Si x do l l ars

Spr i ng / Su m m e r 2 02 0 — Nu m be r 85

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Pu bli c ati ons M ai l agr eem ent #40063877

Terrace House High-Rise Buildings Arbora & Origine

A record-breaking hybrid New heights around the world Quebec’s groundbreaking projects
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 c o n t e n t s

A b ove a n d o n t h e c ove r: Sensations Housing complex by KOZ Architectes

PHOTOS: Courtesy of the architect

O     C     F       

Europeans in the Lead 30 REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Record-breaking wood buildings across
the sea, including the award-nominated
Sensations Housing complex in France
Terrace House 14
In Vancouver, Shigeru Ban’s hybrid
timber high-rise sets a new height record

D          
Lighthouse Joensuu 18
Against the Grain 6 Finland's tallest wooden building transforms a small town
Wood transit shelters
enhance public space
Arbora & Origine 26
Two innovative large-scale projects in Quebec
Wood Chips 8
The 2020 International Award for
Wood Architecture nominees and
projects to watch around the world 80 Atlantic 38
The final installment in our series about an
award-winning hybrid mass timber building in Toronto
Wood Ware 46
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Technical Solutions 41
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 Transforming the world
In the Winter 2019–20 issue, we featured “Innovators & Gamechangers” and “Projects
to Watch,” topics that we’ll continue to spotlight – including in this issue. Among those
architects we recognized as gamechangers, Pritzker laureate Shigeru Ban is once again in
these pages, as a nominee for the 2020 International Award for Wood Architecture (p.8)
and architect of North America’s tallest hybrid timber structure, Terrace House (p.14),
in Vancouver, B.C.
Over the past several years, many of the industry’s most acclaimed architects have
proposed or completed large-scale mass timber projects. Without argument, European firms
have been among the most groundbreaking, whether in terms of scale or innovation. Recently,
the title of world’s tallest wood building was claimed by Norway’s Mjøstårnet (p.30), and
several other European projects included in this issue – and, on the cover – are pushing wood
construction to new heights.
High-rise buildings are championed as a solution for housing shortages, but along with their
practical appeal, tall structures typically become landmarks, and even a city’s claim to fame.
Architecture transforms cities, and mass timber is proving to be a gamechanger. Its relatively
light weight and considerable strength allow for greater heights, and the biophilic quality of
exposed wood creates an appealing effect. The added benefit of carbon sequestration makes this
renewable resource an obvious choice for sustainable construction.
The world has changed considerably since our last issue, but Wood Design & Building will
continue to focus on wood architecture and how it contributes to a better planet. While many
wood champions have contributed to the industry’s advancement, another should be noted:
Michael Sorkin, architect, professor and urbanist – considered as “one of architecture’s most
outspoken public intellectuals,” according to The New York Times – died of complications
from COVID-19 in late March; one of his firm’s recent proposals, a terraced mass timber
multi-unit, was a finalist in the Big Ideas for Small Lots NYC competition. Sorkin’s advocacy
for sustainable urban design made a lasting impact.
Unfortunately, this virus is affecting every industry, but as we prepare to become a stronger,
more resilient society, it’s also a prime opportunity to rethink architecture. Buildings, and
cities, can become better in every way – especially, when they’re built with wood.

Popi Bowman
Managing Editor
Wood Design & Building magazine invites you to submit your project for consideration and possible publication.
We welcome contributed projects, bylined articles and letters to the editor, as well as comments or suggestions
for improving our magazine. Please send your submissions to pbowman@dvtail.com.

4                    ‒ s p r ing / su m m e r 2 0 2 0
 inspiration BOARD www.WoodDesignandBuilding.com
Spring/Summer 2020, Volume 20, Issue 85
WHAT I’VE FALLEN FOR LATELY...

sponsored by

PUBLISHER ETIENNE LALONDE

elalonde@cwc.ca

DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS, NATALIE TARINI

REBUILDING EARTH EVENTS AND MEMBER SERVICES ntarini@cwc.ca
Sometimes a book arrives
exactly when it’s needed. SENIOR MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS IOANA LAZEA
I recently stumbled across ilazea@cwc.ca
an intriguing title by
Canadian architect Teresa MANAGING EDITOR POPI BOWMAN
Coady, Rebuilding Earth: pbowman@dvtail.com
Designing Ecoconscious
CONTRIBUTOR MITCHELL BROWN
Habitats for Humans
(published this year by ART DIRECTOR SHARON MACINTOSH
North Atlantic Books). smacintosh@dvtail.com
Coady was president and
founding partner of B+H ADVERTISING SALES
Bunting Coady Architects,
one of Canada’s leading SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DINAH QUATTRIN
sustainable architectural dquattrin@dvtail.com
design practices. 905.886.6641 ext. 308
As Coady explains in PRODUCTION MANAGER CRYSTAL HIMES
the book’s introduction, chimes@dvtail.com
“Ancient architectural
history often reads like a DOVETAIL COMMUNICATIONS PRESIDENT SUSAN A. BROWNE
manifesto for the law of sbrowne@dvtail.com
unintended consequences.
Just as the industrious EDITORIAL BOARD
little beaver has no Shelley Craig, Principal, Urban Arts Architecture, Vancouver, BC
concept of the massive Gerry Epp, President & Chief Engineer, StructureCraft Builders Inc., Vancouver, BC
downstream consequences
Laura Hartman, Principal, Fernau & Hartman Architects, Berkeley, CA
of its dams, we rarely think
about the long-term effects Randall Kober, Master Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
of our construction…. We think we are shaping our buildings. But really, our CIRCULATION
buildings and development are also shaping us.”
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She points out that in 1910, the tallest building in the British Empire was
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Coady explains how each of these points can be accomplished, and why they are
so important. She even goes so far as to proclaim: “All buildings should be pet- Printed on recycled paper
and plant-friendly.” This thought-provoking book challenges the modern approach
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to development, with a call to humanize our cities. As our world continues to
transform in unexpected ways, Coady’s book asks architects to design a new
“normal.” There couldn’t be a better time.
Against the GRAIN

