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The benefits of building schools with wood

Samuel Brighouse elementary school | Photo credit: Nic Lehoux, courtesy of Perkins+Will

Advantages of wood use in schools

There are numerous benefits to building schools with wood, especially in British Columbia (B.C.). It can be sourced from healthy and certified sustainable forests, while also supporting the provincial economy and communities across B.C.

Over the last 10 years, more than fifty K-12 schools across B.C. have incorporated wood. Wood is versatile, resilient and renewable, making it an excellent choice to build or renovate schools.

Benefits of Building Schools with Wood Infographic. Includes key benefits of building schools with wood. Including: proven safety and performance, wood schools can be built quickly and cost effectively, local supply, health + wellness benefits, carbon + climate benefits and cultural benefits (schools can be a place of cultural expression, creating a strong architectural expression).

Safe + durable: Mass timber construction has a proven safety and performance record for a full range of conditions including fire, seismic, and wind.

Building better: Wood schools can be built quickly and cost effectively due to off-site assembly and collaborative early design processes.

Local supply: B.C. has hundreds of wood product suppliers, mass timber fabricators, and experienced contractors.

Health + wellness: Wood use in classrooms creates a healthier environment, promoting both mental and physical well-being while enhancing learning potential.

Download the infographic (PDF)
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