As part of the Timber Tech Connect (external link) series for 2025, The Wood Innovation Network (TWIG external link) continues to focus on projects supported through BC’s Mass Timber Demonstration Program. The Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP) provides funding for incremental costs in the design and construction of buildings that demonstrate emerging or new mass timber or mass timber hybrid building systems and construction processes.
Mass timber offers significant promise for sustainable construction in the built environment, but challenges remain in scaling its use, particularly in the early stages of project development. This Timber Tech Connect session focuses on the preconstruction phase, where the foundations of a successful mass timber project are laid. Through a panel discussion featuring professionals from architecture, development, and construction management, the session explores how to navigate the intersecting demands of design, budget, and constructability. Presenters will share firsthand insights from ongoing projects—including Catalyst 2, Res One, 981 Davie, and Vienna House—and offer strategies to overcome regulatory, logistical, and financial hurdles.
The transition to mass timber construction requires more than technical know-how—it demands new forms of collaboration, planning, and investment. By spotlighting real-world examples and cross-sector perspectives, this event aims to help professionals make informed decisions that support project feasibility and long-term impact. Whether you’re just beginning to explore mass timber or are already working on complex builds, this session provides practical knowledge and scalable strategies that can help move the industry forward.
In British Columbia, mass timber and prefabrication represent more than construction innovations—they’re a vital pathway toward a higher-value wood economy. Realizing this potential requires coordination across the value chain—from architects and developers to fabricators, manufacturers, and foresters. By increasing the use of second- and third-growth local fibre and generating skilled jobs across disciplines, mass timber can directly contribute to revitalizing B.C.’s forest sector. Its impact reaches beyond housing and carbon reduction, offering a practical strategy for strengthening regional industries and supporting a more integrated forest economy.
Presenters
- Annabelle Hamilton, Technical Manager, WoodWorks BC
- Roy Lee, Associate Director, BTY
- Rhys Leitch, Principle, Integra Architecture
- Carlos Zavarce, Director of Development, Squamish, Matthews West
- Sean Binns & Kenny Dempsey, Project Directors, Kindred Construction
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM PST
Location: Kindred Construction – 1486 East Pender, Vancouver