PROJECT GOALS

The project goal is to expand market demand for Canadian wood products, specifically in the mid-rise (6-8 storey) development market. This will be achieved by undertaking research, constructing a prototype and ultimately revise the National Building Code to permit combustible assemblies in mid-rise construction. Positioning wood as the most sustainable and the only renewable building material is essential to achieving the project goal.

PROJECT PHASES

The project consists of the following four phases, with Phases 1 and 2 completed:

1. WOOD USE IN MID-RISE CONSTRUCTION POSITION PAPER

2. EXPERT FORUMS

3. CONSTRUCT PROTOTYPE (Proposed)

4. IMPLEMENT CHANGE IN NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

(Proposed)

PHASE 1: WOOD USE IN MID-RISE CONSTRUCTION POSITION PAPER

The first phase of this project consisted of research, workshops and the preparation of a preliminary report: "Sustaining Wood Use in Future Development." (Urban Arts Architecture, 2007). This paper identified the issues and established the overall project phases.

PHASE 2: EXPERT FORUMS

Two national Expert Forums of approximately 50 industry participants each were held to identify challenges facing the industry and propose solutions for enabling the construction of mid-rise buildings in wood. The goal of this phase was to further explore the issues with national and international participants, building upon the initial report; and through brainstorming and technology transfer, learn from international and local research into multi-storey wood construction.

NEXT STEPS

The next steps are to construct a prototype project and to ultimately implement change in the National Building Code. These two phases will address the five streams of exploration determined in the Expert Forums: sustainability, code issues, prefabrication, structural and

marketting.

PHASE 3: CONSTRUCT PROTOTYPE:

The third phase of the project will further build upon work to date, aiming to apply the research in the two built prototype projects. The scope of work included the design and construction of two prototype projects, located respectively in eastern and western Canada. Achieving a built prototype primarily addresses code issues, but will also be a demonstration project that:

? positively addresses market image and perception,

? is a sustainable LEEDTM gold equivalent and / or Green Globe project (minimum),

? address structural issues, and

? demonstrates further research and development into new products and prefab approaches.

PHASE 4: IMPLEMENT CHANGE IN NATIONAL BUILDING CODE

This phase will consist of the application to revise the National Building Code. It will build upon the equivalencies and construction strategies established in the development of the prototype.

6.9 Prefabrication

Currently, the prefabrication industry in North America is lagging behind Europe, particularly in residential construction. However, prefabrication of composite wood products is being used successfully in the commercial and institutional markets in North America. Current examples in British Columbia include:

? Richmond Speed Skating Oval (insulated roof panels),

? Whistler Cultural Building (insulated roof panels), and

? Skytrain Stations, Vancouver + Burnaby, BC.

Research and development and technology transfer from other jurisdictions and markets are the key to success for the wood industry. The residential market needs the development of basic repetitive wood components, and may include the following:

? Fully Integrated Wall Systems

? Fully Integrated Floor Systems

? Fully Integrated Modular Systems

? Hybrid Plate and Stud