Mass Timber Today

By Mass Timber Institute

The Mass Timber Today podcast was created by the Mass Timber Institute at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Lanscape, Architecture, and Design at the University of Toronto.

The ... more

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FAQs about Mass Timber Today:

How many episodes does Mass Timber Today have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.

Mass Timber Today episodes:

July 01, 2024Episode 14 | Jack Keays: Insights in Mass Timber and Building Codes
Episode Summary
Jack Keays, an expert fire safety engineer and building code consultant, discusses his journey into the mass timber industry and the integral role of mass timber in his practice. He highlights the sustainability and aesthetic appeal of mass timber, as well as the importance of exposing the structure in design. Keays also addresses the misconceptions around fire safety in mass timber buildings and the need for better education and understanding in the insurance industry. He emphasizes the potential of mass timber in affordable housing and the challenges and opportunities in the future of mass timber design and construction.

In This Episode
Jack is an accomplished fire safety engineer, building code expert and mass timber innovator with extensive project experience in Canada and Middle East.
Jack has advanced analytical skills with the ability to recognize and address fire safety challenges while developing practical engineering solutions.
With each project, Jack engages both internal and external stakeholders in constructive and collaborative relationships. Jack brings value to each project by taking a holistic approach to fire and life safety and by working closely with a cross section of disciplines to deliver optimal solutions

Connect with Jack
⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Vortex Fire Consulting⁠

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Architectural museums in Denmark

3XN Architects and their mass timber projects

Mass timber in the province of British Columbia

Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land
...more
37min
June 01, 2024 Episode 13 | Michael Suljak Discusses Mass Timber and Eastern Construction
Episode Summary
Michael Suljak, Vice President of Strategic Development at Eastern Construction, discusses his journey into the mass timber sector and the benefits and challenges of building with mass timber. He highlights the beauty and satisfaction of working with mass timber, the need for coordination and collaboration among trades, and the importance of early involvement of fabricators and constructors in the design process. This includes the involvement of mass timber and in the notable T3 Bayside project located near Toronto's waterfront. Michael also discusses the speed and cleanliness of mass timber construction, the premium cost associated with it, and the motivations of owners in choosing mass timber. He concludes by mentioning the potential for hybrid solutions in the future of mass timber. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of using mass timber in construction. It discusses the need for sustainable practices, the high costs of insurance during construction, the importance of early collaboration with mass timber suppliers, and the shortage of experienced professionals in the industry. Craig and Michael also touch on the economic benefits of mass timber, its impact on urban living, and the potential for hybrid structures combining mass timber with steel and concrete.
In This Episode
The office of Strategic Development consolidates three work groups at Eastern Construction, namely, Estimating, Procurement, and Business Development. Michael defines and executes corporate strategy, guiding a team of individuals to ensure the smooth execution of day-to-day operations and overall adherence with corporate goals.
As a seasoned construction professional with over 32 years of experience, Michael has been involved in Field Operations although his focus has been in Pursuit Management and Estimating. Most of his time have been spent honing his skills in this particular segment of the industry. Michael has led well over 500 pursuits comprising of various types of contract methods including: Lump Sum, Construction Management, Design Build, Modified Design Build, Integrated Project Delivery and Alternative Financing projects valued in excess of $250 million.
Michael’s academic qualifications as a Professional Quantity Surveyor coupled with his track record in the field, has provided a solid foundation on which to manage relationships with existing and potential clients.
Connect with Michael
LinkedIn
Eastern Construction
T3 Bayside
Resources In This Episode
...more
46min
May 01, 2024Episode 12 | Ryan Going Discusses Uoft's Tall Academic Wood Tower
Episode Summary
In this episode, Craig Applegath and Ryan Going discuss various aspects of mass timber construction. They explore the longevity of mass timber buildings, highlighting the durability of various natural and engineered materials. Ryan speaks to his role and involvement in the construction of the University of Toronto's innovative Tall Academic Tower. They also delve into the economics of mass timber, addressing the need for more supply capacity and the challenges of permitting requirements. The conversation touches on the potential economic benefits of mass timber for rural and regional economies, as well as its impact on metropolitan cities. The role of mass timber in sustainable, affordable housing is also discussed, along with the potential of hybrid mass timber structures.

