Si x do l l ars

Fa l l 2 02 1 — Nu m be r 8 9
P ubl i c ati ons M ai l agr eem ent #40063877

APPEALING INTERIORS
Sleek Finishes Rustic Charm Luxurious Kitchens
Impeccable detailing and tactile Live-edge surfaces, natural finishes Creating function and beauty in the
surfaces are even richer with wood and hand-cut beams most loved rooms at home
 Engineer-Build

Structural Engineering

Computational Design

Fabrication & Installation

Beautiful
Structures
The Soto Office Building | San Antonio, TX
Client: Hixon Properties | Design Architect: Lake Flato | Architect of Record: BOKA Powell | General Contractor: Byrne Construction |
EOR Concrete Structure: Danysh & Associates Inc. | EOR Timber Structure: StructureCraft
c o n t e n t s
A b ove a n d o n t h e c ove r: Metrick Cottage and Boathouse/Muskoka, ON
IMAGE: Shai Gil

O     C     F       

Appealing Interiors 17 WOOD FOR THOUGHT: APPEALING INTERIORS

Some of our favorite recent examples
of wood's incredible versatility in A Practical Framework for As we started working on this
issue, we looked back at recent
brightening up the indoors. Comparing and Selecting Wood Design Award submissions
Sustainable Wood 10 and discovered more than enough
D           Now more than ever, clients and inspiration to fill a few magazines.
consumers want to know about Here are some of our favorites.
the environmental impact of their
Against the Grain 6 SLEEK FINISHES 18
material choices. Here's what the
BATHING BEAUTIES Cities4Forests team had to say
Wood-based bathtubs ready about that at the recent United RUSTIC CHARM 20
to soak your troubles away Nations Change Conference
(COP26) in Glasgow. INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING 26
Wood Chips 8
Projects to watch and COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 30
more industry news
LUXURIOUS KITCHENS 34
Wood Ware 46
BATHROOM RETREATS 39
A PORTABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY HOT TUB
Speaking of soaking your troubles away...

Technical Solutions 42
For centuries, preserved wood products have proven
their worth as an essential vital component of
commerce and everyday life. Ongoing research,
testing and education will help keep it that way.
                   ‒ f a ll 2 0 2 1 3
 Another Award-Winning Season Begins
Fall is an exciting time for the Wood Design & Building team because entries start arriving for
the annual Wood Design Awards. The winners will be published in the Spring/Summer 2022
issue and the section will be expanded to include all categories. Each year the award selection
process is so rigorous that many projects worth featuring in the magazine don’t make the final
cut so, when it was time to plan this issue, the first place I headed to was the award entry archives.
The result is a feature collection of more than 20 projects, starting on p.17, that use wood to
enrich the indoor experience. Since wood can be adapted to many styles and uses, virtually any
project can take advantage of its appealing qualities. Rustic or polished, traditional or modern,
wood consistently creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
As an aesthetic and structural element that is renewable, recyclable and a carbon “sink,” wood’s
many benefits are well documented. We need to remember, however, that some people don’t
believe there is enough of an upside to using wood. We reached out to Scott Francisco, founder
of Cities4Forests and one of Canada’s loudest champions for sustainable forestry, to explain in
more detail the criteria for “sustainable.” When we connected with him, Francisco was preparing
for COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was part of the “Sustainable Timber District” team.
In this issue’s “Wood for Thought,” Francisco explains the framework for assessing and selecting
sustainable wood products, and he highlights several projects and companies that support
international forestry communities. Before we deem an exotic hardwood to be “unsustainable,”
for example, we need to know more about how it was harvested.
Another aspect of sustainability is longevity. A product that lasts – and in the case of wood,
that can be for decades, and even centuries – is inherently more sustainable. Of course, one of
the keys to wood’s longevity is how it’s treated and maintained. In “Technical Solutions” on
p.44, Wood Preservation Canada and the Western Wood Preservers Institute explain the basics
of some common treatments and why they are effective.
Every issue of the magazine also includes interesting wood products, “Projects to Watch” and
other news. There’s always more to report than we can fit on these pages, so be sure to visit the
Wood Design & Building website to sign up for the eNewsletter. As we prepare to say goodbye
to 2021, the future of mass timber is looking brighter – and busier – than ever.

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 wood.editorial@dvtail.com.

4                    ‒ f a ll 2 0 2 1
 inspiration BOARD
WHAT I’VE FALLEN FOR LATELY...
2020
www.WoodDesignandBuilding.com
Fall 2021, Volume 20, Issue 89
PUBLISHER ANDREW BOWERBANK
sponsored by abowerbank@cwc.ca

SENIOR MANAGER, BARBARA MURRAY

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS bmurray@cwc.ca
WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE, PART 4
SENIOR MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS IOANA LAZEA
One year ago, we started using this space to highlight women in the architectural industry ilazea@cwc.ca
after Irish architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, of Grafton Architects, won the
2020 Pritzker Prize. Among almost 50 Pritzkers since the award was launched in 1979,
MANAGING EDITOR POPI BOWMAN
the Irish duo were only the fourth and fifth women to win. The first woman to receive a
wood.editorial@dvtail.com
Pritzker was Zaha Hadid, in 2004.
Because this magazine is published by the Canadian Wood Council, we chose to focus on CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT FRANCISCO
women in Canada. As the list continues to grow, it’s clear that there are many talented
women, including BIPOC, who are breaking barriers in this industry. Across different COPY EDITOR MITCHELL BROWN
demographics and experience levels, we discovered an ever-expanding list of inspiring
female architects, engineers and other construction industry professionals. ART DIRECTOR SHARON MACINTOSH
smacintosh@dvtail.com
This is the fourth installment in our series, but it feels like we’re only getting started:
Farida Abu-Bakare: The former associate and project architect at HOK Calgary is now ADVERTISING SALES
a project director for Adjaye Associates. In 2019, she co-founded the Black Architects
and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), a Canadian non-profit that promotes equity, SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DINAH QUATTRIN
diversity and inclusion in the professions of architecture and interior design. Abu-Bakare dquattrin@dvtail.com
is currently an elected council member for the Ontario Association of Architects. 905.886.6641 ext. 308
Gloria Apostolou: The principal of Post Architecture is a LEED AP who specializes in PRODUCTION MANAGER CRYSTAL HIMES
custom home design and residential transformations in the Toronto area. Apostolou worked chimes@dvtail.com
with Baldwin & Franklin Architects for 10 years before starting her own practice in 2016.
DOVETAIL COMMUNICATIONS PRESIDENT SUSAN A. BROWNE
Nazia Aftab: After almost five years at Akb Architects, Aftab joined Hariri Pontarini sbrowne@dvtail.com
Architects in 2015, where she is now an associate partner. Jodi Buck is another associate
partner and has been with the firm since 2005. Other women hold key roles in the Hariri EDITORIAL BOARD
Pontarini project teams, including associate senior project managers Dalia Alajrami and
Shelley Craig, Principal, Urban Arts Architecture, Vancouver, BC
Nadine El-Gazzar. Gerry Epp, President & Chief Engineer, StructureCraft Builders Inc., Vancouver, BC
Sydney Browne: Since joining Diamond Schmitt Architects in 1999, Browne has worked Laura Hartman, Principal, Fernau & Hartman Architects, Berkeley, CA
Randall Kober, Master Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
with academic and cultural clients on the planning, design and construction of post-
secondary buildings and other public institutions. In 2010, she became a principal with CIRCULATION
the firm. Heading the firm’s West Coast office, principal Ana Maria Llanos has over 20 PUBLICATION PARTNERS wdesign@publicationpartners.com
years of experience with Diamond Schmitt. Jennifer Mallard is another principal who has
been with the firm for 20 years. Several senior associates are women: Cecily Eckhardt, SUBSCRIPTIONS
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was part of the Douglas Cardinal–led “Unceded” project at the 2018 Venice Biennale. Garth Atkinson
1025 Rouge Valley Dr., Pickering, ON Canada L1V 4N8
Sonia Gagné: The partner and architect at Provencher_Roy was nominated – along with a
large group of women in key roles – for Team of the Year in this year’s World Architecture Published by:
News Female Frontier Awards, in recognition of the firm’s Grand Quai project in Montreal. DOVETAIL COMMUNICATIONS INC.
The rehabilitated wharf features expansive gardens and viewpoints connected by cedar 30 East Beaver Creek Rd., Suite 202, Richmond Hill, ON Canada L4B 1J2
decking, terraces and staircases. Included in the nominated team were architects Valérie 905.886.6640 Toll-free 1.888.232.2881 www.dvtail.com
Bier, Sophie Wilkin, Danielle Dewar, Marilina Cianci, Alice Cormier-Cohen, Camille For:
Laforest and Chloé Hutchison, plus three architectural technicians (Krisafie Koulis, CANADIAN WOOD COUNCIL
Mélissa Boisjoli and Maryia Kamisarava). 99 Bank St., Suite 400, Ottawa, ON Canada K1P 6B9
Rayleen Hill: After receiving her Masters of Architecture degree in 2006 from Dalhousie 1.800.463.5091 www.cwc.ca
University, Hill founded RHAD Architects in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The firm designed www.WoodDesignandBuilding.com www.WoodDesignAwards.com
the Monocular home featured on p.26. Megan Lloyd is an architect and Passive House ISSN 1206-677X
designer who joined RHAD as an intern architect in 2016. Copyright by Canadian Wood Council. All rights reserved.
Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission.
Eleonore Leclerc: A design principal at Stantec, Leclerc was selected as this year’s Views expressed herein are those of the authors exclusively.
Emerging Architect of the Year by the Female Frontier Awards, which were launched in Publication Mail Agreement #40063877
2020 by World Architecture News.
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Sonia Ramundi: The BEAT executive director won Construction Canada’s 2020 Emerging Printed in Canada
Leader Awards in the “Demonstrates Initiative” category. Ramundi is an associate
architect at Williamson Williamson Inc., led by Betsy Williamson (included in the Fall
2020 “Inspiration Board”). Also at the firm, Irina Solop is a project architect.
To be continued….