Elegant Shelter
Mitchell Brown
Despite the many beautiful examples of urban architecture, when most people think “public
transportation shelter,” they’re more likely to visualize cold steel and glass boxes, rather 1
than an innovative or inspiring structure. Well, no more: Here are just a few of the world’s
most beautiful bus and bicycle shelters that incorporate wood in elegant, functional ways.
Umeå, Sweden: This award-winning design by Rombout Frieling Lab, in collaboration
with The Research Institutes of Sweden, uses sound and light to alert passengers that
buses are approaching. The structure is designed for Arctic weather conditions; rather
than seating, the bus stop contains rotating timber pods to protect passengers from the
wind and provide privacy if needed. The researchers went with this approach when they
found that people often preferred to stand or lean, rather than sit, while waiting for a bus.
Commissioned by the city of Umeå as a prototype and opened during the EU Arctic Forum
in 2019, it has a “smart roof” with lighting and speakers that create different atmospheres
based on which bus is approaching. (Another innovative, wood-based transit shelter
project in the same city inspired this page; read about the International Award for Wood
2
Architecture nominee, Vasaplan, on p. 10.)
Guelph, ON: As part of the University of Guelph’s push for a greener future, this
eco-friendly campus bike shelter was designed by Grinham Architects. Galvanized steel
columns support a roof of exposed glulam beams and sloped wood decking, topped by a
green roof – featuring drought-resistant plants – manufactured and installed by ZinCo
Canada. As the company explains, “The biggest challenge of the roof was the slope. To
protect the green roof from sliding off the building, special shear barriers were installed in
combination with the ZinCo Floraset sloped green roof assembly, using drainage elements
that are specifically designed to secure the growing medium on roofs with slopes up to
25 degrees.” The Raithby Bike Shelter is located close to the Department of Landscape
Architecture, making it an ideal case study for the students.
Vancouver, BC: Located at the main entrance to the University of British Columbia
campus, this transit shelter acts as a conceptual extension of the nearby line of Katsura
trees. The design by Vancouver’s PUBLIC: Architecture + Communication features slender
steel columns arranged in a staggered line, supporting an oversized cellular wood structure,
which is clad in glass. From a distance, the glass is reflective but as one approaches, the
wood is revealed and creates the effect of walking underneath branches. The sidewalk
remains largely uninterrupted by the vertical structures, reducing impediments to
pedestrian traffic.
Pittsburgh, PA: The East Liberty Bike Shelter is a new element that is part of the larger
reconstruction of the East Liberty Transit Center, an existing bus and rapid transit station
on the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. Designed by Pittsburgh’s Studio for Spatial 3
Practice, the shelter optimizes the site’s limited footprint; it provides free parking for 80 PHOTO: Krista Jahnke
bikes, to serve cyclists using either the Busway Station or East Liberty’s business district.
The shelter creates a transition between the new station entry plaza and the adjacent mixed-
use development, while promoting cycling as a mode of transportation in the city. Its
wing-shaped roof form references the floating roofs of the adjacent Transit Center, while
the use of cedar relates to the adjacent Eastside Bond apartment buildings. At night, the
floating cedar roof and fence are uplit, creating a dramatic effect. Spring-loaded double-
decker bike racks allow the bikes to be securely parked within a tight urban footprint.
Wood endows a rustic charm to this modern solution.
1. Umeå, Sweden 2. Guelph, ON: 3. Vancouver, BC 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Architect: Architect: Architect: PUBLIC: Architect:
Rombout Frieling Lab Grinham Architects Architecture + Studio for
Communication Spatial Practice

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 Strong and resilient mass
timber construction is a
perfect fit for fire stations
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WOODCHIPS

PHOTOS: Didier Boy de la Tour

SWATCH OMEGA HEADQUARTERS BY SHIGERU BAN

Nominated for the 2020 International Award for Wood Architecture
Pritzker laureate and wood champion Shigeru Ban is not museum and conference hall, acts as an interface between
a surprising nominee for the third annual International Swatch and Omega, both figuratively and physically; the
Award for Wood Architecture, which will be announced this building intersects with the Swatch Headquarters’ canopy.
summer. Located in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, the Swatch The roofs of all three buildings are equipped with photovoltaic
and Omega Campus – completed by Ban’s eponymous firm panels, and state-of-the-art heating and cooling achieve low
last year – covers 503,514 sq.ft., which makes it one of the energy consumption. Most notable, however, is the intricate
largest hybrid mass timber projects in the world. The Swatch freeform lattice shell, which spans more than 787 ft. long.
Headquarters building features a curved gridshell roof Among the three structures, 162,000 cu.ft. of Swiss spruce were
consisting of 7,700 perfectly fitted timber pieces, while the used – equivalent to approximately 10 hours of growth in the
Omega Factory is a rectilinear structure. Cité du Temps, a country’s abundant forests. shigerubanarchitects.com

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 WOODCHIPS

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WOODCHIPS

MORE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR WOOD ARCHITECTURE NOMINEES

Of the five short-listed projects for the 2020 International
Award for Wood Architecture, four were European, located
in France (Sensations Housing, p.34), Sweden (the Vasaplan
bus shelter, below), Switzerland (Shigeru Ban’s project) and
Finland (Lighthouse Joensuu, p.18).

PHOTO: Mike Sinclair

The only short-listed project from North America,

PHOTOS: Åke E:son Lindman 111 East Grand in Des Moines, Iowa, was featured in these
pages more than a year ago, while it was under construction
The inspiration for this issue’s “Against the Grain,” the (Winter 2018–19 issue); notably, it is the state’s first modern
Vasaplan bus shelter in Umeå, Sweden, uses wood to create mass timber building, and the first DLT office structure in
a visually engaging public space. Wingårdh Arkitektkontor North America. Designed by Neumann Monson Architects,
covered the reinforced concrete pillars with wood, and a grid the 65,000-sq.ft., four-storey mixed use building features
of overlapping glulam beams supports a glass roof that covers natural Accoya wood soffits and columns at the street level,
approximately 525 ft. x 33 ft. The benches are made from while the interiors prominently display the structural spruce
solid lumber. Integrated heating keeps the ground dry and glulam beams and columns. DLT panels serve as the floor and
provides warmth to waiting passengers in winter. The shelter’s exposed roof decks, supported in part by a precast concrete
untreated wood will eventually darken or turn gray. By using service core at the south end of the building. Timber supplier/
wood in both a dramatic and practical way, the designers engineer StructureCraft worked closely with the design
succeeded in creating a pleasant community meeting team throughout the project, which stands out as an elegant
place – much more than a common bus shelter. wingardhs.se example of modern mass timber. neumannmonson.com

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 WOODCHIPS

PROJECTS TO WATCH
Keeping up with all of the world’s wood construction projects is a challenging task, so we’re here to help. Some may not see
completion, but these are a few of the many projects we’ll be watching.