In This Episode
Ryan Going, P.Eng. is a construction manager with experience delivering large-scale buildings and civil projects across industrial, institutional, commercial and healthcare markets in Canada and the UK.

As a project manager with Pomerleau, Ryan is currently managing the delivery of the Academic Wood Tower for the University of Toronto, which at 14 storeys and 76m is the tallest wood structure under construction in Canada. Ryan is also a founding member of Pomerleau's National Wellbeing Committee which focuses on improving mental health supports for Pomerleau's 4000+ employees across the country. Ryan is a member of the Toronto Construction Association's Young Construction Leaders (YCL) Executive committee.

Ryan was named as one of Canada’s top 40 under 40 construction professionals in 2023 by OnSite magazine.

Connect with Ryan Going
LinkedIn

Pomerleau

Academic Wood Tower

Resources Mentioned in this Episode
The CLT Handbook by FPInnovations: https://web.fpinnovations.ca/clt/

WoodWorks Canada: https://wood-works.ca/

RDH's Moisture Rist Management Strategies for Mass Timber Buildings: https://www.rdh.com/resource/moisture-risk-management-strategies-for-mass-timber-buildings-v2/
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
...more
34min
April 01, 2024 Episode 11 | Jeff Ranson: Mass Timber in Master Plans
Episode Summary
Jeff Ranson, Director of Responsible Development at Northcrest Developments, discusses his interest in sustainability and how mass timber fits into sustainable building design. He highlights the beauty and form of mass timber as a compelling aspect and its potential for creating good urban density. Ranson describes mass timber in relation to the development goals of the Downsview Airport Lands master plan, touching on sustainability, economic viability, and procurement methods. He discusses areas for innovation in mass timber construction and the importance of considering the environmental impacts of different building materials as a system. Ranson emphasizes the role of mass timber in addressing the housing crisis and the potential for hybrid structures and low carbon materials in the future.
In This Episode
Jeff joined Northcrest Developments to lead the Responsible Development strategy for the redevelopment of the 370-acre Downsview Airport Lands in Toronto. He brings two decades of experience with sustainability leadership positions at BOMA Toronto, the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), Sustainable Buildings Canada, and Toronto 2030 District. He frequently advises on public policy including appointments to the City of Toronto Climate Advisory Group and the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel (2017-2023).
He received his MDes and the President’s Award for Graduate Studies at OCADU for his work on developing market transformation roadmaps for low-carbon housing in Peru and holds an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University.
Connect with Jeff
LinkedIn
Northcrest Development
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
CWC Wood Design Awards - http://www.wooddesignandbuilding.com/publication/
Michael Green TED talk: The Natural Building Blocks of Sustainable Architecture: https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_green_the_natural_building_blocks_of_sustainable_architecture
The 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by William Browning, Catherine Ryan, Joseph Clancy.: https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
...more
36min
March 02, 2024 Episode 10 | Mass Timber Markets with with Jean-Marc Dubois from Nordic Structures
Episode Summary
In this episode, Anne has a conversation with Jean-Marc Dubois, the Director of Business Development at Nordic in the United States. We delve into the significance of a business perspective within the mass timber sector. Jean-Marc shares insights from his unique vantage point at Nordic, shedding light on the company's distinctive stance in the mass timber industry and the demand for value-added products. The discussion spans topics such as innovation in mass timber design and engineering, considerations of sustainability and wood sourcing. Jean-Marc also explores the potential advantages of mass timber for rural and Indigenous communities, examining both the opportunities and challenges in mass timber construction, particularly its viability for mid-rise housing. I trust you'll find this episode insightful and enjoyable.
In This Episode
