Mass timber is part of a worldwide construction shift towards prefabrication and offsite construction. Prefabricated buildings made from sustainable sourced mass timber are a huge environmental and economic opportunity for B.C. and generate a triple win of low-carbon buildings, secure jobs and forest sector growth.
Mass timber buildings (7-12 stories), rare in B.C. but growing and important for densification and livability, are well suited for mass timber construction. They help support significant embodied carbon reductions, thriving communities and affordable housing. B.C. has the resources and expertise to lead this construction category and, as of 2019, allows mass timber buildings up to 12 stories within some early-adopter jurisdictions. Yet uptake remains low for many reasons, including policy/regulatory barriers and supply/demand dynamics.
Download the guides below to learn more about how you can join the worldwide mass timber movement.
Building Capacity covers mass timber solutions for senior government officials, the development industry and local governments. Released in February 2023, this 60-page guide breaks down the challenges and potential solutions for each audience.
Released in April 2023, this quick reference guide is aimed at elected officials and local government staff interested in implementing mass timber solutions in their community.
A design guide aimed at those with planning or architecture backgrounds. Released in September 2022.
Building Capacity: Local Prefab Mass Timber Solutions offers ways for local governments to develop policies and regulations that facilitate mid-rise mass timber construction. It also provides paths for senior levels of government and the building sector to contribute to successful mass timber projects and help scale this novel building form in B.C.
Building Capacity is the culmination of a year-long process led by Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Renewable Cities that included independent research and analysis complemented by engagement with over 230 developers, design consultants, builders, manufacturers, local government planners and building officials. It was released in February 2023.
Local Governments
Development Industry
Senior Government
Funders
Building Capacity was funded by BC Hydro, Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) and the Office of Mass Timber Implementation in the B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
Mid-rise buildings (7 to 12 stories) constructed with prefab mass timber have epic potential in B.C. to offer environmental, economic and community benefits.
Despite the tremendous interest, significant barriers exist to scaling large, complex prefab wood buildings, including a suite of local government planning and building policies and processes.
In 2022, SFU’s Renewable Cities assembled an interdisciplinary project team of architects, planners, developers and building officials to work with communities and stakeholders to increase understanding of key land use and permitting barriers for the construction of prefabricated and mid-rise mass timber construction.
Funded by B.C. Hydro, FII and JERI Ministry, the Renewable Cities-led Project Team engaged over 230 municipal and building stakeholders which have helped inform the development of the Building Capacity: Local Prefab Mass Timber Solutions Guide.
Identified land use policies that inadvertently hinder the use of prefabricated and mass timber construction for mid-rise buildings in B.C. and recommended a suite of solutions
Identified building permit and design guideline challenges and solutions, and published Phase 1 & 2 findings in the Building Capacity: Local Prefab Mass Timber Solutions Guide
Disseminating Phase 1 & 2 findings to key constituencies through workshops, briefs and promotion of the Building Capacity Guide. It will include training and accredited education sessions for audiences.
Enhanced outreach begins with key audiences, such as local government elected officials and community design panels across B.C.
If your organization is interested in having our team lead a workshop or short presentation, please reach out to Brad Doff brad_doff@sfu.ca
Our interdisciplinary project team assembled by Renewable Cities with the M.J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University involving the Building Officials Association of BC, Ecosse Development Corp, Penway Consulting and Scius Advisory Services.
For more information, please contact Brad Doff (brad_doff@sfu.ca) at Renewable Cities.