EUROPE UNITED STATES

k In Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood, The Alvidrez will
be a 77,000-sq.ft., 14-storey tower to provide housing and
support services for the local homeless community, with
30 percent of its self-sufficient units for residents with
disabilities. Michael Maltzan Architecture is in the design
phase for the project – one of the tallest timber buildings
planned for California – which will use a mass timber frame
and modular CLT “building blocks.” The Alvidrez will be
funded by the Skid Row Housing Trust, a local nonprofit
group that has provided housing for nearly 2,000 people to
date; Michael Maltzan Architecture has designed several of
their buildings. Completion is expected by early 2023.
k

In Amsterdam, HAUT will feature 55 apartments over 21 floors;

when it’s completed, this will be the tallest hybrid timber kA
 much different project, also 14 storeys, was announced
residential tower in the Netherlands, reaching almost 240 recently for Hollywood, on Sunset Boulevard. The mass
ft. The building features photovoltaic-clad facade and roof, timber commercial high-rise designed by Gensler would
triple glazing and recyclable materials whenever possible; it include almost 450,000 sq.ft. of offices, with ground-level
also features a large indoor winter garden for tenants’ use. retail and restaurant space.
Because only the inner walls (CLT panels) are load-bearing,
large floor-to-ceiling windows are incorporated. Designed by k Th
 is year’s Pritzker recipient Grafton Architects was
Team V Architects in cooperation with ARUP, the high-rise is chosen to design the Anthony Timberlands Center for the
scheduled for completion next year. University of Arkansas, a US$16-million mass timber
project funded in large part by a grant from the U.S.
k P LP Architecture recently won a competition to design Forest Service and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and
Holland’s (and possibly, the world’s) tallest timber and Communities. In partnership with local firm modus
concrete tower, dubbed the Tree House. At 37 storeys studio, the design phase is expected to begin this summer.
and 459 ft. tall, the building in Rotterdam will include
275 apartments, office space, shops and a restaurant. As
part of PLP’s “commitment to biodiversity,” three glazed CANADA
greenhouses are situated at the building’s pinnacle, and the
firm has incorporated rainwater collection into the design. k Construction
The estimated completion date is 2024. started in October
for Design Build
kV
 oll Arkitekter, the designer of Mjøstårnet, is planning Services’ Tallwood 1,
a 20-storey mass timber housing project in the heart of the first 12-storey
Lillestrøm, Norway, a half-hour drive from Oslo. There mass timber
have not been recent updates. building on
Vancouver Island,
k In Paris, Dominique Perrault has created a master near Victoria, B.C.
plan for the Olympic Village, a 126-acre site which will Built using CLT
include 2,400 units of housing, shops, restaurants, and glulam, its 120 pet-friendly rental units are expected to
offices and activity centers. Most buildings will be be available in late 2021.
passive or energy-positive, using wood and other
sustainable materials. We also publish Projects to Watch in our e-newsletter;
visit WoodDesignandBuilding.com to sign up.
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Terrace House
North America’s tallest hybrid timber
structure is close to completion

Vancouver, BC
 FEATURE

IMAGES: Shigeru Ban Architects

When Shigeru Ban’s Terrace House, a 19-storey mixed-use proj- that the building is born from Erickson’s, a melding of two
ect, is completed this year, it not only will be North America’s extraordinary buildings that reflects the connections between
tallest hybrid timber structure – it also will be an extraordinary the two architects; Erickson spent time in Japan and drew
homage to the legacy of Canadian architect Arthur Erickson and inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic, an admiration that’s
his adjacent Evergreen Building. mutual in Ban’s reverence for the late architect.
Terrace House's form is a direct response to three primary The building has a concrete structure for the 11-storey
site conditions: the Evergreen Building, the desire not to cast a podium, tower and core, and a timber structure for the build-
shadow on the nearby park and preserving existing view cor- ing's triangular apex. Comprising an outer frame of timber
ridors toward the waterfront and mountains. Mimicking the and glass top paired with a concrete and steel core, the resi-
Evergreen’s geometry and its design DNA, there is a sense dential tower will reach 233 ft. at its tip.

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FEATURE

Nearly half of the apartments will occupy an entire floor. On

the lower levels, these will be wrapped by the terraces that the
architect lined up with the Evergreen Building next door. Large
sliding glass doors open from the living rooms, bedrooms and
bathrooms to the outside, with views across the city, harbour and
to the surrounding mountains. Three homes will be spread across
the top seven floors as the timber structure tapers upwards.
Ban designed every detail of the 20 luxury residences, down
to the custom door handles and cabinet pulls, creating homes
that are truly unique. Outdoor spaces adjoining the open-plan
living, kitchen and dining rooms feature flooring that matches
the white oak inside.
Residences in the gabled structure at the building’s top feature
the exposed wooden structure, which is made of locally sourced
Douglas fir timber from the forests in B.C.’s Kootenay region. CLIENT
Inside, this timber lines the ceilings to add warmth to the space. PortLiving
With prices starting at $3 million, the luxury residences Vancouver, BC

also will be detailed with in-floor heating and cooling systems,

ARCHITECT
smart technology and glazing chosen to protect interiors from Shigeru Ban
sunlight damage. Tokyo, Japan

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FEATURE

Lighthouse Joensuu
A student housing project inspires new heights
Joensuu, Finland

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p r ing / su
/ summer
m m e r 2 2002 200
 FEATURE

In this small but growing city – where more than 10 percent of exterior stone tile facade featuring a lightwork installation by
the population attends either the University of Eastern Finland Finnish “light artist” Kari Kola.
or the Karelia University of Applied Sciences – student hous- The project’s goal was to minimize costs by using an efficient
ing solutions are a priority. Completed last year, the 14-storey floor plan, optimized structures and innovative technology. To
Lighthouse Joensuu is Finland’s tallest wooden high-rise build- that end, the ground floor and civil defense shelter – a standard
ing, containing 117 student apartments and rising close to requirement for occupied buildings over 12,917-sq.ft. (1,200
165 ft. The city’s zoning plan specified that the site should uti- sq.m.) in Finland – are made of concrete, but the remaining
lize high-rise construction, favoring wood. As a result, the structure uses LVL floors and CLT walls, including for the ele-
architects devised an all-wood plan (beyond the concrete vator shaft. The structure is stiffened with numerous steel rods
ground floor) with innovative design features, including an inside the wooden structures, tensioned from top to bottom.