Jean-Marc is the Director of Business Development for Nordic Structures, the building systems division of Canadian lumber manufacturer Chantiers Chibougamau. His career spans 44 years in the building products industry with regional, national and international corporations, focusing on value-added, engineered wood and Mass Timber products. Jean-Marc's penchant for delivering customer solutions through value engineering and process optimization led him to join the structures division of Nordic Structures, collaborating with clients, architects, engineers, designers and builders to provide sustainable built Mass Timber solutions across North America.
Jean-Marc is passionate advocate for sustainability, serving on a number of industry councils; he is a founding member of Timber Edge, an advocacy group dedicated to increasing urban Mass Timber utilization, was a founding board member of the International Mass Timber Alliance, and also serves on the American Wood Council’s Green Building Committee and APA: the Engineered Wood Association’s MAC Committee. He has been a keynote speaker at Holzbau and Woodrise Congress, and a guest lecturer at universities as well as architectural, engineering, and sustainability conferences across North America, Scandinavia and Japan
Connect with Jean-Marc
LinkedIn
Nordic Structure
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Alan Organschi - Carbon Positive City : https://www.hewv.com/knowledge/vdm-recap-alan-organschi/82
Larch Lab: Mike Eliason: https://www.larchlab.co
...more
55min
February 01, 2024 Episode 9 | A Valuable Indigenous Mass Timber Perspective: Eladia Smoke
Episode Summary
Throughout this conversation, Eladia discusses her work in the mass timber sector and highlights the importance of Indigenous design principles. She shares her experience with mass timber projects and highlights how mass timber can tie in with traditional Indigenous building methods. Putting emphasis on the need to bring meaning and cultural awareness into buildings, she discusses the challenges and opportunities involved in teaching Indigenous architecture in universities. Eladia also discusses the potential for Indigenous leadership in forest stewardship and mass timber manufacturing.
In This Episode
KaaSheGaaBaaWeak | Eladia Smoke is Anishinaabekwe from Obishikokaang | Lac Seul First Nation, with family roots in Alderville First Nation, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Eladia has worked in architecture since 2002, and founded Smoke Architecture as principal architect in 2014. She is the first Anishinabekwe architect in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as the third Indigenous woman licensed as an architect in Canada. She taught as a Master Lecturer at Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture from 2016 to 2022. She serves as a founding member of RAIC’s Indigenous Task Force. Eladia represented Canada at the 2018 Venice Biennale Unceded exhibition as part of an international team of Indigenous designers and architects. Current professional work includes community-based and institutional projects working alongside Indigenous stakeholders, collaborating with First Nation communities, and listening closely to our Elders.
Connect with Eladia
LinkedIn
Eladia at Smoke Architecture
Smoke Architecture
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
On the Topic of Relationships:
The Mishomis Book by Edward Benton-Banai: https://www.whetung.com/products/mishomi-by-edward-benton-banai-best-seller
And Grandma Said by Tom Sakokwenionkwas Porter: https://goodminds.com/products/9781436335652
Anishinaabe Ways of Knowing and Being by Dr. Lawrence W. Gross: https://www.routledge.com/Anishinaabe-Ways-of-Knowing-and-Being/Gross/p/book/9781138247482
Resources for Architects:
The Handbook of Contemporary Indigenous Architecture: https://search.worldcat.org/title/1085698142
Our Voices (both #1, and #2): https://oroeditions.com/product/our-voices
Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
...more
58min
December 01, 2023Episode 8 | Robert Schmitz: Learning from the Mass Timber Experience of Scandinavia
Episode Summary
In this episode, Craig Applegath speaks with Robert Schmitz, who is a partner at White Arkitekter based in Stockholm, Sweden. In this episode, they delve into the embodied carbon advantages of mass timber, exploring how the growing mass timber industry can contribute to reducing environmental impacts across different sectors. They also examine the crucial role timber-focused architects play in driving the adoption of mass timber and gain insights from Robert's Scandinavian perspective on the specific challenges and opportunities associated with building using this sustainable material.