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Against the GRAIN

Bathing Beauties
Wood’s resilience might be tested by fire and water, but when properly
finished and maintained, it’s a material that can be used to make almost
anything – even a bathtub. For centuries, wood soaking tubs have been
popular in Japan, which has a tradition of therapeutic bathing. When it
comes to outfitting a modern bathroom, however, most people prefer a
polished appearance over rustic wood. Regardless of the style, there is an
interesting variety of high-end options. 1
A Canadian company with production facilities in Latvia, Aquatica offers
several bathtub styles in six types of wood: walnut, padouk, sapele, oak,
ash and maple. The True Ofuro is a Japanese-style tub in a choice of four
sizes, from 43 to 61.5 inches long and up to 37.25 inches deep, holding up to
155 gallons of water. The longest tub style, Karolina 2, is almost 71 inches
long and 27 inches deep, holding 68 gallons. The wood tubs are constructed
of LegnoX, a proprietary resin impregnation process derived from the boat
building industry.

Established in 1960, Vancouver-based Wasou Japanese Design produces 2

traditional Hinoki (Japanese cypress) tubs. The untreated, handcrafted wood
bathtubs can be ordered in a choice of shapes: box, rounded corner, deluxe
rounded corner, barrel type, oval or Japanese modern. Custom designs also can
be arranged, and local installation is provided. Price quotes are determined
by wood grade selection, size, features and options such as headrest, backrest,
seat, handles and recirculation system. The company also designs and installs
Shoji screens and Tatami rooms.

NK Woodworking & Design is a Seattle-based business that is best known

for its award-winning wood staircases, but the company also makes artistic,
handcrafted wood bathtubs. The founder, Nathie Katzoff, was trained as a
boat builder in Maine and uses many of the same techniques for architectural
applications and custom furnishings. Each tub – a choice of five styles – takes
at least 300 hours to build, using sapele and sustainable hardwoods that are
finished with a specialized clear composite barrier. The largest of the tubs, the 3
Lotus (which comes in three sizes), stretches an impressive 84 inches long.

With its North American showroom in Vancouver, Baumeister Eurotech

is based in Germany. The company produces 10 sink designs and six
freestanding wooden bath models, including a unique corner tub (the
Vienna) and an asymmetrical oval (the Barcelona). Eleven woodgrain
options include amaranth, zebrano, teak and smoked oak. Most of the tubs
are between 71 and 75 inches long. The wood is sealed using a patented nano
coating that inhibits dirt, mineral and bacteria buildup.

1. Karolina 2 by Aquatica 3. Lotus by NK

aquaticabath.ca Woodworking & Design
nkwoodworking.com
2. Custom bath design by 4
Wasou Japanese Design 4. Paris by Baumeister Eurotech
wasoudesign.com baumeistereurotech.com

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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
WOODCHIPS
PHOTOS: Didier Boy de la Tour
2020 INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR WOOD ARCHITECTURE
Due to pandemic-related delays, the nominees for the third
annual IAWA (featured in the Spring/Summer 2020 issue)
had to wait more than a year for the award announcement at
this July’s International Wood Construction Forum in Paris.
Three projects for each region are nominated by the editors of
six international wood magazines: Lignum (Sweden), Mikado
(Germany), PUU (Finland), Séquences Bois (France), Trä!
(Sweden) and Wood Design & Building (North America).
After independent scoring, the jurors participate in a
teleconference to discuss the finalists.
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Not surprisingly, the jurors selected the Swatch Omega
Headquarters by Shigeru Ban (Biel, Switzerland). As one of the
largest hybrid mass timber projects in the world – more than
500,000 sq.ft. – the structures are a testament to Ban’s masterful
approach to using wood. Collectively, the three buildings on the
campus use 162,000 cu.ft. of Swiss spruce, including a dramatic,
curved gridshell roof that consists of 7,700 timber pieces.
Another session of the awards will be announced next year.
For details about the conference in France, scheduled for
April 2022, visit: forum-boisconstruction.com.
 WOODCHIPS

PROJECTS TO WATCH
CANADA
 dera Development is planning its second mass
A
timber rental building in North Vancouver at
1220 St. Georges Ave. Six storeys will provide
58 homes, six of which will be offered at mid-market
rates for the life of the building. Amenities include a
rooftop social space, an outdoor dog washing station,
parking for 93 bicycles and a bicycle repair area.

8 00 Granville is
another exciting
proposal for
Vancouver.
The block-long
project designed
by Perkins&Will
incorporates
several heritage steel core as the lateral load resisting system. The steel core
facades and was erected first so that the CLT elevator shaft could be
the existing dropped in from the top after the first four levels were in
Commodore place. Fully exposed on both sides, the 7-in.-thick CLT walls
Ballroom, provide the necessary fire rating for the shaft; the walls
with retail/ are close to 40 ft. tall, requiring only one splice to go from
commercial level one to the roof. The glass skin will show off the timber
space on the interiors. Several interesting videos of the construction
lower levels and a 16-storey office tower. On the process can be found at: vimeo.com/crestonparker.
fourth level, a restaurant and outdoor promenade will
span the length of the building, with a wood soffit I n Portland, Guerrilla Development is a small firm that
indicating the use of structural timber. A rezoning supports affordable housing projects. One of the firm’s
application was filed in August, with updates pending. latest projects in the city, scheduled to start construction
next year, is Great Scott Trio, a four-storey mixed-use
 lso in August, a plan was submitted for a mass
A building that will utilize light-frame construction
timber six-storey, mixed-use building at 1650 Dupont and open-air common areas, including a central
St. in Toronto, with 30 residential suites. Gabriel courtyard, for passive natural ventilation and cooling.
Fain Architects designed the CLT structure with The 40 apartments will be affordable housing, with
shou sugi ban (charred) wood siding and an Asian- several apartments reserved for teens that are aging out
inspired interior courtyard, featuring a Japanese of Oregon’s foster care system.
maple as its centerpiece.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL

I n Nashville, construction for 1030 Music Row is
progressing quickly. The building recently topped
out, and the opening is planned for early next year.
Tuck Hinton Architecture and Turner Construction
worked with StructureCraft to develop the five-storey,
122,000-sq.ft. mass timber and steel office building. The
superstructure uses prefabricated spruce DLT panels on
glulam columns and beams, with a central structural
 fter winning a competition this summer, Danish
A
studio Adept Architects will be constructing one
of Germany’s largest CLT buildings in the center of
Hamburg, a public administration office complex that is
scheduled for completion in 2026.
Many more Projects to Watch can be found in the
Wood Design & Building eNewsletter.

