and the collaborative process that accelerates project delivery. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Participants will understand the benefits of prefabricated wood frame construction for multi-residential buildings.
  2. Participants will understand the FRAMEWORK system’s approach to speed, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
  3. Participants will be shown how collaborative offsite construction methods accelerated the 150 Wissler Road project.
  4. Participants will learn strategies for overcoming design challenges and achieving efficiencies in fire walls, shafts, and acoustics.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Jordan Zekveld  
Director of Preconstruction
VanMar Constrcutors ON

Jordan is a construction and development professional with deep experience in estimating, preconstruction, and cost strategy for multi-unit residential projects. At VanMar Constructors, he helps developers, REITs, and non-profits bring condominium, rental, and affordable housing projects from concept to construction. Drawing on VanMar’s integrated design-build expertise, Jordan leads collaborative preconstruction processes that align design intent, feasibility, and cost efficiency. His experience spans concrete high-rise and innovative mid-rise wood-frame developments, including the Framework system — VanMar’s sustainable, fast, and cost-effective building solution. With a focus on clarity, constructability, and long-term value, Jordan works at the intersection of planning, design, and execution to help deliver housing that’s efficient, affordable, and built to last.

Mike Philips 
Executive Director
Ontario Structural Wood Association (OSWA)

Mike Phillips has served as Executive Director of OSWA since 2008. Under his leadership, the association has evolved from a truss-fabricator-focused group into Ontario’s leading voice for structural wood component manufacturing. Today, the province is home to 70 certified truss plants and 40 wood-panel manufacturers, with engineered wood products now the preferred choice for floor systems. At the same time, Ontario’s building code has never been more prepared to accommodate advanced wood-construction methods. Mike is a strong advocate for the industrialization of construction and the expanding role of off-site building systems—critical drivers of wood construction’s future growth.

Paul Marchesani 
Operations Manager
Panelized Building Solutions Inc.

Paul Marchesani is the Vice President of Panelized Building Solutions Inc., a family run business where he plays a key leadership role in driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and project execution across the company. Known for his strong work ethic, hands-on approach, and deep industry knowledge, Paul oversees day-to-day operations while supporting long-term planning that aligns with the company’s vision. Before joining Panelized Building Solutions, Paul held key roles in project management and operations within manufacturing and construction environments, where he oversaw production teams, implemented process improvements, and helped streamline workflow efficiencies. His ability to manage both people and complex technical projects made him a natural fit for leadership. Respected by colleagues, clients, and trade partners alike, Paul combines technical expertise with strong leadership, making him an essential pillar of the company’s continued success.

International Perspectives on Sustainable Housing Development

Course Overview

Around the world there is a significant and growing housing shortage that is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and population growth. This challenge demands innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability, occupant comfort, and efficient land use. This panel discussion brings together three internationally renowned architects: Francine Houben (Mecanoo, the Netherlands), Christophe Ouhayoun (KOZ Architects, France), and Geoff Denton (White Arkitekter, Sweden) to explore their approaches to sustainable housing. Each panelist will share their unique perspective on how to address housing shortages and sustainable densification, offering insights into the latest design strategies, materials, and technologies that can contribute to more resilient and equitable urban environments. Join us for a dynamic conversation that will delve into the future of housing and the role of architecture in creating livable, sustainable cities. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand how international architects approach sustainable housing development, including wood‑based construction, urban densification, and low‑carbon strategies.
  2. Compare differing regulatory, cultural, and construction‑industry conditions that influence mass timber, modularity, prefabrication, and approval processes in Sweden, France, and Canada.
  3. Identify urban‑design principles used to create healthy, community‑oriented neighborhoods.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Francine Houben
Founding Partner, Creative Director
Mecanoo, the Netherlands

