Understanding energy and code considerations for mass timber buildings
The Mass Timber Navigator is an easy-to-use planning tool for British Columbia (B.C.) design teams in the early stage of a mass timber building project. Using data from eight different mass timber archetypes, situated in four B.C. regions, the tool helps users to understand energy and code compliance costs of mass timber buildings in the province.
The tool uses parallel coordinate plot maps to quickly filter and explore all options available in the dataset. A table allows the user to compare design choices, based on either a preset or a custom baseline building.
Users can change various design specifications on each archetype and compare performance metrics, such as thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI), BC Step Code compliance, greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi), construction pricing and utility costs. The tool covers the following building types:
- 6-storey residential
- 12-storey residential
- 12-storey office
- 3-storey civic
- 3-storey industrial
This tool was developed by BC Housing and Open Technologies using benchmark data provided by Fast + Epp, Morrison Hershfield and Hanscomb Quantity Surveyors.
Who is this tool for?
- Design teams: This tool is an ideal starting point for developers, architects and engineers looking to understand energy and code compliance costs of mass timber buildings in the province.
- Educators and students: Educational communities could benefit from using this tool as part of a teaching curriculum focused on energy and code compliance costs of mass timber buildings in the province.
- Government: Municipal, provincial and federal governments can use this tool to inform internal and external stakeholders about energy and code compliance costs of mass timber buildings in the province.
