Bamfield Marine Centre

Location

Bamfield, BC

Size

464 square metres

Completion

2011

Structural Engineer

Fast + Epp

Engineered Wood Fabricator

StructureCraft Builders Inc.

Project Materials

Cross-laminated timber (CLT)

Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)

Parallel strand lumber (PSL)

Structural Systems

Hybrid / Other

Mass timber

Post + beam

Prefabricated

Taller wood

The scallop-shell-shaped wood roof directly reflects the purpose of the Bamfield Marine Centre for the study of marine sciences.

  • The scallop-shell wood roof is designed using 12 arched, stressed-skin shells about 12-feet wide and up to 50-feet long.
  • Parallel strand lumber (PSL) bottom chords of the shell, each laminated into a 110-foot radius are supported on elliptically shaped façade columns.
  • The 20-foot-tall façade, with timber bars between the glass panes, creates a beautiful glass wall that frames the unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean.

The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is a permanent base for marine research and teaching for the west coast of Canada. The Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society (WCUMSS) established the centre in 1972, with five British Columbian and Albertan universities as its members. The centre has classrooms, lecture halls, research laboratories, computer laboratories, and a reception hall overlooking Barkley Sound.

Wood’s pliability and strength worked for the design

The roof comprises 12 arched, stretched skin shells supported by parallel strand lumber (PSL) chords. It resembles a scallop shell from a bird’s eye view, reflecting its purpose as a marine centre. PSL is also used as façade columns, supporting the large roof structure. The columns are spaced along the perimeter of the building and visible wood siding complements the timber roof.

Aberdeen Canada Line Station interior with wood detail ceiling in daytime
Civic + Institutional

Aberdeen Canada Line Station

Learn More
Exterior cloudy daytime view of Alexandra District Energy Utility Expansion showing glue-laminated timber (glulam) columns and beams which frame the structure, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) used in the wall and roof panels
Commercial + Industrial

Alexandra District Energy Utility Expansion

Engineered wood was used in Richmond’s high-tech geothermal utility building to address the weight of a green roof…

Learn More
Exterior view of John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse demonstrating hybrid timber construction used in a contemporary design
Commercial + Industrial

John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse

Learn More