START - Structural Timber and Applied Research Team’s Post

Is #masstimber Construction About To Go Mainstream In BC? https://lnkd.in/gE3UQgA6 "Kudos to the Province of British Columbia for going to 18 storeys; I think that's where it should've been," says Rocky Sethi, who has been working with wood construction for 25 years and is currently the Managing Director of Stryke Group. "But what I would love to see is the Province of British Columbia say 'Okay, for the next 10 shovel-ready buildings, we're gonna give you x-amount of money.' Let's really re-invest in our province and try to give people the financial incentive. Perhaps you can require them to use a local supplier. I think that would be a great story, because those local suppliers are also using regional wood products, so you're stimulating the economy in a different way." In 2022, the Province introduced its Mass Timber Action Plan — the development of which was led by now-Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon — and BC is home to several notable mass timber product suppliers who have been involved in projects around North America, such as StructureCraft and Kalesnikoff, so BC has a solid mass timber industry. Whether or not our local industry can meet a rise in demand in mass timber construction is a fair question, though, says both Rocky Sethi and Eric Andreasen. .  .  .  #britishcolumbia #vancouver #development #construction #housing #masstimber #masstimberconstruction #BuiltBC

Excellent article on the adoption of Mass Timber construction, especially for some of the solutions it provides for housing, sustainability, local supply chain, economic stimulation, and employment. 

In the news 🗞 General Manager at Muir Timber Systems, Gary Gray's latest article discusses the benefits of timber frame builds and how they could play a key role in fixing the current housing crisis 🪵🏡 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ehbY76T7 #timberframe #construction #housing #homes #housingcrisis #sustainableconstruction

Is Mass Timber Construction About To Go Mainstream In BC? The potential new incentives from the City of Vancouver come less than two months after the provincial government announced that it will raise the current 12-storey limit on mass timber buildings to 18 storeys, under BC's building code, in hopes that the change will "expand the use of mass timber to build taller buildings and to make stronger communities." https://ow.ly/UupT50QApK4

That is a lot of levers that need to be pulled, thank you for highlighting Jennifer Castenson Offsite / Prefab / Modular construction is gaining more attention in the U.S., but it faces unique challenges compared to places like Japan and Northern Europe where adoption has been faster due to very different government structures and capital markets. In the U.S., local and state governments each have autonomy in making decisions that directly impact their economies and population. While federal policies can incentivize through grants and tax laws, there’s no national mandate (nor will there be) for modular or prefab construction. Governments could incentivize more modular/prefab construction through federal tax law or grants, but the current system doesn’t seem to be producing the intended industry value - often grants are consumed by academics, think tanks and associations with little to show. Historically, technologies like roof trusses and engineered wood products (EWPs) quickly gained market share in the U.S. because they were no-brainers—clear solutions that solved real industry problems. The truss plate and EWP manufacturers invested in software and capacity while putting huge marketing budgets and sales teams in place to made these systems easy-to-sell and easy-to-buy. Sadly, most offsite construction offerings are hard to sell and even harder to buy. Mass timber though, in modular and panelized forms, appears to be the next likely candidate for mass adoption, because it is: • building credibility (case studies) • creating prescriptive design software • increasing capacity • universal span tables • spending on sales & marketing • has precedence Mass Timber could enjoy the same adoption trajectory as trusses and EWP. Non-structural prefab building envelope and interior wall panels also have high potential for commercial new construction and renovation, much like curtain wall, modular cabinetry or pre-hung doors. Finally, we can't forget HUD-code manufactured housing, which has been growing steadily thanks to shifts in public perception and regulatory adjustments. While the federal government created programs and demand for manufactured housing, it still never exceeded 30% of housing starts (currently 7.5%). Shipments are increasing, builders and investors should be watching this. How code-based modular/offsite/prefab grows in the U.S. depends on market demand for clear, problem-solving solutions. If a Product doesn't grow, it's largely because the free market has spoken: the problems aren't big enough, the solutions aren't clear, and/or there isn't enough value to switch. Even if the market WANTS these systems, fabricators and manufacturers must STILL become real marketing strategists and spenders, focused on demand creation and execution. Like real Building Product Manufacturers. #modularconstruction #prefab #buildingmaterials #housingaffordability #constructioninnovation #architecture #masstimber