Francine Houben is founding partner of Mecanoo (1984) and has led the firm to success in The Netherlands and abroad, amassing a portfolio of work that is wide-ranging, inspired by global challenges and with a sustainable view on society. Mecanoo combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and interior design to produce unorthodox design solutions born from a strong sensitivity to context and a highly interdisciplinary design process. Each of her projects illustrates the four fundamental elements of her architectural vision: People, Place, Purpose, Poetry. Francine Houben was professor of mobility aesthetics at Delft University of Technology and taught at the universities of Harvard, Yale and Mendrisio. As curator of the First International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (2003), she brought the theme of the aesthetics of mobility to the forefront of international design consciousness. Francine holds Honorary Fellowships of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and was granted lifelong membership to the Akademie der Künste in Berlin as well as receiving the International Honorary Fellow Award by the Architecture Institute of Taiwan. In 2014 Francine was named Woman Architect of the Year by the Architects’ Journal and in November 2015 Queen Máxima of The Netherlands presented her with the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Prize for her wide-ranging career. Francine was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the Université de Mons, Belgium (2017) and the Utrecht University (2016). In 2018 she received the BNA Kubus Award for her oeuvre; the International Prize, Prix des Femmes Architectes (2019) and distinguished with the TU Delft Alumnus of the Year (2020). In 2024, King Willem-Alexander appointed Francine Houben as a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Christophe Ouhayoun
Founding Partner Architect
KOZ Architects, France

Christophe Ouhayoun is a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. He currently serves as a State Architect Advisor in the Aveyron department. In 1999, he co-founded KOZ Architectes with Nicolas Ziesel. A pioneer in wood architecture since 2001, he recently delivered Lot E of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Village as co-coordinator within the Nexity-Eiffage team. In addition to his architectural work, he co-founded: KOZTO, a workshop dedicated to the creation of up-cycled furniture. PLAN01, a collaborative “”second office”” active from 2003 to 2014, in partnership with Atelier du Pont, BP Architectures, and Philéas. PLAN02, an integrated environmental consulting firm. Alongside his private practice, Christophe Ouhayoun works as a visiting professor at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers and at the École spéciale d’architecture de Paris.

Geoff Denton
Partner Architect
White Arkitekter, Sweden

Geoff Denton is an architect and urban designer who has led residential, educational and mixed-use urban design and architectural projects across the UK, Europe and North America. Educated at Sheffield University in the UK, his career in Sweden notably led him to the role of lead architect for the implementation of Greenwich Millennium Village for Ralph Erskine Architect. This project marked the beginning of his focus on socially and environmentally sustainable urban development and regeneration. He joined White Arkitekter in 2011 and is now a partner and member of the board of directors. During his time at White he has led award winning urban design projects and was responsible for starting White Arkitekter’s London Studio. The studio has been built on the goal to share knowledge and experience of sustainable development and offsite fabrication methods used throughout the Nordics. Key projects developed during the first years of the London studio include the Climate Innovation District in Leeds and the Gascoigne estate regeneration in London. Geoff is now based in Stockholm where he works with diverse complex international projects. His approach to architecture is collaborative and he strongly believes that good design solutions are very much about creating places where people feel secure and invigorated.

Design and Construction of Permanent Wood Foundations – The Buildings Show 2025

Course Overview

This session will provide requirements and guidance on the design and construction of permanent wood foundations (PWF) based on the Canadian standard; CSA S406-16 – ‘Specification of permanent wood foundations for housing and small buildings’. Further information on site selection, backfilling, PWF floor systems, air and vapour barriers, insulation techniques, crawl spaces and design requirements for high wind and seismic zones will be discussed. This session will provide attendees with an overview of the design requirements and construction methods for PWF, with a focus on the structural system and building science considerations. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Apply the design requirements of CSA S406-16 for permanent wood foundations in housing and small buildings.
  2. Identify key building-science considerations for PWF systems, including drainage, air and vapour control, insulation, and crawl space design.
  3. Evaluate site and structural requirements for permanent wood foundations in high wind and seismic regions.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Adam Robertson
Co-founder and Principal
Sustainatree

Adam completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto and also holds a Master of Applied Science degree from the Department of Wood Science at the University of British Columbia. He is the past Chair of the CSA Subcommittee on Permanent Wood Foundations and acted as a primary author and editor during the update and revisions to the Canadian Wood Council’s Permanent Wood Foundations publication. He is the co-founder and principal of Sustainatree Consulting, a small firm specializing in sustainability and engineering design of wood building systems. Prior to opening his own practice, Adam was previously employed by the Canadian Wood Council and has also worked as a consulting structural engineer and within the building development and construction management fields.

