Size1,533 square metres
Engineered Wood FabricatorStructureCraft
Project OwnerB.C. Ministry of Education
Structural EngineerHerold Engineering
Project MaterialsCross-laminated timber (CLT)Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)Nail-laminated timber (NLT)Plywood
Structural SystemsLow riseMass timberPanellizedPost + beamPrefabricated
The seismic upgrade to Cordova Bay Elementary School in Victoria demonstrated the cost-benefit and timeline efficiency of building schools with wood.
Instead of remodelling the one-storey school that was in need of a seismic upgrade, the School District demolished and replaced select portions of the school using a cost-effective combination of NLT and CLT. The speed, versatility, adaptability and reduced noise of mass timber and prefabricated, panelized wood building systems was a boon for this multi-phase demolition and reconstruction that took place during the school year.
While they initially intended to use CLT for both walls and roof, the school district and the design team wanted to take full advantage of their mass timber product options, and so worked together to explore alternatives. They decided to combine CLT with NLT, which made more efficient, cost-effective use of mass timber and saved the district money.
The combination of the two mass timber products resulted in a structure which excels in stability and structural efficiency while providing the warm aesthetic the school wanted—all at a cost which fit their budget.
The 1,533 square-metre school was made stronger with a strategic mix of CLT walls and NLT roof panels, supported by a glue-laminated timber (glulam) post-and-beam primary structure. The building accommodates a four-classroom wing, library and computer lab, seminar rooms and multi-purpose spaces. Sliding partitions provide flexibility for classroom sizes, as well as a corridor extends to an outdoor courtyard that doubles as a teaching space when the weather is warm. The structural efficiency and seismic performance of the mass timber construction are essential in the region, which is prone to earthquakes.
Expansive airtight glazing provides students and teachers with plenty of natural daylight and is complemented by the warmth of exposed wood throughout. Beyond aesthetics, the generous use of visible wood delivers added thermal and acoustic benefits. Overall, the project showcases how schools can take advantage of wood to construct beautiful, affordable, and safe learning environments that can serve their communities for decades to come.
This report from WoodWorks BC discusses the British Columbia’s Seismic Upgrade Program and features upgrades completed at three schools including Cordova Bay Elementary School.