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FEATURE

The ground floor includes sauna facilities, a laundry room

and adjacent drying room, technical facilities and storage
spaces for household and outdoor equipment. Floors one to
13 have nine apartments each, of which two are one-bedroom
apartments and the remaining seven are studios, with the
apartments varying in size from almost 280 sq.ft. to slightly
more than 510 sq.ft.
Although the apartment building is made of wood, very
few wooden surfaces are visible in the finished building; most
interior surfaces are clad with gypsum board to meet fire safety
requirements. The fire safety design for the building is based
on functional fire design, as the standard E1 tables only cover
wood buildings up to eight storeys high. Sprinklers were installed
throughout (OH1 level, two-way water supply), but the building
was designed to withstand a fire even if the sprinklers do not
work. Building regulations required third-party inspectors for
both fire safety and structural design; in addition, the ventilation
systems were evaluated according to government standards.
Completed on schedule, each mass timber storey of
Lighthouse Joensuu took less than two weeks to build. The panel
blanks arrived at the construction site, where the window and
door openings and the conduits for building services were then
machined under the cover of a tent. The mass timber elements
were then installed as the weather permitted. After installation,
each completed storey was protected by a temporary roof to
maintain the dry chain.

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 FEATURE

Lighthouse Joensuu’s wood components – almost 70,630 cu.ft.

in total – store a quantity of carbon equivalent to the annual
emissions of approximately 700 passenger cars. The Karelia
University of Applied Sciences conducted measurements,
acoustics research and evaluated the structure’s carbon
footprint; studies to date reveal that only about one-fifth of the
carbon footprint of Lighthouse Joensuu was generated during
the construction period, and the remainder is operational,
which is still under analysis.
The project – which won the 2019 Puupalkinto Wood Award
and is nominated for this year’s International Award for Wood WOOD ENGINEERING

Architecture – was also supported by Finland’s Ministry of the Joensuu Juva Oy

Joensuu, Finland
Environment. As one of the tallest structures in the town,
Lighthouse Joensuu illuminates the skyline by night and acts A-Insinöörit
Tampere, Finland
as a beacon, both for the town and for the future of wood
construction. WOOD SUPPLIER
Stora Enso
CLIENT Varkaus, Finland
Opiskelija-asunnot Oy Joensuun Elli
Joensuu, Finland G E N E R A L C O N T R A C TO R
Rakennustoimisto Eero Reijonen
ARCHITECT Liperi, Finland
Arcadia Oy Arkkitehtitoimisto
Joensuu, Finland P H OTO G R A P H Y
Arcadia Oy Arkkitehtitoimisto
Joensuu, Finland

Rami Saarikorpi
Joensuu, Finland

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Spark Your
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Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge

Photography: David Troyer

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FEATURE

Origine

Arbora & Origine

Two large-scale projects prove Quebec’s leading role in wood construction

Among the tallest and largest of the world’s mass timber panels are held together by wooden tongues or nailed metal,
buildings, Arbora (in Montreal) and Origine (in Quebec City) are and self-tapping screws are used to assemble the beams and
examples of Quebec’s commitment to advancing the use of wood. columns. Most of the LEED Platinum project was completed
In 2013, the province became the second in Canada to allow six- last year, with some finishing still underway for the third
storey wood buildings; since then, Quebec has continued to lead building.
in the development of large-scale timber projects. Origine is an award-winning, 13-storey residential project
Designed by Lemay+CHA in collaboration with Provencher by Yvan Blouin Architecte, completed in 2017 – the same year
Roy, the all-wood Arbora complex is the largest of its kind in as TallWood House at Brock Commons, making both of these
the world, with three eight-storey buildings comprising nearly projects North America’s tallest wood structures (Origine is
600,000 sq.ft., including 273 condominiums, 30 townhomes, 56 ft. shorter, at 134 ft. tall). Sitting on a one-storey concrete
130 rental units and retail space on the ground floor of one podium, Origine’s wooden structure was erected in only four
building. The bearing partition walls and floor panels are CLT, months, during winter; in total, the 9,580-sq.ft. building was
while the post-and-beam structure is glulam; the mass timber completed in 16 months.

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 FEATURE

Arbora

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FEATURE

The project team conducted two years of research, includ- the heat island effect, and efficient, radiant floor heating.
ing seismic and full-scale fire testing, to ensure optimal (This project was featured in the most recent Wood Design
structural resilience and safety. The primary structure is Awards book.)
made of glulam timber posts and beams, with CLT floor slabs, Key to both of these buildings – and many more award-
shear walls, shafts and exterior walls. According to the archi- winning projects – is the involvement of Nordic Structures,
tect, using concrete would have added four to six months to which develops and markets wood products and construc-
the timeline. The tall, 93-unit structure also wouldn’t have tion systems manufactured by its sister company, Chantiers
been possible to build with heavier materials due to the soil Chibougamau. For over 50 years, Chantiers Chibougamau has
conditions; because the site is near a river, it has a very poor man­ufactured forest products in northern Quebec, harvesting
load-bearing capacity. Origine’s ingenious design incorpo- black spruce from the boreal forest. The Nordic Structures
rates environmental measures such as a white roof to reduce plant in Chibougamau produces FSC-certified, prefabricated

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 FEATURE

wood components cut to the required dimensions, using CNC

machinery to create door and window openings.
Each of these buildings has become a centerpiece for its
neighborhood, showcasing sustainable development and local
ingenuity. Together, they have paved the way for taller wood
structures in Canada, contributing to the technical
development of Quebec’s guide for mass timber buildings up
to 12 storeys tall – while strengthening Canada’s reputation
as a leader in sustainable architecture.