Offsite Construction Handbook

Course Overview

Offsite construction is transforming the building industry by shifting key processes from traditional sites to controlled factory environments. This approach enhances productivity, quality, and sustainability, addressing challenges like labor shortages and environmental impact. The delivery process emphasizes early collaboration, integrated design, and robust project management to optimize efficiency and risk management. Durability and energy efficiency are achieved through advanced material selection, moisture management, and airtight, highly insulated assemblies. Construction logistics, quality control, and commissioning are tailored for offsite methods, ensuring rapid, reliable project delivery. Life cycle analysis shows offsite construction can reduce embodied carbon and waste, supporting climate goals. Canada’s evolving policies and market trends position offsite construction as a key solution for affordable, sustainable housing. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand how offsite construction improves the durability, moisture control, and energy performance of wood building systems.
  2. Identify the structural and sustainability benefits of early design integration in offsite wood construction projects.
  3. Evaluate the role of life-cycle analysis and embodied carbon in positioning offsite wood construction as a solution for sustainable and affordable housing in Canada.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Dorian Tung
Manager, Technology Assessment
FPInnovations

Dorian Tung is currently the Manager of Technology Assessment at FPInnovations. Prior to this, he worked as a structural consultant in Canada and the US. As a manager, he has been working with scientists on projects related to structure, seismic, durability, energy, fire, acoustic, and vibration. With the evolving ecosystem, Dorian is active in many working groups to facilitate discussions, remove duplicates, accelerate processes, with the goal to maximize impacts for the forest industry NOW using research data. He is also the editor of the Offsite Wood Construction Handbook published by FPInnovations.

Helen Goodland
Principal. Head of Research and Innovation
SCIUS Advisory

Helen Goodland is an architect registered in the UK and has an MBA from the University of BC. Helen is firmly committed to achieving truly sustainable buildings within the next decade. She is also passionate about advancing leadership opportunities for women in construction technology. To this end, she participates on numerous boards and committees. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of Building Transformations (formerly CanBIM), the BC Digital Advisory Council, the BCIT Mass Timber Education Advisory Board and the University of Victoria’s Green Civil Engineering Advisory Council. She is also past chair of the UN Sustainable Buildings Initiative’s Materials Technical Committee.

Adam Robertson
Co-founder and Principal
Sustainatree

Adam completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto and also holds a Master of Applied Science degree from the Department of Wood Science at the University of British Columbia. He is the past Chair of the CSA Subcommittee on Permanent Wood Foundations and acted as a primary author and editor during the update and revisions to the Canadian Wood Council’s Permanent Wood Foundations publication. He is the co-founder and principal of Sustainatree Consulting, a small firm specializing in sustainability and engineering design of wood building systems. Prior to opening his own practice, Adam was previously employed by the Canadian Wood Council and has also worked as a consulting structural engineer and within the building development and construction management fields.

Construction Moisture Management of Mass Timber Buildings

Course Overview

Mass timber buildings are transforming the way we build—but with new materials come new challenges. This session will explore how moisture risks in mass timber construction and how to take a proactive approach to moisture management. Participants will gain practical insights into effective protection strategies during the construction phase and learn how to develop a tailored moisture management plan to safeguard both the mass timber structure and project timelines. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify key moisture risks specific to mass timber construction and understand how they differ from traditional structural systems.
  2. Apply practical construction-phase moisture protection strategies that align with project sequencing, site conditions, and contractor workflows.
  3. Develop or evaluate a project-specific moisture management plan to protect mass timber elements, reduce delays, and ensure long-term durability.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

David Stanton
Associate, Senior Engineer – Building Enclosure
RDH Building Science Inc.

David is an Associate and Senior Building Science Engineer in RDH Building Science’s Toronto office. David’s exposure to mass timber projects started with the Brock Commons project in BC as a coop student and then with the Catalyst building in Spokane, WA—a 4-storey mass timber building for Eastern Washington University—when he started working full-time in the Building Science field. Since moving back to Toronto, David has continued to work on large scale mass timber projects, including the Lawson Center for Sustainability and the Academic Wood Tower projects at UofT.

Sean Carroll
Senior Superintendent
Graham Construction

Sean Carroll is a Senior Superintendent with Graham Construction, bringing over 32 years of experience across Canada, Europe, and the UK. A civil engineer and journeyman carpenter, Sean has led complex projects in the commercial, residential, pharmaceutical, and educational sectors—including several involving advanced Mass Timber construction. Over his 11 years with Graham, split between Alberta and Ontario, Sean has been at the forefront of integrating sustainable building methods, particularly in the use of engineered timber systems. He brings a deep understanding of Mass Timber coordination, sequencing, and tolerances, along with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and team leadership. Known for his hands-on approach and global perspective, Sean combines technical precision with a collaborative leadership style—driving successful project outcomes from concept through completion.

