With durable timber construction, Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon has provided an enduring home away from home for up to 70 out-of-town families at a time whose children are receiving treatment at the B.C. Women’s and Children’s Hospitals.
- Decidedly non-institutional in its feel, where dignity and playfulness live side by side.
- Grand living room features an exposed-timber floor and ceiling.
- Children descend into common spaces by way of a wooden staircase or an enclosed yellow slide.
This project set a new benchmark for robust, cost-effective, institutional-grade timber construction, as the first example in the world of a tilt-up CLT and light-wood-frame building system designed for a 100-year service life.
An advanced application of mass-timber construction, it’s composed of a hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall and high-performance light-wood floor system. Laminated strand lumber (LSL) floor ledgers support joists, decking, and a concrete topping. The panelized construction allowed for off-site prefabrication, with panels factory-cut to a precise size and fit.
Architecture with empathy: wood makes a welcoming impression
The exterior of the building, which is just steps away from the B.C. Women’s and Children’s Hospitals in central Vancouver, is designed to feel like a home and not a hotel.
It’s a fresh take on more traditional residential motifs. An iron-spot brick façade is punctuated by square-box dormers. Cedar cladding and wood window frames offer a warm contrast to the sleek, steel-grey masonry.
The facility comprises four “houses” joined together; common spaces include dining rooms, games rooms, lounges, and courtyards. It all blends seamlessly within its warm, contemporary, yet understated interior, offering moments for both quiet reflection and social connection.