Construction of Brock Commons Tallwood House, University of British Columbia. At time of completion in 2017, the tallest mass timber building in the world (photo by KK Law, courtesy of the B.C. Government)

By Liam Verster

action plan

Mass timber now viable for tall building construction

Apr 10, 2024 | 11:00 AM

Builders in B.C. have more options for construction.

The province has updated the B.C. Building Code to expand the use of mass timber in taller buildings, as well as in school, library and retail construction.

“These changes will help reduce carbon pollution, support the forestry sector, create jobs, build more homes and lead to more vibrant communities,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said.

“We know mass timber looks great, and now we can use it in larger buildings and more types of buildings.”

Mass timber is the term for strengthened material created by fastening together layers of smaller-dimension wood with glue, dowels or nails. The province said this process can deliver as much as seven times the economic value when compared to milling logs for lumber.

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The changes take effect immediately and allow mass timber to be used in the construction of buildings as tall as 18 storeys for residential and office purposes; school, libraries, retail buildings, light- and medium-industrial occupancies, and care facilities.

It also permits for more exposed mass timber in buildings, based on a building height and use, such as residential buildings with as many as eight storeys.

“This is another step forward for British Columbia’s world-class mass-timber sector as we continue to accelerate the adoption of this strong, clean building technology,” Minister of State for Trade Jagrup Brar and chair of the Mass Timber Advisory Council, said.

“Through our Mass Timber Action Plan, we are diversifying both our forestry and construction industries to build a strong, clean and sustainable economy that works for people.”

The changes to the B.C. Building Code’s use of mass timber were developed by a national joint task group co-chaired by B.C. and Quebec, and reviewed by an expert technical advisory group.