Natasha Jeremic
Manager, Codes and Standards – Sustainability
Canadian Wood Council

Natasha Jeremic is a Professional Engineer in the building industry, with a background in design, building performance, and project management. She is currently the Sustainability Manager for Codes and Standards at the Canadian Wood Council, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on low-carbon construction, energy efficiency, durability, and circularity. Natasha leverages her expertise in structural design, building envelope consulting, and whole life carbon accounting to showcase how wood products contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon built environment. She is passionate about raising awareness of wood’s role as a viable solution in advancing climate-conscious construction.

Halsa 230 Royal York: Ontario’s Tallest Mass Timber Residential Building

Course Overview

Halsa 230 Royal York is setting new standards as Toronto’s pioneering 9-storey prefabricated mass timber rental building, demonstrating the viability of carbon-neutral communities within Toronto’s Right of Way zoning. Through a case study of the building, this session will present the advantages of integrated design and prefabricated mass timber building systems components.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the integrated design and prefabrication strategies used in mass timber residential construction: Learners will be able to describe how collaborative design, advanced manufacturing, and prefabricated building systems contribute to project efficiency, quality, and scalability.
  2. Analyze the technical features and performance benefits of mass timber floor cassettes and curtain wall systems: Learners will understand the structural, acoustic, fire resistance, and thermal properties of the building’s mass timber components, and how these features address common challenges in high-rise construction.
  3. Evaluate the sustainability, regulatory, and operational considerations in developing carbon-neutral mass timber buildings: Learners will assess how material sourcing, certification, lifecycle carbon analysis, and code compliance shape the viability and impact of mass timber projects in urban environments.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Oliver Lang
Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer, Intelligent City
Co-Founder, Principal, LWPAC

Oliver Lang is a German-Canadian architect and urban entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience and a recognized leader in design innovation and integration of complex urban projects, mixed-use housing, advanced prefabrication, and green building strategies. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, with a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, and he holds a professional degree (Diplom-Ingenieur Architektur) from the University of Technology Berlin with two-year studies at the ETSA Barcelona UPC. Prior to founding LWPAC in 1998, Oliver researched and practiced in digitally assisted design and fabrication with Smith-Miller & Hawkinson in New York, while teaching digital design at Princeton University, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania. He subsequently has taught advanced design and digital technology at SCI_ARC, the Berlage Institute, TU Berlin, UTF Santa Maria, and University of British Columbia (UBC).

Shawn Keyes
VP – Strategic Growth and 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 as a Senior Structural Engineer, developing deep technical expertise. Over his career, Shawn has supported more than 150 mass timber and hybrid projects across Canada, and has served on advisory councils for BC Housing, BCIT, the BC Office of Mass Timber Implementation, Forestry Innovation Investment, and Natural Resources Canada. He holds an MBA from UBC Sauder, a Master of Engineering from Carleton University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in BC and Ontario.

The Future of Tall: The Future of Cities

Course Overview

Over the past two decades, tall buildings have enjoyed a major uptake in almost all major cities globally. But is the push for greater urban density and taller buildings creating habitats and patterns of life that are truly sustainability, in terms of social, cultural and economic sustainability, as well as the carbon equation? Through examples from around the world, this session outlines areas where the typology, and cities, need to develop.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand the sustainability challenges and opportunities in tall building design: Explore how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors influence the development of high-rise structures and urban density.
  2. Identify innovative strategies for integrating mass timber and other sustainable materials in tall buildings: Learn how material choices impact carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and structural performance in high-rise construction.
  3. Analyze global case studies to evaluate future trends in urban development and tall building typologies: Gain insights into design approaches that promote livable, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Dr. Antony Wood
CEO
Antony Wood Consulting

Dr. Antony Wood is the former President of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), responsible for leading the Council’s thought leadership, research, and academic initiatives. Prior to this, he was CTBUH chief executive officer (CEO) from 2006-2022. During his sixteen-year tenure as CEO, CTBUH significantly increased its outputs and initiatives across all areas globally. Wood’s PhD dissertation explored the multi-disciplinary aspects of skybridge connections between tall buildings. He is associate editor of the CTBUH Journal and serves on the editorial board of several other journals. He is the author of numerous books and papers in the fields of tall buildings, sustainability, and related fields. Wood has been conference chair and chair of the scientific committee at all CTBUH conferences since 2006. He has also presented at numerous conferences, and lectures regularly around the world.

Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 24, issue 100

Reaching one hundred issues is a milestone worthy of both celebration and reflection. Wood Design & Building, once upon a time called Wood le Bois, began as a modest trade magazine dedicated to showcasing excellence in wood architecture. Over the years we added special features and technical content that helped us grow a loyal readership and community of wood design advocates.

Recently, our cherished print magazine evolved into a digital, multi-media publication. While this transformation involved a small sense of loss for the printed ways of our past, we remain excited by the expanded potential the new format affords, with a reach far wider than we ever imagined at the outset of this journey. So, while the format may have changed, and content options expanded, our purpose has remained remarkably steady. Issue after issue, we have tried to capture not just great buildings, but the innovations, insights, and architectural aspirations that continue to expand wood’s role in contemporary design and construction.

As we look back, there is a sense of gratitude for all that has unfolded across these pages. Past editions captured early explorations in modern timber construction, the resurgence of adaptive reuse, and the steady shift toward high-performance, low-carbon buildings. Today, advances in mass timber systems, hybrid approaches, and industrialized processes are reshaping how buildings come together. Throughout this evolution, wood has been at the center of conversations about sustainability, long-term value, and design expression. The body of work published over the years reflects not only changing technologies but the steady influence of a material with deep cultural and environmental roots.

It is fitting that our 100th issue is also our special awards edition, honouring the winners of the 2025 Wood Design & Building Awards. These celebrated projects are the latest chapter in the architectural story we have been privileged to document for decades. What distinguishes them is not only their accomplishment today, but what they suggest about tomorrow: a more sustainable built environment defined by technical excellence, architectural warmth, and memorable experiences that transcend program or scale.

To everyone who has contributed, read, shared, and championed this publication—thank you. Reaching 100 issues is deeply meaningful, not because of the number alone, but because it represents a sustained conversation within a community that cares about design, innovation, and the future of building. We remain committed to documenting that evolution, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with you, discovering new stories, and celebrating the work yet to come.

Building Canada’s Future With Wood
Building Confidence in Low Carbon Construction: De-risking Mass Timber
Unlocking Affordable Timber Innovations in Structure, Prefabrication, and Code
Limberlost Place: Video Case Study
FRAMEWORK for Success: Prefabricated Wood Systems and Design Innovation
International Perspectives on Sustainable Housing Development
Design and Construction of Permanent Wood Foundations – The Buildings Show 2025
Offsite Construction Handbook
Construction Moisture Management of Mass Timber Buildings
Halsa 230 Royal York: Ontario’s Tallest Mass Timber Residential Building
The Future of Tall: The Future of Cities
Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 24, issue 100

Building Canada’s Future With Wood

Course Overview This session will feature thought leaders in a podcast-style conversation exploring the evolving role of wood in Canadian construction. Through a series of...

Building Confidence in Low Carbon Construction: De-risking Mass Timber

Course Overview This presentation explores how insurance can unlock opportunity by aligning risk strategies with sustainability goals. It will provide an analysis of the...

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...

Limberlost Place: Video Case Study

Discover the world’s first 10-storey exposed mass timber academic tower at George Brown College. This landmark project proves that sustainable, innovative, and...

FRAMEWORK for Success: Prefabricated Wood Systems and Design Innovation

Course Overview This presentation explores the transformative impact of prefabricated light wood frame construction systems in multi-residential development, focusing on...

International Perspectives on Sustainable Housing Development

Course Overview Around the world there is a significant and growing housing shortage that is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and population growth. This challenge demands...

Design and Construction of Permanent Wood Foundations – The Buildings Show 2025

Course Overview This session will provide requirements and guidance on the design and construction of permanent wood foundations (PWF) based on the Canadian standard; CSA...

Offsite Construction Handbook

Course Overview Offsite construction is transforming the building industry by shifting key processes from traditional sites to controlled factory environments. This approach...

Construction Moisture Management of Mass Timber Buildings

Course Overview Mass timber buildings are transforming the way we build—but with new materials come new challenges. This session will explore how moisture risks in mass...

Halsa 230 Royal York: Ontario’s Tallest Mass Timber Residential Building

Course Overview Halsa 230 Royal York is setting new standards as Toronto’s pioneering 9-storey prefabricated mass timber rental building, demonstrating the viability of...

The Future of Tall: The Future of Cities

Course Overview Over the past two decades, tall buildings have enjoyed a major uptake in almost all major cities globally. But is the push for greater urban density and...

Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 24, issue 100

Reaching one hundred issues is a milestone worthy of both celebration and reflection. Wood Design & Building, once upon a time called Wood le Bois, began as a modest...

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