PHOTOG RAPHY
Nordic Structures and Stéphane Groleau for Origine
and Adrien Williams for Arbora.

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FEATURE

Europeans in the Lead

The race to be tallest, biggest and greenest

Mjøstårnet PHOTOS: Ricardo Foto, Woodify, Øystein Elgsaas

As wood’s resilience, versatility, cost-effectiveness and building all new public buildings with at least 50 percent wood
environmental benefits are becoming better understood, and/or other bio-sourced materials; the decision was inspired by
high-rise wood construction – whether hybrid or completely the low-carbon mandate introduced by Paris, which requires all
mass timber – is growing increasingly popular throughout the structures eight storeys or taller to be constructed of timber for
world. While innovative building design is fueling wood’s resur- the 2024 Summer Olympics.
gence, Europe rightfully claims a leadership role in promoting A 2017 report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban
the use of mass timber. This February, French President Emma- Habitat revealed that the majority of timber-based projects seven
nuel Macron announced that by 2022, the country would aim for storeys and taller were being constructed in France, Austria and

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 FEATURE

Norway. While some of those projects, such as Michael Green The 18-storey, 113,021-sq.ft. building designed by Voll
Architecture’s 35-storey Baobab tower in France, are presently Arkitekter opened last spring, featuring 35 apartments, five
unconfirmed or postponed, others were completed recently – floors of offices, a hotel (appropriately named the Wood
including what is now the world’s tallest timber tower, Norway’s Hotel) occupying four storeys, a restaurant, a rooftop terrace
Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal, a small town near the country’s larg- and common areas, including a separate pool building also
est lake; the building’s name translates to “the tower of Lake constructed of mass timber. The country’s leading glulam
Mjøsa.” This area is famous for its forestry and wood processing manufacturer, Moelven Limtre, worked with the building
industry, located about a two-hour drive north of Oslo. engineers to develop the 280-ft.-tall building.

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FEATURE

Initially the plan specified a

height about 15 ft. shorter, but
when the client challenged the
design team to consider a solu-
tion to maximize the height, the
designers used curved edges for
the glulam pergola topping the
structure; this reduced the wind
load while allowing for a more
robust structure. As a result of
the increased height, Mjøstår-
net became the country’s third
tallest building and its tallest
mixed-use structure.
More than 123,600 cu.ft.
of timber, equivalent to about
14,000 trees, were used to con-
struct Mjøstårnet. The majority
of wood components originated
from nearby sustainable forests;
the glulam structures were pro-
duced at Moelven’s factory less
than 10 miles from the building
site. The CLT used in staircases
and balconies was supplied by
Stora Enso, while the LVL for
wooden floor elements was sup-
plied by Mëtsa Wood. Nordic
Steel produced the metal timber
connections. The Norwegian
University of Science and Tech-
nology monitored the building
during and after construction,
and will publish its findings at
a later date.
Meanwhile, in Vienna, Aus-
tria, another of the world’s
tallest wood buildings recently
opened to its first commercial
tenants, while the hotel plans to
open later this year. Designed by
RLP Rüdiger Lainer + Partner,
the HoHo Wien (left) comprises
five structures that contain a
hotel, apartments, a restaurant,
wellness center and offices, cul-
minating in a tower that is 24
storeys and almost 276 ft. tall;
this makes it the world’s second-
tallest wood structure.
PHOTO: Michael Baumgartner | KiTO

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 FEATURE

IMAGE: Jean Paul Viguler et Associes

The hybrid structure is built with a concrete foundation and The developer’s managing director, Caroline Palfy, credits
stair/elevator towers, along with glulam beams, CLT walls and Austria’s forest industry for supporting this sustainable method
prefabricated floor systems made of CLT and concrete. The of construction. “The timber used for the entire project will have
interiors predominantly feature exposed structural wood; the grown back in our country’s forests in only one hour and 17
architect estimates that close to 75 percent of the structure is minutes,” she explains. The nation produces more than one billion
made from timber. Four prefabricated building components cu.ft. of timber each year, of which about 85 percent is logged.
– columns, joists, deck slabs and facade elements – simplified Many recent wood projects are competing to claim the
assembly, while the connections between ceilings and walls “tallest” title, including in Bordeaux, France. Currently under
joined together in a modular system. The wood composite construction, Hyperion (above) by Jean-Paul Viguier will be
floors are secured to the building’s core structures and extend the country’s tallest residential tower made of wood, with
out to the facade. A small concrete ring beam at the exterior a 16-storey tower. Named after the world’s tallest tree – a
wall and floor interface ties all of the elements together. California redwood – the project features three buildings with
Roughly 153,620 cu.ft. of wood are used throughout a total of 176 housing units, an underground parking ramp on
the HoHo Wien project, which has a gross floor area of two levels, an office building and shops. The first three levels are
269,098 sq.ft. Considerable energy savings (estimated at 300,000 concrete, along with the main tower’s central core, which con-
mWh) resulted from the use of mass timber instead of other tains elevators and stairways. Topping this is a wooden structure
materials, also saving approximately 2,800 tonnes of CO2 with CLT floors and partitions, estimated to store approxi-
production, compared to an equal-size concrete structure. mately 1,000 tonnes of CO2. Completion for the wooden tower
Other efficiencies such as photovoltaic systems are helping the is planned for spring 2021, while the surrounding buildings and
building work towards LEED Gold certification. offices are expected to be finished several months earlier.

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FEATURE

PHOTO: KOZ Architectes

Another project in France which was completed last year – also Not much more than a decade ago, in 2008, a worldwide
reported to be the tallest wood building in the country – the benchmark was set in Sweden by its tallest all-wood building,
Sensations Housing complex (above) by KOZ Architectes is nomi- Lagerhuset by Curt Arnold Salomon-Sörensen – a fourth-
nated for the 2020 International Award for Wood Architecture. generation architect who is now in his 90s. The 10-storey
(The same firm is one of several selected to create a mass timber grain warehouse in Eslöv was saved from demolition and
athletes’ village for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.) This is the largest converted into apartments: almost 102 ft. tall, it was unsur-
all-timber residential project in the country to date, built on a passed in height (with the exception of Australia’s 10-storey
concrete foundation with three volumes, varying in height from Forte Tower) until Treet was completed in 2015, in Bergen,
eight to 11 storeys. Situated on what used to be a brownfield site Norway. At 14 storeys and 162 ft. tall, the building designed
in Strasbourg, the 146-apartment structure is built using glulam by ARTEC held the title of world’s tallest wood building until
posts and beams, with structural CLT and shear walls. Steel clad- the TallWood House at Brock Commons (in Vancouver, B.C.)
ding lends an industrial aesthetic to the exterior facade. was completed in 2017.

