Course Overview

55 Franklin in Kitchener, Ontario, is a four-building complex of mid-rise residential buildings that the project team is using as an opportunity to explore new and different strategies for delivering quality affordable housing to our Region. Each of the four buildings will be designed as a prototype exploring different construction methodologies and solutions tested against their sustainability impacts. The first building constructed uses a combination of conventional wood framing and mass timber.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the impact of mass timber construction on project timelines and the operational efficiencies it can provide.
2. Analyze the factors influencing the choice of construction methodologies in mid-rise building projects, with a focus on the efficiency and speed of different methods.
3. Evaluate the challenges associated with municipal approvals when using new building materials like mass timber, including the need for alternative compliance solutions.
4. Assess the practical benefits of using Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) in construction, particularly in terms of labor and time savings during the flooring installation process.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Mike Maxwell
President
Maxwell Building Consultants

Mike was drawn to Waterloo for his degree from Laurier University and has seen local real estate development potential ever since. A combination of zoning bylaw rules, site data chart statistics and construction knowledge produce unique results for projects that he is involved with. He loves the math and the problem solving. In an advisory position with local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and CMHC, Mike has created strong partnerships to move the cause of affordable housing forward.

Course Overview

This presentation will describe the role of the wood industry in mitigating the impacts the built environment has on climate change. Learn about the importance of embodied carbon in construction and how wood has the ability to influence positive change in the building sector’s decarbonization efforts.

This session will highlight current research programs such as National Research Council Canada’s initiative on Low-carbon assets through life cycle assessment (LCA2) and emerging initiatives such as embodied carbon provisions in municipal and national building standards and codes.

Learning Objectives

These objectives are aligned with key concepts in sustainability, building regulations, and lifecycle assessments within the building sector.

1. Understanding Embodied Carbon:
   Objective: To learn what embodied carbon is, how it is relevant to building materials, and its implications for sustainability in construction.
   Relevance: Knowing the sources of embodied carbon helps in making informed decisions about material selection to reduce environmental impact.
2. Role of Wood in Sustainable Construction:
   Objective: To understand the environmental benefits of using wood in construction, including its properties as a low-carbon material.
   Relevance: Grasping why wood is considered a sustainable choice can influence policies, building practices, and material selection, supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
3. Biogenic Carbon Concept:
   Objective: To comprehend what biogenic carbon is, how it is stored in wood, and the significance of using wood to capture and store carbon.
   Relevance: Learning about biogenic carbon can lead to greater appreciation of sustainable forestry and its role in carbon sequestration, promoting the use of renewable resources.
4. Regulatory Expectations and Future Trends in Building Materials:
   Objective: To gain insight into future regulatory changes regarding building materials, specifically the focus on reducing embodied carbon.
   Relevance: Understanding these regulatory trends prepares professionals to comply with upcoming standards and encourages the adoption of sustainable practices in construction.

These objectives help learners—from construction professionals to students and policy makers—understand critical aspects of sustainability in the building industry, encouraging the implementation of practices that reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Natasha Jeremic, MASc, PEng, LEED GA
Manager Codes and Standards – Sustainability
Canadian Wood Council

Natasha Jeremic is Manager of Sustainability in the Codes and Standards group at the Canadian Wood Council. She is engaged in strategic building code and standards initiatives related to sustainability, circularity, and durability. Natasha leverages her experience in structural design, building performance, and whole life carbon accounting to demonstrate that wood products are a viable solution for a sustainable and low-carbon built environment.