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WOOD FOR THOUGHT
A Practical Framework for
Comparing and Selecting
Sustainable Wood
More than ever, clients and consumers want to know about the impacts of their material
choices – and it’s about time! At this fall’s United Nations Climate Change Conference
(COP26) in Glasgow, the Cities4Forests team presented the Sustainable Timber District.
Here’s an overview of the principles and projects that were included.
Scott Francisco
We are witnessing a renaissance of a building material that is
strong, light, flexible, lasts hundreds of years and benefits both
physical and mental human health. During production, it can
restore natural landscapes, create habitats for plants and animals
and employ millions of people. Essentially a solar-powered 3D
printer, the “technology” pulls CO2 from the atmosphere and
converts it into a variety of building materials that can replace
polluting alternatives such as concrete, aluminum, steel or plastic.
This technology is the tree.
Cutting-edge engineering developments now allow us to
build wood structures taller than 25 storeys that can be erected
faster, at less cost and just as safely as their concrete and steel
counterparts, while sequestering millions of tons of carbon
instead of producing it. New perspectives on traditional and
Indigenous knowledge offer synergies between urban and rural
communities, and new sourcing relationships with sustainable
wood producers make it possible to procure “good” wood that
protects forests and communities, locally and globally.
But wood isn’t foolproof. Last year, IKEA came under fire
for manufacturing some of its furniture with illegally harvested
timber from a Ukrainian supplier. At the height of the pandemic,
increasing lumber prices fuelled illegal old-growth “tree
poaching” in B.C., and newly completed benches in Oslo were
removed after public outcry ensued with questions about the
source of FSC-certified tropical wood.
These stories are not uncommon. Increasingly, specifiers
are required to know where – and how – wood is produced.
Choosing wood that actually delivers benefits to the climate
and forests can be challenging. It requires understanding the
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supply chain, how each forest is managed, how communities
are impacted and in what ways the climate has been altered by
consumer choices. Currently, this is very difficult to measure
given the massive complexity of global supply chains which have
sought to produce efficiency often at the expense of transparency.
As an architect who loves wood and forests, I have been
wrestling with this challenge for decades, bringing hundreds of
forest conservationists, designers, researchers, clients and industry
leaders to the table over the past decade to better understand what
might make wood truly “sustainable.”
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
It has quickly become apparent that we need some kind of industry
tool for assessing all of the various wood choices available to
us. It is not enough to simply look at the final certification and
sequestered carbon in a wood choice. What’s required is a deep
dive into all of the possible criteria linked to the material. The
main challenge with determining whether the wood used by
a project is sustainable is that it depends on the availability of
information. Also, we need to be asking the right questions to
get the right answers about whatever wood might be chosen. The
capacity to identify the right wood choice for a project rests in
our ability to pin down the term “sustainable.”
We need to know where our wood is coming from, how the forest
it came from has been managed, how communities are impacted
and in what ways the climate has been altered by our choices.
Sustainability should be assessed based on forest impact,
socioeconomic integrity, carbon storage and life-cycle
 FEATURED
PROJECTS

BROOKLYN BRIDGE
FOREST
Certification + Social Forestry +
Strategic Geography + Species
and Grade
Many cities have urban
boardwalks beside rivers, lakes
or the sea, but only NYC has
the Brooklyn Bridge. Last
year, a team of architects
and sustainability innovators
(led by the author) won an
international competition to
“Reimagine Brooklyn Bridge.”
The proposal would redeck
comparisons. Engaging with the complete forest ecosystem and production system of wood the historic wooden walkway
products must be the foundation of a sustainable sourcing strategy. with wood sourced from a
We worked with members of the Wood at Work community to develop a framework that Partner Forest – a community
could help clients, architects, procurement managers, contractors, fabricators and suppliers practicing the highest standard
navigate the sustainability benefits of wood. As a result, we found eight pathways that can be used of sustainable tropical forest
at both project and policy levels. Like any list or framework, these are not fully comprehensive, management, social investment
but rather are flexible and are meant to be adapted to specific uses. They are as follows: and timber production – which
led to Guatemala as a source.
In delivering 11,000 new planks
Pathway 1: Forest Certification for the Brooklyn Bridge, the
Choosing a wood that is certified is a good first step to help reduce deforestation, protect project will help to protect
high conservation values, strengthen biodiversity and bolster ecosystem integrity. This 200,000 acres of FSC-certified
general screening tool uses third-party audits to check that specific practices and chains of
rainforest. The low harvest
custody produce sustainable outcomes for forests. Canada has the most third-party certified
rate of the wood has allowed
forests in the world – 36 per cent of all globally certified forests – with over 75 per cent of
the community to generate
managed forest lands having some level of certification.
But certification is often critiqued for “greenwashing” – not going far enough in terms income while keeping the rate
of promoting healthy forests and forest communities, and not providing rigorous audits of of deforestation at nearly zero
practices or sourcing in some contexts. Moreover, certified wood can be difficult to find, for over 25 years. Renovating
can be more expensive and does not always specify a single origin, so consumers do not the Promenade boardwalk is a
know where the wood is coming from. When certification is combined with other pathways, global opportunity to support
however, a robust framework begins to emerge. sustainable forestry practices at
an international scale.
Pathway 2: Social Forestry
Local people and communities with a vested interest in their forests often have been found to
be the best stewards of forests in different contexts around the world, leading many national
governments to delegate management responsibilities to local peoples. “Social forestry”
engages local people and communities to generate profits through harvesting and selling wood,
improving rural livelihoods and providing an incentive to keep forests standing. This type of

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management incentivizes local groups to sustainably manage and
protect valuable forests from degradation and conversion to other
land uses. Wood products from community forest enterprises
(CFEs) can offer some of the highest sustainability benefits per
unit of wood, owing to the often high conservation value of
these managed forests. And CFEs are not limited to the tropics;
many can be found in Canada (for instance, through the B.C.
Community Forest Association), the U.S. and Europe.
While there are thousands of CFEs around the world, sourcing
directly from them can be difficult. Thankfully, many distributors
have built relationships with these communities to provide vital
logistical support in the supply chain, such as Evergreen Forest
Products in Long Island, NY, or Precious Woods in Europe.
Pathway 3: Species and Grade Selection
Often, one or two species take center stage for a given purpose,
which can lead to imbalanced demand, overharvesting and
monocultures. Spreading demand across a wider range of
species or grades can redistribute pressure on forests and provide
incentives for diversified afforestation.
Specifying lesser-known species (LKS) and lower grades of
timber conserves carbon and biodiversity in forests, strengthens
business models of managed forests and creates new opportunities
for community stakeholders. This pathway offers economic
incentives for low-waste practices that diversify the pressure on
natural forests, while utilizing more of each tree that is harvested.
Examples include LKS such as black locust (temperate) or pucte
(tropical), as well as “character” and “calamity” wood (blighted or
burnt) with a reduced grade but perfectly serviceable performance.
Diversifying timber plantations also can reduce the risk of damage
from pests, extreme weather and climate change.
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The use of LKS and lower grades is often limited by
preexisting technical specifications, general unfamiliarity and
supply concerns, but many examples are available, including
Whole Forest, which makes countertops, tabletops and parquet
flooring from LKS and mixed species timber, and FSC Denmark,
which promotes projects featuring LKS in urban applications.
Utilizing a wood species without a thorough understanding of
its geographical distribution and lifecycle can have unforeseen
consequences, so it’s important to consult with forest
professionals and suppliers when using these types of wood.
Pathway 4: Strategic Geography
Sourcing wood from a country, region or municipality with a
good track record of sustainable practices strengthens the systemic
benefits. Building on the idea of “jurisdictional approaches,” wood
sourced using the Strategic Geography (SG) pathway is likely to
promote biodiversity, the environment and the local economy.
SG showcases and rewards best practices in sustainable forest
management while building regional recognition and rewarding
governments (at all levels) for implementing policies and
enforcement that protect forests. It penalizes the illegal operations,
poaching and corruption that continue to cause deforestation.
Evidence and indicators allow consumers to choose geographies
that are effectively managing forest areas and distributing benefits
to local people, while avoiding areas with a recent history of
exploitation and poor governance. In this way, the market rewards
conservation and penalizes deforestation.
Pathway 5: Local and Urban Wood
When trees in urban areas die or need to be removed, more often
than not they are disposed of, chipped or even burned, because
systems are not in place to process them. According to the NYC
Parks Department, an average of 30,000 tons of “wood waste”
is generated annually from trees in the five boroughs. This
astounding volume is mostly chipped, and the stored atmospheric
CO2 is quickly released back into the atmosphere.
Forests growing near cities also produce wood that may
be available through local sawmills and suppliers. There is
currently a renaissance in small sawmill operations that process
local and urban wood such as Epilogue Lumber in Portland,
SawmillSid in Toronto, Baltimore Wood Project in Baltimore,
Angel City Lumber in Los Angeles and City Bench in New
Haven. This type of small business can play an important role in
local innovation ecosystems, along with providing employment
and training opportunities.
Pathway 6: Reuse and Long Life
History shows that wood can remain in service for generations,
and can be reused in a variety of ways, from structure to structure,
over hundreds or even thousands of years. As long as wood is