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 FEATURE

Lagerhuset PHOTO: Håkan Dahlström

Treet PHOTO: David Valldeby

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FEATURE

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 FEATURE

In London, another notable milestone in the race to be

tallest is The Cube by Hawkins/Brown. The 10-storey hybrid
timber, steel and concrete apartment complex was the tallest
European building to use structural CLT when it was com-
pleted in 2015 – also surpassing the height of any modern
wood/hybrid buildings in North America. A unique, twisted
cruciform plan ensures each apartment has three external
walls, for optimal daylight and views, while the exterior fea-
tures Western red cedar cladding.
The Cube PHOTOS: Jack Hobhouse Tall wood buildings may have a relatively short history, but
in that time, each new project illustrates the many ways that
we can rethink architecture. With North American building
codes now evolving to allow more flexibility in wood
construction, it likely won't be long before even more mass
timber structures will reach taller heights on this side of the
ocean, too. However, Japan plans to surpass even the most
ambitious projects announced to date, with a 70-storey,
1,148-ft.-tall hybrid mass timber skyscraper designed by
Nikken Sekkei, to be completed for the 350th anniversary of
Sumitomo Forestry. With that date being in 2041, it remains
to be seen whether this will, indeed, become the world’s tallest
timber tower.

The new, patented X-fix connection

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FEATURE

80 Atlantic
Jan Schotte, associate at Quadrangle,
& Wayne McMillan, intermediate intern
architect at Quadrangle

PHOTO: Doublespace Photography

This is the fourth and final installment for our serial profile of plate to allow electrical conduit to run from below the raised
80 Atlantic Avenue in Toronto. With base building construc- access floor to the ceiling. These conduit chases were fitted with
tion winding down and the enclosure wrapping up at the end of removable wood covers to tuck the conduits within the columns,
2019, the team’s focus shifted to preparing the interior spaces for out of sight; that way, tenants can avoid visual clutter on the wood
fit-out by the future tenants. Special consideration was given, in when adding their additional electrical distribution.
particular, to the treatment of the wood detailing for this high- Sprinklers also needed to be located overhead, so again the
profile project, which stands as an exemplar for new mass timber continuous north-south beam orientation was advantageous to
construction. organize the sprinkler distribution pipes within each structural
The Victorian architects who designed the neighboring build- bay. The first few floors face 60 Atlantic across the shared
ings were indifferent to their timber skeletons, while this project courtyard, requiring window sprinklers to maintain complete
was oriented to show off its structural elements. There were sev- glazing along this side. These sprinklers are located behind the
eral site planning reasons to maximize the glazing on the south perimeter beam to ensure they are not visible from the rest of the
side of the building: It faces the internal courtyard, offering office. Solar shades were installed afterwards, helping to hide the
unobstructed views over the neighborhood, and provides the sprinklers from outside view.
best opportunity for exposing the wood to public view. Along
with that visibility, however, came fewer opportunities to hide The benefits of mass timber
services. 80 Atlantic is the first of a new generation of mass timber proj-
The wood elements of the building would be a main draw for ects in Toronto. In fact, the city now has several other mass
the tenants, but the details couldn’t hinder the future flexibility timber projects underway at various stages of development.
of the space. High-tech and creative companies are the main The combination of a booming real estate market, a matur-
types of tenants seeking the kind of office space that 80 Atlantic ing forestry sector, labour and material supply shortages for
provides, so the details needed to accommodate a range of changes other construction methods, and surging professional interest
that these innovative end users could require throughout the have made the city a focal point for this resurgence of timber
building’s expected lifespan. The future-proofing details had to construction.
be clearly communicated through a tenant construction manual Globally, buildings account for about 40 percent of green-
that includes graphic illustrations of the building’s features, such house gas emissions; in Toronto, they account for about 52
as those that integrate and conceal services. percent, including both operational and embodied carbon.
Different approaches were taken for hiding each service. With This, combined with the looming climate crisis, has led sector
the ductwork removed from the ceiling and hidden in a raised leaders to seek new ways to build. As the only renewable struc-
access floor, the remaining challenges were electrical distribution tural material, and one which stores carbon for the product’s
and fire protection. Accepting that the lights couldn’t be removed lifetime, timber from sustainably managed forests is key to
from the ceiling, the design team set out to find ways to minimize reducing the embodied carbon of new buildings.
the visible presence of electrical conduits; thanks to the clear A lifecycle analysis commissioned from RWDI revealed
north-south structural bays, the lighting distribution could run that building 80 Atlantic in wood rather than concrete cut
along the center of each bay, so that conduits would not have to its embodied carbon in half. This single decision saved nearly
duck under the beams. 2,300 tonnes of emissions – the equivalent of 22 additional years
For additional electrical distribution, a special recess was of operational energy. Given the amount of energy expended
created within a number of columns throughout the office relative to the operational life of the building, this makes a