In This Episode
Robert Schmitz (*1979, Stockholm) is an award-winning architect and one of White Architect’s leading partners. He has steered several of the company’s flagship projects from competition to completion with a special focus on designing public, civic and cultural buildings that encourage a sense of belonging. He is an award winning, modern-day pioneer of timber design and construction and the lead architect of the internationally awarded Sara Cultural Centre, the world’s largest, carbon negative timber building. Robert is director of the Stockholm competitions team, while providing strategic input into the management of the Stockholm studio. Furthermore, he takes part in international Architectural juries and is a highly appreciated keynote speaker worldwide.

Connect with Robert Schmitz:
• LinkedIn
• White Arkitekter

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Timber and Architecture by Shigeru Ban: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/712536/shigeru-ban-timber-in-architecture-by-shigeru-ban/9780847872220
Solid Wood by Joseph Mayo: https://www.routledge.com/Solid-Wood-Case-Studies-in-Mass-Timber-Architecture-Technology-and-Design/Mayo/p/book/9780415725309
Detail's, Multistory Timber construction (Robert has a contribution.): https://issuu.com/detail-magazine/docs/978-3-95553-394-6_bk_multi-storey_t

The Mass Timber Institute
Website: https://academic.daniels.utoronto.ca/masstimberinstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masstimberinstitute/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/buildinginwood?lang=en
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/masstimberinstitute

Land Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
...more
26min
November 01, 2023Episode 7 | Carol Phillips: Jill of All Trades - Mastering Collaboration for Architectural Innovation
Episode Summary
In this episode, Anne Koven interviews Carol Phillips, who has extensive experience in designing with various construction materials, with a particular focus on mass timber. They explore the potential environmental impacts of increased mass timber adoption, including the effects on forests. Carol also shares insights from her work on the George Brown's Limberlost Place project, discussing its inspiration and the multifaceted role an architect plays in managing innovative projects like Limberlost Place. Additionally, they delve into the evolving landscape of the architectural profession, driven by shifting paradigms and emerging technologies. The conversation highlights the significance of sustainability in mass timber construction and the profound human connection to wood, along with the environmental benefits it offers. Last but certainly not least; the involvement of Indigenous communities in construction and resource utilization and management is also discussed.

In This Episode
Carol is a Partner with the renowned architecture firm Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA) known for remarkable, innovative Canadian and international projects. Carol is Design Leader for MTA’s most ambitious low carbon projects. A Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Carol’s inspired designs have received international awards and are distinguished by the spare but assertive use of materials that bring identity and grace to communities. Her practice is increasingly focused on low carbon and timber in the search for ways the construction industry can contribute better solutions to the climate crisis. Along with her built work, Carol provides service to the architectural community through teaching at the University of Toronto, lecturing internationally, acting as a juror for design awards, and sitting on various design review panels.
Connect with Carol Phillips:
LinkedIn

Carol at Moriyama Teshima
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
FPAC Documentary: Capturing carbon:
https://www.fpac.ca/posts/canadian-forestry-documentary-capturing-carbon-to-be-featured-at-united-nations-cop27-conference

Constructing Health by Tye Farrow: https://www.fpac.ca/posts/canadian-forestry-documentary-capturing-carbon-to-be-featured-at-united-nations-cop27-conference - Coming Soon

Canadian Wood Council Primers: https://cwc.ca/

Eli Gould: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-gould-4b956935 from Offsite Wood (https://offsitewood.org/)

Moriyama Teshima Architects: https://mtarch.com/

Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
...more
48min
October 01, 2023Episode 6 | Mark Gaglione: Cutting Edge Mass Timber Technology with EllisDon
Episode Summary
In this episode, Craig Applegath speaks with Mark Gaglione, Co-Director of Construction Sciences at EllisDon Construction and a proponent of sustainable mass timber. They discuss the environmental impact of mass timber, strategies to enhance the cost-effectiveness of mass timber construction, and the current challenges hindering the widespread adoption of mass timber, particularly in Canada.