WHOLE FOREST
Species and Grade + Social
Forestry + High-Efficiency
Production + Net Carbon
Accounting + Strategic Geography
Whole Forest works primarily with
a variety of lesser-known tropical
timber species in partnership
with communities in Ecuador’s
Choco rainforest in the Andes
Mountains. By selling these
wood products as tabletops,
flooring and cutting boards, the
business supports not only the
environmental sustainability of
the forest, but also the social
sustainability of the community
in an effort to curb tropical
commodity-driven deforestation.
The use of lesser-known species
allows Whole Forest and the
communities it works with to
practice reduced-impact logging
and avoid high-grade forests,
helping to support biodiversity
and local communities.
WOOD FOR THOUGHT
FEATURED PROJECTS
CITY OF MONTREAL & BOIS PUBLIC
Local and Urban Wood + Species and Grade
In 2019, the City of Montreal had to fell 18,000 ash trees (after protecting
50,000) due to the emerald ash borer. Instead of chipping the wood, however,
Montreal’s impressive urban
timber operation mobilized
skilled felling crews and high-
tech sawmills to produce
wood for city planter boxes,
furniture, cabinets and art and
established a partnership with
Bois Public to sell surplus wood
to local residents. Since 2016,
this program has diverted an
estimated 800 tons of CO2
from the atmosphere and
returned 3,600 trees to the
local community. Perhaps even
more valuable is the heightened
awareness of urban nature
engendered by these useful wood
products, which can support
urban conservation policies.
SCOTTISH TIMBER DEMONSTRATOR HOME
High-Efficiency Production + Local and Urban Wood + Reuse and Long Life +
Strategic Geography + Certification
The UK has been one of the
world’s biggest timber-importing
countries. Last year, a team led
by the Construction Scotland
Innovation Center set out to
change that. Just in time for this
year’s COP26 Conference, they
developed a homegrown mass
timber building prototype. The
Transforming Timber project is
the first two-storey modular home manufactured from Scottish mass timber. As a
demonstration project, it is the UK’s first dedicated, hands-on, homegrown timber
resource library to showcase best practices alongside training resources and technical
guidance for the future use of sustainable timber products across the entire sector.
Using high-tech, offsite manufacturing, the project aims to show how local timber
sources can be used for high-value, long-life construction in place of climate-
compromising materials like concrete.
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WOOD FOR THOUGHT
not burned or decomposed, it stores atmospheric carbon and
thus slows climate change. Reusing wood not only retains the
carbon storage of the material but it is also associated with quality
local employment and manufacturing, predominantly serving
customers who are seeking sustainable and unique wood solutions.
Selecting reclaimed wood products (upcycling, repurposing,
recycling, etc.) and designing structures that can be disassembled
and used again are strategies that extend the life of wood products.
Design for reuse will result in systems and standards (components,
connections, dimensions, etc.) that make reusing wood simple
and cost effective.
All layers of the built environment can be composed of
demountable components that can be reconfigured, especially
in a future where energy, materials and carbon storage all have
high value. Sourcing examples include: Tri-Lox, The Hudson
Company and Sawkill Lumber Co. in Brooklyn; Unbuilders in
Vancouver; Brick + Board in Baltimore; and Good Wood and
TerraMai in Oregon.
Pathway 7: High-Efficiency Production
Going from forest to board to useful building component requires
a wide range of tools and processes, each generating wood waste,
consuming energy and emitting CO2. Refining these tools and
processes can reduce waste and forest impacts by getting more of
each tree into a long-lived wood product. “Efficiency ratios” – the
specific percentage of wood material that makes it from the forest
into a long-lived building – are impacted by everything from tree-
felling protocols to the industrial machines that can join smaller
pieces of wood into large mass timber elements. A detailed
assessment of efficiency also includes energy requirements for
kiln drying and transportation, although these tend to be a much
smaller contribution to the net carbon footprint.
High-efficiency wood products reduce carbon emissions
associated with wood waste at all stages of the harvest and
manufacturing process. Improved efficiency also can reduce
pressure on forests and requires less land because less wood is
wasted per structural unit.
Improvements in efficiency have some drawbacks. Products
that use wood volume efficiently may use extra chemical adhesives
or energy inputs in manufacturing, such as oriented strand board
(OSB). Many of these elements or comparisons can be identified
through Environmental Product or Health Product Declarations.
High-efficiency production can be supported by solar kilns, fossil-
free freight, using minimally processed wood (e.g., WholeTrees
Structures) and implementing mass timber (e.g., Nordic Structures
Envirolam) or mass plywood panels.
Pathway 8: Net Carbon Accounting
Calculating an accurate, comprehensive carbon footprint for
a wood product is very challenging, and there are few ready-
made tools to assist specifiers or end users. Meanwhile, this
14     ‒ fa
all
ll 2 0 2 1
calculation is the cornerstone of any valid Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) that includes wood components. Factors to consider
include the complete spectrum of forestry practices, production
processes, transportation and manufacturing (i.e., stages A1-A3).
Importantly, this also must include land-use factors that may add
carbon costs such as the “carbon opportunity cost” of productive
landscapes and the possible “carbon debt” incurred by the
difference in carbon uptake between the mature (removed)
trees and the smaller ones that will take their place. Conversely,
it should also include the value added to forest conservation
schemes, such as the WholeForest model, which Peter Pinchot,
CEO, explains: “Timber is the reason this rural community is
able to conserve 10,000 ha of primary tropical forest. Without
the sale of timber products, the forest would be reduced to cattle
pasture, like the surrounding landscape. We are able to ascribe
a specific carbon value to each board foot of wood that our
customer uses.”
A systems-thinking lens is vital to account for unforeseen
consequences and counterintuitive behaviors; for example,
increased demand for mass timber buildings could have either
negative or positive impacts on forests, depending on how and
where that wood is sourced. In-depth analysis can determine the
net climate impact so that wood products can be compared more
accurately to alternatives like steel and concrete construction.
While complete tools and guidance for net carbon accounting
are almost non-existent, some helpful examples include: Embodied
Carbon in Construction Calculator, Whole Forest Embodied
Carbon calculation, NRCan low-carbon assets through lifecycle
assessment initiative, Gestimat, PAS 2080.
CONCLUSION
Strategic sourcing is the key to realizing the complete climatic and
environmental benefits of building with wood, which – when
poorly managed – can drive deforestation and emit large amounts
of carbon. The Cities4Forests publication, “Sustainable Wood for
Cities,” combines the latest insights from research and practice to
help consumers (cities, individuals or industry specifiers) choose
and source wood products that have a measurable positive impact
on climate and forests. Our work at Cities4Forests shows that
simply engaging stakeholders in this conversation changes the way
they think about wood, forests and climate. There is something
about wood that allows it to become personal. We see it, we feel it
and we hear its stories. This may be the untapped superpower of
wood. It can change our relationship with both forests and
even our most urban built environments.
Scott Francisco, founder and director of Pilot Projects, is a designer and systems
thinker with a focus on infrastructure that supports long-term cultural goals in
cities, organizations and ecosystems. Francisco has taught at the McGill School of
Architecture, Parsons The New School for Design, Stanford in New York and other
universities. He holds architecture degrees from the University of Toronto and MIT.
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 FEATURE

A curved central
staircase connects
all three levels of the
Garden Circle House,
while a horizontal
window on the landing
offers glimpses into
the hidden ground-
floor study and pantry.
Light filters through
the operable skylight,
providing illumination
and ventilation in the
center of the home
while offering a view
of the sky. (Featured
on the next page)

Appealing Interiors
Don’t judge a book by its cover – especially when
it comes to buildings. Often, the exterior is merely
a hint at what’s inside.

As we started working on this issue, we looked back at recent

Wood Design Award submissions and discovered more than
enough inspiration to fill a few magazines. Last year’s winners
were featured in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue, but there were
many outstanding buildings that didn’t make the final cut – and
countless photos of winning projects that couldn’t be included
due to space constraints (even with an expanded section).
A treasure trove of almost 180 entries in 2020 – and close to
150 in 2019 – displayed many inspiring uses of wood, whether
structural or aesthetic, polished or rugged, modern or classic.
Among recent award entries, outstanding interiors were
the norm. Here are some of our favorites.

IMAGE: Scott Norsworthy

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Sleek Finishes
Impeccable detailing and tactile
surfaces are even richer with wood.

BOLD RENOVATION
Ravenhill Residence, Phoenixville, PA

When the owners purchased this 1950s ranch style

home, it bore most of the original elements. They
wanted to open up and modernize the 3,400-sq.ft.
house, so the existing 8-ft. ceilings in the living room
were vaulted by adding a dramatic, modern Western
red cedar-clad dormer. The new dormer creates an
interesting counterpoint to the existing horizontal
stone facade, immediately updating the traditional
home. The wood cladding on the dormer is then
pulled into the home to create a vaulted ceiling and
partition wall between the living room and kitchen.
Cedar also was used to accentuate the front entry with
a composition of inserted elements on the facade.