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 FEATURE

compelling case to promote the use of timber for future con- to eliminate the need for interior finish assemblies, which
struction projects. also avoids the need for additional labour and materials
80 Atlantic is a five-storey office building, and the first costs, eliminates the embodied carbon of these additional
to be designed and built under the updated 2015 Ontario materials and limits the length of time that additional trades
Building Code, which permits residential and commercial are required on site.
wood construction up to six storeys. As the first project to seek Perhaps the most convincing argument for building in wood
permitting in the City of Toronto, the goal was to keep within the is that people inherently seem to love it. Over the course of con-
parameters of the new code to ensure a straightforward approvals struction, it seemed as though every new visitor to 80 Atlantic
process. Since this application, both professionals and the City wanted to have their picture taken hugging a column. Because
have grown more comfortable with applying alternative solutions wood retains its natural character, texture and even smell,
to build outside of these parameters, and as a result, many other people feel attracted to it in a way that they don’t with steel or
mass timber projects are underway that range in both height concrete. An increasing number of studies are finding links
and use. Demand for taller and taller mass timber buildings between the health and well-being of occupants and the use of
continues to grow. wood in the built environment. From an economic perspective,
Because timber is much lighter than concrete, when the entire particularly for the commercial program at 80 Atlantic, the
superstructure is designed with wood, this can lead to reductions attractive environment that wood creates has translated into
in foundation design requirements, potentially offering higher rents and long-term, high-profile tenancies.
significant savings to the overall construction budget. Timber’s As we reach the point where we step back and reflect on the
lightness compared to concrete also makes it a viable option for work that we have put in over the past few years, it’s gratifying
sites shown to have poor soil bearing capacity. Interestingly, one to know that we have been part of building something new
of the issues that can arise with timber construction is the need for the city, something that has turned out beautifully, and to
to actually hold the building down. contribute to what we see as being an important moment in
Construction schedules can take advantage of the benefits of architecture. We are excited about the number of other mass
prefabrication when mass timber elements are manufactured timber projects that have been announced since the time
off-site, allowing schedule acceleration and just-in-time delivery construction started at 80 Atlantic, and we take that as an
when managed effectively. Off-site fabrication also typically indication that our local industry is ready for this new
allows greater precision and higher quality control, resulting material. As the momentum of mass timber construction
in faster and more efficient construction when materials grows, we hope that the lessons we have learned, and those of
are delivered to site; important to note is that this schedule the projects that will follow, will help accelerate the transition
acceleration is only possible if planned for during the design to a new method of building that is more environmentally
stage of the project. Because timber is a manufactured product, responsible, but also more enjoyable to occupy.
elements must be designed and coordinated to a higher level of
detail with the manufacturers earlier in the process than is the ARCHITECT
norm in the Toronto development community. Quadrangle Architects Ltd.
One of the most obvious advantages of building with timber
is the potential increase in the speed of construction. Because DEVELOPER
mass timber products are modular components that are ready Hullmark Developments Ltd.
for installation the moment they arrive to site, the erection of
ENGINEER
framing and floor assemblies occurs quite quickly, and with
RJC Engineers
surprisingly few workers required on hand. When compared
to concrete again, a wood structure eliminates the time and CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
expenses related to formwork installation and removal, steel Eastern Construction Co. Ltd.
reinforcing, reshoring and the time required for concrete to
cure before the next floor can be erected. Eliminating these N LT FA B R I C AT O R
elements also reduces the amount of construction traffic Timmerman Timberworks Inc.
required to and from the site, resulting in a very streamlined
construction process with considerable efficiencies available to G L U L A M FA B R I C AT O R

both the construction budget and schedule. Where a standard Nordic Structures
construction project may require a crew of 40, a timber building
U N I T I Z E D C U RTA I N WA L L FA B R I C ATO R & I N S TA L L E R
can be erected with six to eight people. Stouffville Glass Inc.
When building in timber, exposing the wood is key
to allowing the occupants to enjoy its aesthetic benefits. C E R A M I T E X T I L E FA B R I C AT O R & I N S TA L L E R
Wood’s natural warmth and visual appeal allows the option Ontario Panelization

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 Turn your dreams into reality
with the natural beauty of wood!
I
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 TechnicalSOLUTIONS

Tried-and-True Connectors
Beam hanger systems by MTC Solutions

The MTC beam hanger systems are a

revolution in post and beam connecting
systems. This system is a complete
pre-engineered solution available in
different capacities. The connectors
consist of male or female components
that drop in together for the fastest
possible on-site installation. The higher
capacity MEGANT connectors feature
symmetrical clamping jaws and steel rods.
MEGANT
Ricon

An accelerator in the mass

timber revolution
Beam hanger systems have many From a designer’s perspective,
advantages for mass timber construction. the MTC beam hanger
One of their main advantages is that systems can be a more
they can be preinstalled in a controlled cost-saving alternative to
shop environment; this allows for a safe custom connections. The
environment for workers by reducing pre-engineered aspects of
on-site installation risks. Human error the system allow for all
also can be reduced when doing the relevant design and geometry
installation away from any extreme requirements to be available
environmental site conditions. The in easy-to-read design tables.
preinstallation also allows for reduced These values are verified
crane time on-site and overall power by extensive research, with
tool requirements. All this permits the the components fine-tuned
beam hangers to be dropped simply even before supplying to the
into place once the elements reach the market; hence, the research
site. This drop-in assembly of the beam and development phase that
hanger assists in a more efficient element may be required for custom
sequencing in mass timber buildings. connections is eliminated.

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TechnicalSOLUTIONS

The RICON S VS beam hangers

One of the most popular beam hanger
systems on the market is the RICON S
VS system connector. This beam hanger
features a welded collar bolt with a short
throat. The shorter throat allows beams
that are not cut perfectly plumb to have
a less significant impact on wedging the
connecting element tight when dropping
in beams.
Most importantly, the RICON S VS
connector has been installed in various
tall mass timber structures in both
Canada and the U.S. Three of the most
notable projects to use the RICON S
VS connectors include the Rocky Ridge
YMCA in Calgary, Alberta, Carbon 12
in Portland, Oregon, and the First Tech
Credit Union in Hillsboro, Oregon.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
OF THE MTC BEAM Figure 2 REFERENCE: OREGON FOREST RESOURCES INSTITUTE
HANGER SYSTEMS
The beam hanger plates are connected
to the timber elements using Canadian
Construction Materials Centre (CCMC)
approved ASSY self-tapping screws. The
modern self-tapping screw allows for a
fast and simple installation, in addition
to offering high shear and withdrawal
strength even when placed in the end
grain. Extensive testing on these systems
has proven their reliable structural
performance.

Interstory drift testing

Carbon 12 is the tallest mass timber build-
ing in the U.S. as of press time. This
building features a mixed commercial
and residential occupancy in Portland,
Oregon. The RICON S VS connectors have
undergone specific interstory drift tests to
investigate their response to the seismic
activity in the area. The tests include plac-
ing the connector under CUREE protocol,
which includes starting the cyclic loading
from smaller amplitudes, then increasing
the cycle amplitude before reaching the This shows that the connectors are suitable to sustain the maximum interstory drift of
ultimate failure of the system. 2.5 percent allowed in the National Building Code. Other types of MTC beam hanger
The testing results include the RICON connectors such as the MEGANT also have proven high interstory drift performances.
S VS connectors sustaining an approxi- This further verifies the suitability of using the beam hanger systems in tall mass timber
mate drift of 4 percent at ultimate failure. buildings.