In This Episode
Initially trained as an engineer, Mark Gaglione spent the early part of his career in private real estate development. Now with EllisDon, Mark leads the Building and Material Sciences team where he is focused on accelerating the adoption of emerging construction technologies and supporting construction operations nationally. Mark has played a central role in the proliferation of mass timber within EllisDon and is passionate about low-carbon building solutions.

Connect with Mark
- LinkedIn
- Mark at EllisDon

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Construction Physics - Table of Contents is a great place to start: https://constructionphysics.substack.com/p/construction-physics-table-of-contents

FP innovations CLT handbook: https://web.fpinnovations.ca/clt/

Ricky McLain: https://www.youtube.com/@MassTimberHowTos
...more
50min
September 01, 2023 Episode 5 | Dr. Jeremy Williams: Forest Certification and Sustainability
Episode Summary:
In this episode, our guest is Dr. Jeremy Williams. Jeremy earned a B.Sc.F. from the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, in 1979 and a Ph.D. in Forest Economics from the same institute in 1986. In between the two degrees, he worked with the Sabah (Malaysia) Forest Department as a CUSO volunteer and then later as a consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Jeremy has consulted since 1987, and the majority of his experience is grounded in the forest sector. Early areas of specialization included wood supply analysis and forest modeling, developing and assessing criteria and indicators of sustainable development, and sectoral analysis work. Starting in 1999, Jeremy began to undertake forest sustainability and compliance audits in forests across Ontario (these generally range from 500,000 – 1.5 million ha). He has undertaken approximately 50 of these audits, more than half as the lead auditor. Jeremy has also been active with the Forest Stewardship Council, serving as a technical writer for the Canadian National Boreal Standard, leading part of the centralized national risk assessment for controlled wood in Canada, and most recently studying the impact of Intact Forest Landscape protection. I have also become an FSC auditor, and have participated in approximately 12 assessments and numerous annual audits.
Jeremy has been in the carbon space since 1999, when he undertook a series of projects for the federal government looking at afforestation and reforestation prospects in Canada. He has been involved in the development of three forest carbon protocols, developed project description documents for afforestation projects, been a verifier, and undertaken reviews and analyses of different forest carbon protocols and risks of reversal. Jeremy also conducted an expert review of the British Dept of Energy and Climate Change’s biomass research.
In addition to his work in the forest carbon space, Jeremy has undertaken studies of the carbon associated with grasslands, completed a carbon footprint analysis for a company that manufactures picture frames, analyzed GHG data for a quarrying operation, and completed a carbon accounting for a major cannabis producer.
Jeremy has also worked with and advised many First Nations and the Métis Nation of Ontario, for whom he is an advisor and assists with various projects, including mentoring new staff. For ten years, Jeremy served on the Board of Directors of the Silver Taiga Foundation, which managed the model forest program for the Komi Model Forest, in Russia. Between 2009 and 2014, he was chair of the Board.Finally, for the last several years, Jeremy has been a core team member for the Sustainable Biomass Program’s Regional Risk Assessments from British Columbia, New Brunswick, and most recently, Nova Scotia. Jeremy also led the preparation of a Catchment Area Analysis for two pellet mills in Burns Lake and Houston, B.C.
In this episode, our host, Anne Koven speaks with Dr. Jeremy Williams. Jeremy is a Registered Professional Forester with the province of Ontario in Canada. He is also the president of Arborvitae Environmental Services providing clients with services related to carbon offsets, verification, forest management planning, forest economics, auditing and consulting. Here, Anne and Jeremy delve into the sourcing aspect of mass timber to help builders and architects understand where their wood is coming from and how to ensure it is coming from a sustainable source. They also touch on biogenic carbon and its implications in sustainable construction with the climate crisis always in mind.
Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn

...more
40min

FAQs about Mass Timber Today:

How many episodes does Mass Timber Today have?

The podcast currently has 16 episodes available.

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