ARCHITECT: Studio Robert Jamieson/Wayne, PA

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: J.S. Madaras Consulting/Boyertown, PA
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Cordeiro Construction/Malvern, PA
IMAGE: Sam Oberter

MAGICAL MAHOGANY
Garden Circle House, Toronto, ON

An unexpectedly curvaceous mahogany staircase is the

centerpiece in a two-storey residence for a family of four.
Sustainability, “inspired by nature,” was the client’s priority, so
the design team drew upon biophilic design strategies through
the use of natural materials (wood, brick) and biomorphic forms.
Partial walls and millwork on the open-plan ground floor
provide spatial definition, while still allowing connectivity
between spaces. Clad in subtly veined grey limestone and
grey-stained white oak slats, a free-standing cabinet with a
double-sided fireplace and hidden storage divides the living and
dining areas. A raised breakfast bar connects to the kitchen area,
while concealing cooking functions from view.
The steamed Robinia wood flooring complements the
color of the walnut millwork, and provides a counterpoint to In the back garden, a Cumaru deck steps down to a lap pool, and
the grey-stained white oak slats on the fireplace wall and the a cedar-clad pool house conceals a change room, separate W/C
kitchen cabinet fronts. and equipment room.
Radiant in-floor heating, LED light fixtures, low-flow plumbing
fixtures, green roofs and FSC-certified wood products are among ARCHITECT: Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, Toronto ON
the strategies to reduce environmental impacts. Exterior wood STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Blackwell Engineering, Toronto ON
detailing includes Western red cedar siding, mahogany-framed GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Mazenga Building Group, Toronto ON
windows and soffits detailed with Brazilian massaranduba. IMAGES: Scott Norsworthy

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 SLEEK FINISHES

URBAN RENEWAL
Bay Street Condo, Toronto, ON

This 1990s one bedroom plus den, corner-unit condo was gutted
and completely reconfigured with a contemporary design that
juxtaposes oak, stone and steel with the exposed raw concrete
structure of the base building. The original configuration had
an inefficient layout, with an entry foyer and hallway at 45
degrees to the rest of the unit. The new design reconciles this
odd geometry with two bold wood elements: a 21-ft.-long wall
of frameless oak closet doors that extends along the corridor
from the entry door to the living room; and an oak paneled
wall in the living/dining room that incorporates blackened steel
shelving, the TV and credenza. The original gypsum board
was removed to expose the structural concrete slab and two
concrete columns that frame an opening into the kitchen.
Each wall folds into a suspended oak ceiling, creating an
L-shaped composition that defines the spaces. Over the dining
table, the wood ceiling panels change to open wood slats.
Slender lighting tracks are incorporated flush into the wood
ceiling panels. Engineered oak plank flooring and matching,
custom-fabricated oak millwork complete the effect.

ARCHITECT: Taylor Smyth Architects/Toronto, ON

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: PICCO Engineering/Concord, ON
CLEAN GEOMETRY GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Arcademia Group Inc./Toronto, ON

The Bridge House, North Vancouver, BC IMAGE: Tom Arban

This project incorporates distinctly regional elements of exposed

wood and timber to create a clean, contemporary West Coast
aesthetic. The 5,000-sq.ft., three-storey home is laid out on
a simple open plan, with the key day-to-day activity areas of
kitchen, living and dining situated on the main level, which
faces a large patio that connects to the upper garden via a bridge.
The bridge becomes a visually dynamic element carried into and
through the home, becoming the central stair and the spine of
circulation within the house. A dramatic wood screen wraps itself
around the ceiling and wall of the living area and extends to the
outside. The screen also acts as the wall of the central wood stair.
Wood panel walls define much of the main floor and the
second level. An oak floor is used on all three levels of the home.
The second-floor ceiling is tongue-and-groove fir that extends to
the outside to become the soffit of the home, which is partially
clad with dark charcoal-stained cedar boards.

ARCHITECT: Vallely Architecture/North Vancouver, BC

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Ennova Structural Engineers/Vancouver, BC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Meister Construction/North Vancouver, BC
IMAGE: Ema Peter

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Rustic Charm
It goes without saying that wood is often
chosen for its “rustic” effect. Live-edge
surfaces, natural finishes and hand-
cut beams add to the overall sense of
craftsmanship, while honoring the
tradition of wood construction.

RECLAIMED BEAUTY
Big Barn and Tack Barn, Glen Ellen, CA

The 3,686-sq.ft. Big Barn house draws inspiration from the site’s
existing Tack Barn, which was renovated into a bunk house the
year before (see above). A minimal material palette of reclaimed
redwood, corrugated Corten steel and black steel sash windows
is reflected throughout the home’s interior, which uses California
oak for floors, walls and ceilings. Wherever possible, the interior
wood was left unfinished. A steel grated bridge connects the
upper sleeping level with the hillside and Tack Barn.
For the Tack Barn renovation, no new lumber was used to
transform the bare-bones shed into temporary living quarters for
the family of four. The project incorporated all existing Douglas
fir framing, with additional framing material from the existing
attic dormitory. The reclaimed redwood rainscreen is left to
weather naturally and requires zero maintenance. An unheated,
screened porch serves to ventilate the living space with prevailing
southwest winds through a shutter-fitted double-hung steel
window. A cook’s sink shares the wall, while facing the valley.
The living space is heated with a new radiant concrete slab; a
10,000 BTU propane-fired boiler provides heat (seldom needed)
and domestic hot water.

ARCHITECT: Faulkner Architects/Truckee, CA

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: CFBR Structural Group/Reno, NV
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Hammond and Company/Penngrove, CA
IMAGES: Joe Fletcher

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 RUSTIC CHARM

SOPHISTICATED PLYWOOD
Veil House, Vancouver, BC

A 2020 Citation Award winner (see last issue), this 3,300-sq.ft. single-family home elevates the
use of plywood. A family of four wanted a home that would allow them to easily engage with
neighbors, while being somehow “veiled” from the street. As such, the front door is tucked
behind the primary wall of the building, so that it can be opened with full privacy. Silver-stained
Western red cedar cladding creates an understated first impression.
Inside, white-washed Douglas fir plywood is accented by blackened steel and concrete floors.
The furniture and lighting have been carefully curated to complement the structure. As one of the
owners is a chef, the kitchen is the “hearth” of the home. It is open to the living area, but with the
ability to be enclosed with a wood butcher block when more intense food preparation is required.
In place of drywall, whitewashed plywood frames the staircase and continues up through
the media room and the office. The staircases were formed and built from reclaimed hardwood
flooring salvaged from another site demolition.

ARCHITECT:
Measured Architecture/Vancouver, BC
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
Entuitive Corp./Vancouver, BC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Powers Construction/Vancouver, BC
IMAGES: Ema Peter

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 RUSTIC CHARM
A TRADITIONAL RETREAT
Cox Cove, Penobscot Bay, ME
This summer retreat is separated into three structures, creating
a small courtyard that is precisely aligned to the meridian to
manage the sun and the views to the north. The tool shed defines
the south side of the court and screens the parking area. A small
sleeping cabin with two bedrooms and a bathroom defines the
west side, and a dense copse of trees closes the east side. The main
cabin, sited on top of a gentle rise, completes the north side of the
court. The shadows from the window mullions act as a sundial
and mark the hours of the day and the seasons.
Following a long-held New England building tradition, the
cabins are framed, sheathed and sided in wood. Choosing wood
as the primary construction material keeps the buildings light and
gentle on the land. Siding is locally sourced Eastern white cedar
shingles, left unpainted as is customary in the local vernacular. The
steep pitch of the roof planes shed water, and the overhangs protect
the windows and walls from weather and direct sunlight.
Rust-red paint connects the design to another New England
tradition of using iron oxide barn paint. Interior walls are faced
in white pine, finished with a coat of transparent white stain. The
oversized south-facing windows ensure ample light all day long,
and all structural rafters are exposed. A screened porch extends
the living space to the north through a 12-ft.-wide glass overhead
door, exposing 270-degree views of the tidal cove.
ARCHITECT: Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc./Boston, MA
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Webb Structural Services, Inc./Reading, MA
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Stone Contracting & Building, Inc./North Haven, ME
IMAGE: Barry A. Hyman
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NATURAL LUXURY
Hillside House, Atlanta, GA
Located near the Chattahoochee River on a site overlooking a golf
course, this 6,970-sq.ft. two-storey home was designed according
to jurisdictional land disturbance restrictions, with additional
consideration for environmental concerns. The six-bedroom
house faces primarily south, so passive solar eave extensions shade
in summer but allow heat gain in winter. The exterior siding is
thermally modified poplar. Ground source geothermal heat pumps
provide heating, cooling, lap pool conditioning and hot water.
The eco-conscious interior design incorporates high-efficiency
plumbing fixtures, LED lighting and uses salvaged pine for flooring,
furniture and finishes. Cross ventilation is carefully designed for
each space, allowing suspension of heating and cooling during the
extended mild climate of Atlanta’s spring and fall.
In the living areas, wrap-around custom Douglas fir wood
windows face the primary site views to the south. The structure
was emphasized by exposing the glulam beams and Douglas fir
columns. Throughout, salvaged old growth long-leaf pine floors
are finished naturally. The stair adjacent to the foyer serves the
lower level of the house and is built primarily with salvaged old-
growth long-leaf heart pine treads and steel stringers, with LED
strips beneath the treads. Natural light filters in from clerestories
above and a strip window to the side.
The master bed cantilevers out of a multipurpose custom closet
and storage cabinet. with sweeping views to the south. Cherry
veneer cabinets, exposed structural elements and custom window
system are stained to match. The exposed tongue-and-groove
Southern yellow pine roof deck is unfinished, supported by large
glulam beams.
ARCHITECT: Robert M. Cain Architect/Atlanta, GA
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Mike Quinn/Atlanta, GA
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Pinnacle Custom Builders/Decatur, GA
IMAGE: Fredrik Brauer
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 2021-2022
AWARDS PROGRAM
Celebrating the outstanding work
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 @WoodDesignAward

