Structural wood products offer viable and innovative solutions for low-rise commercial buildings. Compared with concrete and steel construction, the benefits of building with wood are substantial and far-reaching, and include reduced carbon impacts, accelerated speed of construction and enhanced building performance. As the three projects in this case study testify, building and design professionals have clearly embraced mass timber and technologically advanced wood systems as a new paradigm. This case study examines three recently completed commercial buildings using mass timber and presents detailed information on the technical aspects to make mass timber a viable and innovative structural solution. The three projects featured in this case study are:
The MEC Flagship Store in Vancouver uses a cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam structure as part of a holistic approach to sustainable design.
MEC Flagship store, courtesy: Fast + Epp
The Fast + Epp Home Office in Vancouver uses CLT and glulam to showcase what is possible with mass timber design.
Fast + Epp Home Office view from southwest, photo credit: Michael Elkan Photography
PH1, a zero-lot-line building located in the heart of North Vancouver’s Shipyards District built entirely of wood and designed to achieve Passive House certification.
PH1 rendering, courtesy: Hemsworth Architecture
