Buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global GHG emissions. Approximately two-thirds of the building area that exists today will still exist in 2050.  The question for many in the building and design fields is – what can be done to reduce the footprint of multi-level buildings?

One solution that is slowly taking root, pardon the pun, is mass timber construction.  Advances in mass timber construction have allowed for taller wood buildings of six storeys or more.  In North America, some jurisdictions regulate buildings constructed with engineered beams and interiors to 12 storeys, others only 6 storeys – like the 179 unit apartment building constructed in Toronto.

 

To find out more about mass timber buildings and tall wood construction, EarthMatters spoke with Kevin McKinley, President & CEO of the Canadian Wood Council.  The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) represents the Canadian wood products industry through a national federation of associations.

The Mission of the Council is to expand market access and increase demand for Canadian wood products through excellence in codes, standards, regulations and education.

https://cwc.ca/

After that, we speak with Dr. Anne Koven, Director of the Mass Timber Institute.  The Mass Timber Institute is a public-private collaboration focused on research and development, as well as specialized teaching and training regarding mass timber tall wood buildings and the use of advanced wood products. 

https://www.masstimberinstitute.ca/