ades Training Centre, Northern Lights College

oto credit: Michael Elkan
Indoor-Outdoor Living
The ultimate biophilic experience, along with using wood,
is to maximize views to the outdoors. Open-concept plans
combined with large-scale glazing are particularly effective
at creating visual access to nature.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

The Monocular, Chester Basin, NS

This 2,750-sq.ft. home was designed with an open outdoor

corridor that connects two structures – the main house
and a guest bunkie with screened porch – to create a
“monocular” through which water views are visible at
the entry point. The exterior features bare cedar, which is
commonly chosen for this climate because of its minimal
upkeep and its tendency to do well with humidity and
insects. Otherwise, the use of wood was very much an
aesthetic choice, giving warmth and comfort to this
seaside home.
The lower level of the main house contains an open
living/dining/kitchen area that flows onto the breezeway
and out to the landscape beyond. The upstairs bedrooms
were designed with soaring ceiling heights that follow the gable form, allowing for dramatic views.
The plan allows the entire upper level to be opened up with pocket doors, creating an expanded
master suite. When the guest bedrooms are in use, the doors allow for privacy.
The material palette was carefully selected, using natural wood, light and bright colors, and tactile
surfaces. Each building features a central hearth. The Monocular uses these playful, intentional
design choices to enhance the spectacular natural views of the site.

ARCHITECT: RHAD Architects/Dartmouth, NS

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Andrea Doncaster Engineering/Dartmouth, NS
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Black Diamond Builders/Halifax, NS
IMAGES: Julian Parkinson

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 INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING

AT ONE WITH NATURE

Riverbend, Jackson Hole, WY

This three-bedroom, 6250-sq.ft. residence, plus 1,000-sq.ft.

guest house, is located opposite the Snake River and Grand
Teton National Park. The river forms the north and west
perimeter of the secluded 18-acre wooded site that features
dramatic mountain views to the north. The house is centered
on a double-height, open-plan living/dining/kitchen with full-
height windows facing north (to river views) and south. Steps
from the kitchen is a generous outdoor space with a dining
table, pizza oven/BBQ and a series of terraced platforms that
lead to the river. To the south, an ipe deck ties the main house
and guest house together while supporting outdoor seating that
takes advantage of the southern exposure.
Due to the Wyoming climate, which can range from
summer highs in the 90s to winter lows in -40s, the house
was super-insulated and outfitted with triple-pane glazing
to maximize efficiency and minimize heat loss. Heating is
provided via a ground source heat pump, and non-VOC and
low-VOC finishes were used throughout the house. The site was
minimally disturbed for the construction of the house, and the
landscape was returned to its previous state upon completion.
Western red cedar was used for the interior window
cladding, ceilings and the majority of the exterior cladding,
which features 10-ft.-deep soffits running the length of the
building. Using CVG-grade cedar throughout provided a
neutral wood texture with a fine finish. The west end of the
master suite features a long cedar wall with shelves and cabinets
that disappear into it. This was accomplished by sequencing
the cedar boards of the wall and making veneers from the
same boards to clad the cabinet doors. The continuous run
of boards extends from the south deck, through the master
suite and back out the west side of the north deck, covering
a span of 52 ft.
While concrete floors are located throughout the lower
and main levels, the upper level is engineered beech, an
economical and durable option that complements the cedar
with its warmer tones. Statement decorative lighting pieces are
placed throughout the house. The architects also worked with
the clients to incorporate furnishings that create a comfortable,
casual elegance. In the living room, architectural lighting
channels were designed to avoid interfering with the beauty
of the ceiling.

ARCHITECT: CLB Architects/Jackson, WY

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: KL&A, Inc./Golden, CO
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Peak Builders/Jackson, WY
IMAGES: Matthew Millman, Tom Harris

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THE GOOD LIFE
Connecticut Pool House, Washington, CT

A new pool house is the crown jewel of a scenic, 70-acre farm that serves as a weekend
retreat for a Manhattan family with four children. The 1,000-sq.ft. pool building is on
a hilltop with distant mountain views. The design takes its cues from historic barns
on the property. The classic salt-box form is clad in salvaged, weathered pine siding
and punctuated by crisp copper overhangs and lanterns. The building is designed to
blur the line between interior and exterior, with fully retractable glass panels facing
the pool. The bluestone paving of the pool terrace extends into the building, creating
a porch-like interior.
All interior walls and ceilings are clad in 10-in.-wide clear, whitewashed pine
planks, set at the same height in each space. To provide perfectly aligned boards
throughout, the woodworker carefully shimmed each wall to ensure a plumb
surface. Electrical receptacles, light fixtures and mechanical devices are centered
within boards, and the architects worked with the mechanical engineers to supply air
through discrete slots in the wood, rather than through grilles. Flangeless, recessed
light fixtures and speakers are trimmed in flush wood to minimize visual impact.
A double-sided central fireplace warms both the lounge area and adjacent gym,
extending the use of the building into cooler months. In the powder room, white-
washed pine cabinetry is complemented by a bluestone counter and bronze fittings.

ARCHITECT: Haver & Skolnick Architects/Roxbury, CT

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: DeStefano & Chamberlain/Fairfield, CT
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Churchill Building Co./Lakeville, CT
IMAGES: Robert Benson

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SUNSHINE & OCEAN BREEZES
Acton Cove, Annapolis, MD
An active family that loves boating found a small
but spectacular lot on Chesapeake Bay. As the
previous house was demolished, layer upon layer of
old bulkheads and fill revealed how generations of
previous owners expanded the site into the harbor
and reinforced it from the elements. This process
of layering inspired the solution to the design
challenges, which included privacy issues due to
nearby neighbors and active waterways. The new
design provides privacy and weather protection,
while encouraging connections to the outdoors.
The outermost layer is the bulkhead itself,
which supports a boardwalk of 2x8 ipe decking
that connects several docks on the property. Deep
overhangs protect the house and shade the decks.
The second floor, also encircled by cantilevered
decks and balconies, is wrapped in layers of fixed
ipe screens and operable canvas drapes. Riding
in a continuous track along the entire perimeter,
the drapes can be configured to provide privacy
INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING
at the master balcony, a wind block at the outdoor
fireplace or shade for the outdoor dining area.
The large expanses of glass also are operable,
pocketing into the adjacent walls to merge the
indoor and outdoor spaces completely, or providing
the option of insect screens. Interior linen drapes
and roll shades provide the last layer of operable
screening. The multiple layers can be configured
for a variety of activities requiring different levels
of privacy, and for different weather conditions.
Traditional materials such as reclaimed heart pine
siding are layered with modern insulation and
glazing to create a high-performance envelope,
contributing to LEED Gold certification.
ARCHITECT: Bates Masi + Architects/East Hampton, NY
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
1200 Architectural Engineers LLC/Alexandria, VA
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Pyramid Builders/Annapolis, MD
IMAGES: Michael Moran
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Community Connections
Natural wood seems to glow from within when it is well-lit, creating a warm
and welcoming atmosphere. A growing number of institutions are choosing
wood construction for it's aesthetic appeal as well as it's practical advantages.