Is Mass Timber Construction About To Go Mainstream In BC? The potential new incentives from the City of Vancouver come less than two months after the provincial government announced that it will raise the current 12-storey limit on mass timber buildings to 18 storeys, under BC's building code, in hopes that the change will "expand the use of mass timber to build taller buildings and to make stronger communities." https://ow.ly/bUVl50Qzigl

Is Mass Timber Construction About To Go Mainstream In BC? The potential new incentives from the City of Vancouver come less than two months after the provincial government announced that it will raise the current 12-storey limit on mass timber buildings to 18 storeys, under BC's building code, in hopes that the change will "expand the use of mass timber to build taller buildings and to make stronger communities." https://ow.ly/Te1V50QzgYy

Offsite timber frame manufacturer, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has been appointed to the CHIC Ltd (Communities & Housing Investment Consortium) Newbuild Development Framework. DTS will sit on the ‘MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) Manufacturer — Frame & Panel’ workstream, delivering timber frame and panels across the UK to create modular new-build homes. Gemma Darroch, National Partnerships Manager from Donaldson Timber Systems says: "We’re really pleased to have been named as one of the long-term contracts on the CHIC Newbuild Development Framework. For decades we have been championing offsite timber frame systems, which use innovative and sustainable technologies and play a key role in meeting the energy requirements of new homes. We’re proud to be promoting this further via this framework over the coming years." Sarah Davey, CHIC’s Head of Development adds: "We are excited to have Donaldson Timber Systems on CHIC’s Newbuild Framework. They will be an instrumental part in helping our members deliver their new-build development efficiently setting a gold standard for the industry." https://lnkd.in/e7chxDnU #offsite #timberframe #frameworkappointment #modular #newbuild #housing #modernmethodsofconstruction #newhomes #development #sustainabletechnology

Construction Update: Southlands Tsawwassen Exciting news from BlueCity Construction! We have broken ground on Harrow Estate Cottages and begun forming the foundation for the first 12 homes. Next steps: We will begin framing the structures, and rough-ins will start. Stay tuned for our next Southlands Tsawwassen update as we share progress highlights in our construction journey. #BlueCityConstruction #Construction #Homes #Builder #RealEstate #SouthlandsTsawwassen 

🏗️ New British Columbia Codes Drive Timber High Rise: New Rules in Detail 📆British Columbia has now introduced its new "Building and Fire Codes 2024," allowing developers to construct timber buildings up to 18 storeys high. This legislative leap paves the way for a mass timber drive across Canada, with provinces and the federal government looking to introduce the new rules into federal building codes. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Elevated Standards: The updated BC Codes elevate the allowable height for all-timber buildings by 50%, with British Columbia leadership embracing mass timber for more sustainable, carbon-efficient urban development. 2️⃣ National Ambition: Echoing British Columbia's support, there's a concerted effort led by the Trudeau government to incorporate standards into the National Building Code. 3️⃣ Broadening Horizons: The new codes extend beyond residential applications, encouraging the use of mass timber in schools, shopping centres, and industrial facilities. 📣 #questionforgroup: As British Columbia leads the charge in mass timber construction, what ripple effects can we anticipate across the Canadian construction industry and beyond? 👇 Engage Below: Share your thoughts on the potential of mass timber to redefine our urban landscapes and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. 🔗 For an in-depth exploration of British Columbia's new building codes and their potential to drive mass timber construction nationwide, read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gw9mnCar #masstimber #masstimberconstruction #timberconstruction #timberengineering #timber #engineering #fire #building #buildingcodes #greenbuilding #beyondbc #vancouver #britishcolumbia #montreal #toronto #urbandevelopment #canada #timberarchitcture #woodcentral #woodcentralau1 #woodsolutions #theultimaterenewable