Your essential guide for using mass timber in industrial buildings
Mass timber provides long term value in industrial construction
Mass timber is transforming industrial building design, providing a sustainable, high-performance alternative to steel and concrete. Mass timber offers long-term efficiencies, carbon reduction and design flexibility. Historically used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities, advancements in engineered wood products allow for adaptable, resilient and visually striking structures that align with modern sustainability and business goals.
Across Canada, wood remains underutilized in non-residential construction. Between 2019 and 2023, industrial buildings accounted for only 30% of Canada’s non-residential construction. While mass timber materials may carry a capital cost premium, it delivers long-term value through operational savings, regulatory incentives and improved space utilization, particularly in urban environments where land use efficiency is critical. Mass timber structures also support corporate decarbonization targets, making them an increasingly attractive choice for industrial developers.
Mass timber is a resilient and adaptable material
Designing with mass timber requires careful planning to balance cost, performance and compliance with fire and structural safety regulations. Mass timber buildings are highly resilient, offering seismic resistance and ease of modification for future adaptability. Their superior insulation and acoustic properties contribute to energy efficiency and occupant well-being. Various structural systems, including post-and-beam, moment-resisting frames and hybrid designs incorporating steel and concrete, provide cost-effective solutions tailored to suit owner and occupant requirements. Prefabrication further enhances sustainability while accelerating on-site construction timelines.
Industrial developers have multiple strategies for integrating mass timber. Speculative developments leverage its market differentiation, while built-to-suit projects allow for customization to meet tenant-specific needs. Business models range from develop-sell and develop-lease approaches to owner-developer partnerships that distribute risk and maximize investment returns. Additionally, mass timber projects align with sustainability certification programs such as LEED and Zero Carbon Building standards, increasing their appeal to environmentally conscious investors.
StructureCraft/DowelLam Manufacturing Facility | Photo courtesy of StructureCraft Builders
Proven applications of mass timber in industrial construction
A range of industrial projects demonstrates the viability of mass timber. Large-scale warehouses like Prologis Evergreen Building 3 in Ontario highlight its ability to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining operational efficiency. Hybrid designs, such as Southfield Park 35 Warehouse in Texas, illustrate the strategic combination of timber and steel for optimal performance. Manufacturing facilities like the StructureCraft/DowelLam Headquarters in British Columbia showcase mass timber’s adaptability, while speculative developments such as 1391 Horizon in Colorado demonstrate its appeal in attracting sustainability-focused tenants. Institutional applications, including the University of British Columbia Campus Energy Centre, further reinforce mass timber’s versatility and integration with complex infrastructure needs.
With continued advancements in engineered wood technology, regulatory support and corporate sustainability commitments, mass timber is emerging as a compelling alternative for industrial buildings.
UBC Campus Energy Centre | Photo credit: Ema Peter Photography
What’s inside the guide:
- Market assessments
- Architectural design considerations
- Structural considerations
- Industrial project examples
- Mixed-use project examples
- Production insights
- Project checklists