A COMPELLING OCULUS
The Charles Library at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Featuring one of the city’s largest green roofs, this 220,000-sq.ft. LEED Gold
library serves as a central hub on campus. To impart an inviting, natural
look, the design team chose a custom panelized linear wood system. Between
the exterior and interior ceiling and wall applications, over 50,000-sq.ft. of
linear Western red cedar panels were installed. The wood type was chosen
for its versatility, aesthetic qualities and durability, which allows exterior use.
Three arched entrances lined with Western red cedar extend from the
exterior into the lobby, where they open up into a three-storey domed atrium.
The central dome features a curved oculus that allows light to filter into the
lobby from the top floor. The oculus is the only area of the ceiling where the
wood panels are not bent. The unique geometry for each of the domes was
achieved by gently bending the 2x10-ft. wood panels and installing them in
a custom curved framing system. The primary dome is a revolved ellipsoid,
allowing it to be constructed of a limited number of different panels. The
rest of the system is made of single-curvature geometries, using the same-
shaped panel. While a high level of skill was required for installation, the
key to successful completion was a precise panel manufacturing process
and digital coordination with the framing contractor.

ARCHITECTS: Snøhetta/NY (design architect, landscape architect, interior architecture);

Stantec/NY (architect of record, sustainability, LEED consultant, MEP engineering)
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: LERA Consulting Structural Engineers/New York, NY
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Daniel J. Keating Company/Narberth, PA
IMAGES: Michael Grimm

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COZY SHELTER
The Osler Bluff Ski Club, Town of The Blue Mountains, ON
A renovation and addition to a 1974 heavy timber and
coreslab structure remedied several issues: overcrowded
lunchtime seating, poor flow between the change rooms
and social spaces, a deafening après-ski experience and no
child-minding spaces. The original building also needed to
be brought up to current health, accessibility and life safety
standards. The design resolution focused on tying together the
old and new structures, with an intent to capture the historic
and beloved spirit of the existing heavy timber spaces.
Carrying through an ethos of craft and timber construction,
new Y-columns reinterpret the existing heavy timbers and
are CNC-milled to mimic the soft profiles of hand-carved
wood skis. A new Douglas fir acoustic ceiling runs through
the entire project, acting as a primary surface in both the
renovated and new areas, while dramatically reducing the
decibel levels of public spaces. The ceiling aligns with the
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
lower face of the existing timber frames, allowing a sprinkler
system and lighting to be concealed.
The decision to reuse the existing clubhouse reduced the
amount of waste, while using fewer materials and conserving
the embedded carbon. Many of the existing solid Douglas
fir timber frames were previously exposed to the exterior on
one side, so each timber was assessed and repaired, and the
accumulated weathering was left intact to preserve the memory
of the old building line. Retaining the original structure
allowed the spirit of the existing clubhouse to be maintained,
while delivering what is essentially a new building.
ARCHITECT: Williamson Williamson/Toronto, ON
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Blackwell Engineering/Toronto, ON
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Upstream Construction/Caledon, ON
IMAGES: doublespace
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 SOUTHERN
HOSPITALITY
The Hotel Magdalena,
Austin, TX

ARCHITECT: Lake|Flato
Architects/San Antonio, TX

INDIGENOUS HEALING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS:

StructureCraft (timber superstructure)/
Skeetchestn Health Centre, Savona, BC Abbotsford, BC; Architectural
Engineers Collaborative (base building
steel + concrete)/Austin, TX
Located about an hour west of Kamloops, this new health facility is managed by the
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Mycon
Q’wemtsín Health Society to provide services
General Contractors/Dallas, TX
for the Skeetchestn community a few minutes
IMAGES: Casey Dunn
away. The building provides treatment
spaces for both health administration staff
and visiting health professionals, with two
exam rooms, dental room, counseling
rooms, immunization room, bathing room,
fitness/physio room and a multipurpose
community health room.
The 5,434-sq.ft., one-storey building is
wood framed on a concrete slab foundation.
The front drop-off area is sheltered by a large
overhang with a vertical grain Douglas fir
(VG fir) soffit, supported by a sloped, V-shaped glulam column, which accentuates the
dramatic wood canopy and ceiling inside the building. Parallel rectilinear wings are
connected by the central public space that contains the entrance, reception, waiting
area and community health room. The central space is fully glazed at the front and
back, and the higher volume has clerestory glazing. The walls of the public space are
faced with VG fir wood slats that also provide sound absorption.
Wood is also used as an accent material, with naturally finished Douglas fir window
sill trims and solid-core VG fir wood veneer doors. Wood was chosen because it has been
used as a building material by the local First Nations for generations. The construction
project also trained and employed local community members.

ARCHITECT: dk Architecture/North Vancouver, BC

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Fast + Epp/Vancouver, BC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Ledcor Group/Vancouver, BC
IMAGES: Martin Knowles

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With a prefabricated DLT floor and ceiling structure, this is the
first mass timber boutique hotel in North America. The 100,000-
sq.ft. complex consists of four buildings, from two to six storeys,
with mostly mass timber construction except for one hybrid
structure that is cast-in-place concrete with steel. The design team
chose mass timber to honor the history of the site, where The
Austin Terrace Motor Hotel – previously torn down – was built
in the 1950s. It had been constructed of exposed heavy timber
beams and columns in the mid-century modern aesthetic.
To help achieve sustainability goals, wood was selected as
the primary structural material; by exposing the mass timber
panels, the overall embodied energy for construction and
finish material areas was greatly reduced. An equally important
design goal was to enhance the outdoor experience for guests,
with deeply shaded porches to encourage the use of common
exterior spaces. A multi-storey timber walkway with gapped
DLT walkway panels outside the hotel rooms was designed to
accommodate the existing oak heritage trees on the site, which
blend in with the structure.
The mass timber panels, structural walls and heavy timber
porches were prefabricated offsite and installed by StructureCraft.
Showcasing the mass timber panels and heavy timber structural
components within the guest rooms and common areas ensures
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
that wood becomes an integral component of the hotel experience.
The hotel rooms are glazed on both sides (porch side and
street side) to allow for natural light and cross ventilation.
Acoustic design was also a key consideration. To meet the
necessary STC/IIC ratings, a sound isolation mat was placed over
the DLT panels along with a 3-in. concrete topping. To mitigate
inter-room acoustic flanking which has caused issues in other
mass timber residential projects, the stud party walls were lined
with acoustic damping strips.
Given the direct exposure of much exterior timber to the
sun and weather, the decision was made to stain the surface of
the gapped DLT panels with a “weathered” coating that would
create a consistent grey color rather than the variegated tones
that would occur with natural weathering. These coatings were
all shop applied and preserved during shipping to save on both
money and schedule, which would have been significant if
applied on site.
By exposing the wood structure to guests, the materials
tell the story of how the structure was built while providing a
warmer, more textured material in the guest rooms. The deeply
shaded porches and outdoor terraces give guests of The Hotel
Magdalena a unique experience, inviting them to gather in
outdoor areas throughout the hotel.
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Luxurious Kitchens
A classic material for cabinets, wood is
being used in innovative ways to create
function and beauty in the most loved
rooms at home.

ELEGANT LIVING
Curio House, Vancouver, BC
With two kitchens, this 3,500-sq.ft. single-level home accommodates
a multi-generational family that loves to cook. The use of engineered
timber was key in the design, which features 1,300 sq.ft. of exposed
NLT roof panels supported on glulam beams. Ceiling wash
lighting was carefully placed to throw light across the NLT panels,
accentuating the alternating profiles. Wood is used extensively
in the interior finish palette, including engineered oak flooring,
natural Douglas fir veneer millwork faces, prefinished plywood
cabinet interiors, a solid white oak curio cabinet and dining table,
and solid European beech kitchen countertops.
The main kitchen is integrated into the open plan of the main
living space, with a remote-controlled adjustable-height island for
entertaining or family meals. The adjacent wok kitchen is accessed
by a two-way door and accented by solid European beech shelves
and counters, including a moveable section for flexible configuration
of prep space. The enclosed space allows for the preparation of large,
elaborate family meals while keeping seafood and spice smells from
entering the main living space. Both kitchens and the guest wing
open onto a small courtyard framed by bamboo and wisteria.