42                    ‒ s p r ing / su m m e r 2 0 2 0
 TechnicalSOLUTIONS

The RICON S VS connectors are one of

the most versatile beam hanger systems
as they can be placed in wood-to-wood,
steel-to-wood and concrete-to-wood
connections. These special connections
are possible since the RICON S VS
connectors can be welded onto steel plates.
To account for the different installation
tolerance levels between concrete and
timber elements, it is recommended to
use adjustable embed plates in concrete-
to-wood connections.
Staggered connector configurations
are used to accommodate narrower beam
sizes. As seen in the previous pictures,
the staggered connection was utilized in
the First Tech Credit Union building for
narrower posts. Some special geometry
considerations must be implemented,
such as always having a clear path to
Full-scale fully loaded narrow, smaller beam sections can be the collar bolt; therefore, in staggered
fire testing used with one- or two-hour fire ratings. configurations, it is not possible to place
The First Tech Credit Union building was The First Tech Credit Union building the connectors on top of each other.
one of the most high-profile projects of is a great example of modern mass timber
2017 that utilized the MTC RICON S VS buildings at its best. Based on a case study
connectors. Connections in this building done by the APA–The Engineered Wood
were fully concealed to effectively fire rate Association, the First Tech Credit Union
all the post-to-beam and girder-to-beam building was able to save 4 percent in
connections. overall costs compared to a traditional
The RICON S VS connectors have steel structure. Part of this was achieved
undergone full-scale fully loaded by taking advantage of the drop-in
fire testing in San Antonio, Texas, in assembly of these connectors and their
collaboration with the SoftWood Lumber simple fire rating requirements.
Board and other partners. During testing,
the connectors were installed on full-scale
DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
members and placed in a furnace for 1.5
hours; the load applied on the members
FOR THE MTC BEAM
was designed to mimic a typical office
HANGER SYSTEM
loading. The connectors fully sustained Designing with the MTC beam hanger is
the applied loading, with no failure simple. These systems have standardized
during the time spent in the furnace. design tables for both the connector
Being the first of its kind, the full-scale capacities and geometry requirements.
fire test confirmed that the MTC beam Designers can simply identify what capacity
hanger connectors can use wood cover they require for their projects and choose the
and proper wood routing as an effective appropriate beam hanger. The connectors
fire resistance method for connections have capacities up to 318kN and can achieve
in post-and-beam framing systems. This two-hour fire rating requirements. As taller
uses the concept of a sacrificial char layer mass timber buildings with higher fire
from the combustible material to protect rating requirements are becoming more
the non-combustible material, such as the common in North American, designers
steel connectors and screws. Additionally, will require more versatile and reliable
as the steel plate of the beam hangers are connecting systems.

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TechnicalSOLUTIONS

Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge

The routing for the fire rating can be placed in both the
girder (main member) or joist (side member). This allows for
greater flexibility while working around project constraints.
Routing into the joist will require a wood plug at the bottom
for proper fire rating, which can change the clean aesthetic of
the connection. Therefore, if possible connection constraints
allow, it is recommended to route the girder instead.
The RICON S VS connectors can be used easily in sloped
and skewed connections because the beam hanger connectors
only require two parallel faces, which is why they were the
perfect fit for the Rocky Ridge YMCA’s double curvature roof
structure.
For this project, approximately 1,800 RICON S VS
connectors were used. The pre-engineered aspect of the
connector aided in the design of the double curvature
connections. In sloped and skewed connections, the most
Incorporating wood important design consideration is using the right length screw
thoughtfully and to not poke out from the other side of the wood member.
creatively for inspiring MTC beam hanger systems are one of the simplest and
structures and spaces. most cost-effective connectors on the market, tested and
proven to work in many large projects throughout North
America. MTC Solutions is committed to the continuous
improvement of its mass timber connecting systems, and
with that the company also supports the future of the mass
timber industry.
Who is MTC Solutions?
MTC Solutions, formerly known as MyTiCon Timber Connectors, is a specialized mass timber
connections supplier. With its recent rebranding, MTC is aiming to solidify itself as the face of
mass timber connections, by supplying tested and reliable connecting systems to the market. All
connections offered by MTC are tested in North America, in collaboration with North American
universities.

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 From
rendering
to reality. Photo credit: Kyle Slavin,
St. Michaels University School

When execution matters

Innovative glulam and timber solutions

Contact us to discuss your project

(888) 898-1385 | sales@fwtimber.com
www.fraserwoodindustries.com
 W A R E

A family tradition
Alto Collective was founded by the Alto brothers, garage, they built and rebuilt their board decks
Owen and Kevin, in 2011… but to hear Kevin tell until they mastered the skill. That first board
the story, the company actually started long rolled off the line (so to speak) in 2011, and
before that. “We witnessed our father firsthand – since then, the brothers have branched out into
a woodworker, a handyman, a jack of all smartphone cases, wallets, desktop organizers,
trades – create many useful items for the house cufflinks and smart watch charging stands – all
we grew up in,” Kevin told the venture capitalists handcrafted from wood, all customizable to
of CBC’s Dragon’s Den during his successful sales achieve the look their customers want.
pitch last year. “Shortly after graduating university,
my brother and I were back in Calgary, and we Kevin’s advice for people thinking to start a
both discovered this shared passion, this shared business is as simple and elegant as the brothers’
lineage for woodworking.” designs. “Don’t wait. If you have an idea, find
ways to start testing it. Starting a business might
This discovery happened while the two were on seem daunting, so break down your idea and find
the hunt for the perfect longboard, and when small, less intimidating ways to test it. Learn as
they couldn’t find one, they decided to build their much as possible.”
own. Working out of their father’s basement and altocollective.com

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 CACAO BEAN LAB
SOMA chocolatemaker
77 Brock St ­ Toronto

NLT Retro­Fit Project

MASS TIMBER SPECIALISTS

T I MBERWO RKS
www.�mmerman�m�erworks.com 705.424.2222
DESIGN ENGINEERING FABRICATION ERECTION