ARCHITECT: Haeccity Studio Architecture/Vancouver, BC

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Fast + Epp/Vancouver, BC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Vanglo Sustainable Construction Group/Vancouver, BC
IMAGES: Ema Peter

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OPEN-CONCEPT ENTERTAINING
Lake Mississauga Cottage, Kawartha Highlands, ON
A four-season escape for a busy young family,
this luxurious cottage is located on the edge
of a quiet bay with a dramatic Mississauga
Lake vista. The L-shaped building strikes
a balance between privacy and openness,
with grand social spaces designed to
accommodate large gatherings of extended
family and friends. To control scale and
impact on the site, the cottage is divided into
two forms based on private and semi-private
functions. A horizontal wing built parallel
to the shoreline joins a large great room
ARCHITECT: architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson inc./Toronto, ON
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: BFP Engineering Solutions/Peterborough, ON
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Design Alternatives/Buckhorn, ON
IMAGES: architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson inc.
LUXURIOUS KITCHENS
and an open, spacious kitchen which share
deck access and expansive views. A second,
vertical volume intersects the main form at
a 90-degree angle to introduce two floors of
sleeping quarters.
As key elements of the project, stone
and wood emphasize the dialogue between
architecture and nature by reflecting the
building’s surroundings. Exposed pine walls
and ceilings, reclaimed hickory flooring and
structural wood help this vacation home feel
like it belongs in the wilderness.
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LUXURIOUS KITCHENS

ZEN IN THE DETAILS

Loon Lake Retreat, Lakes Region, NH

With generations of family history in this small town, the owner of this lakefront property
imagined a home that expressed deep and enduring ties to its place while also incorporating
ideas learned abroad, such as wabi-sabi, a traditional Japanese aesthetic that centers on the
acceptance of the imperfection and impermanence of nature. A 1,500-sq.ft. home was built
inside the previous structure’s footprint to maximize lake views and receive winter sunlight
while minimizing site impact. A T‑shape plan implies two courtyards, extending the domestic
zone of the home into the landscape. The entry courtyard is to the north and the south
courtyard gestures toward the fire pit and lake. The house is clad like a cut log, with “bark”
(Western red cedar stained black) and “sapwood” siding (Douglas fir with a natural oil finish).
The living space, housed in the vertical leg of the T, opens with glass sliding doors and a
corner window to the lake. The horizontal leg of the T contains the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The master bedroom opens to a private patio with an outdoor shower facing the lake. Windows
high along the north wall of the living space offer light and ventilation while providing privacy. ARCHITECT: Whitten Architects/
The concept of “beauty in imperfection” can be seen throughout the interior spaces, like in Portland, ME

an entry bench constructed from a solid block of Maine ash, with splits and checks. The interior STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
Albert Putnam Assoc./Brunswick, ME
wood cabinetry finishes mirror the dark and light treatment of the exterior cladding. The floor
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: K.P. Hood
is polished concrete and the walls are unpainted veneer plaster, a nod to New Hampshire’s
Construction/Meredith, NH
tradition of veneer plaster.
IMAGES: Trent Bell

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 Mass Timber Specialists
• Structural Integration Partners (SIP)
Mass Timber Specialists
Mass Timber / Structural Steel
• Design Development & Engineering
• Strategic Procurement
• Structural
Glulam,Integration
CLT, NLT andPartners
MPP (SIP)
Mass Timber / Structural Steel
• Finishing & Coatings
• Design Development & Engineering
• In-House Fabrication
• Strategic Procurement
• Specialized Installation
Glulam, CLT, NLT and MPP
• Finishing & Coatings
•TimmermanTimberworks.com
In-House Fabrication | 705-424-2222
• Specialized Installation
Untitled-3 1 2021-10-28 1:04:51 PM
LUXURIOUS KITCHENS

HIGH DRAMA
Metrick Cottage and
Boathouse, Muskoka, ON

A 2020 Canadian Wood Council

Award winner (featured in the
Spring/Summer 2021 issue), this
one-storey retreat and boathouse on
Lake Joseph was built in a remote
location that required materials to
be able to endure harsh seasonal
conditions without relying heavily
on paints or stains. As a result,
Douglas fir timbers (exposed to the
interior), cedar and torrified ash
were selected as the main material
components.
The 5,400-sq.ft. property is
organized into three distinct
“pods” comprising four bedrooms,
four baths and an open living
area designed around an ample
kitchen space. The home offers an
unobstructed, panoramic view to the
lake and shoreline beyond.
In contrast to the more rugged
exterior, which is clad in rough-
sawn fir, the interior was finished
with finely milled, torrified ash for
the floor, wall and ceiling boards.
The overall effect conveys the rugged
beauty and elegance of wood.

ARCHITECT: Akb Architects/Toronto

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Moses Structural Engineers/Toronto
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Mazenga North Building Group/North York, ON
IMAGES: Shai Gil

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 Bathroom Retreats
Long associated with saunas and
outdoor hot tubs, wood is an essential
component in any “home spa” experience.
Its versatility suits a wide variety of
applications and aesthetics.

One reason the

Metrick Cottage and
Boathouse was a
2020 Wood Design
Award winner: the
bathroom. This image
speaks for itself.

HOME SPA – WITH A VIEW

Waterview Condominium, Arlington, VA

Encompassing just under 5,000-sq.ft., this project involved renovating a

condominium on the 30th floor of a luxury high-rise building originally
designed in 2008 by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Located adjacent to the
Potomac River, the building has unequaled panoramic views of all the
major monuments in Washington, D.C., and extended views along the
Potomac River into the distant Maryland landscape.
Materials employed throughout the project were carefully selected.
Wood, used in various ways, is instrumental to the palette. Spaces are
typically defined with wood volumes constructed of Wenge or rift-
sawn white oak with the intention of modulating the generally open
floor plan.
A large, Japanese soaking tub is central to a monastic spa room.
Vertical grain Western Red cedar walls combine with flamed Impala
black flooring to provide a calm, quiet backdrop to the city views
beyond. A Crinoid (watering plant) fossil is merged into the wall.
Continuous white oak flooring and white oak and Wenge millwork
unify composition. This project exemplifies the power of wood to
impact, enrich, unify and organize a very urban interior. It also
demonstrates the ability of wood to integrate seamlessly with a variety
of other materials, including steel, granite and glass, allowing the
juxtaposition of disparate materials to enhance the beauty of each.

ARCHITECT: Robert M. Gurney/Washington DC

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Tadjer Cohen Edelson & Assoc./Silver Spring, MD
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Peterson and Collins, Inc./Washington, DC
IMAGES: Anice Hoachlander, Judy Davis, Maxwell MacKenzie

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BATHROOM RETREATS

MASTER
BATHROOM
Riverbend,
Jackson Hole, WY
Wood-clad walls and ceilings
take center stage in the master
bath while adding warmth and
richness to the space.

ARCHITECT: CLB Architects/Jackson, WY

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
KL&A, Inc./Golden, CO
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Peak Builders/Jackson, WY
IMAGE: Matthew Millman, Tom Harris

SUBLIME ESCAPE
The Rock, Whistler, BC
This family house is perched on a rocky outcrop above Alta Lake.
Nestled within a forested, hilly topography, wood is a major reference
point for the design, which sits comfortably within its surroundings.
Timber is used throughout the interior, but it is also used as part of the
structural support system. Sitting on top of the concrete base, upper
levels are constructed from locally sourced, prefabricated timber
panels. The panels were then clad with stained Western red cedar.
Interior finishes were primarily selected from a palette of
timbers to create warmth, repose and comfort. There is a clear
visual relationship between the timber interiors, lined in white oak
and Western hemlock, and the trees that are densely packed on
the mountainside.
Fabricated by the contractors and a bespoke furniture maker,
Western hemlock has been extended into the bathroom. The master
bathroom is a timber-lined sanctuary with expansive glazing that
provides an immersive woodland view. The suite was conceived as a
single piece of joinery. Seating is implied by an integrated piece of
timber joinery, carved with rounded indentations to create a smooth
bench. All elements are carefully considered, including the hemlock
step for the family's young children to reach the basin. Overhead, ARCHITECT: Gort Scott/London, UK
moisture venting is seamlessly fitted within the timber linings to the STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Equilibrium Consulting/Vancouver, BC
underside of the soffit. The ceiling consists of flat individual panels GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Dürfeld Constructors/Whistler, BC.
which complete the feeling of warm enclosure. IMAGE: Rory Gardiner

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 INNOVATIVE
UNIQUE
INSPIRING

Edmonton Valley Zoo Children’s Precinct Urban Farm

Photo credit: Adrien Williams 2019-2020 Wood Design Awards Book
Celebrating Excellence in Wood Architecture

Showcasing unique and international projects from

the 2019-2020 Wood Design Awards programs.

E XC LU S I V E O F F E R
ORDER ONLINE
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webstore.cwc.ca 
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TechnicalSOLUTIONS
Preserving a Place
for Wood in North
American Infrastructure
Co-authored by Wood Preservation Canada and the
Western Wood Preservers Institute
What do houses, transportation and electricity have in
common? Preserved wood products.
From decks and industrial poles to bridges and railway
ties, the beauty and sustainability of wood is enhanced by
the science and application of preservatives. In a time when
there is an increased emphasis on health and wellness, the
word “preservative” should be viewed as aligning with this,
rather than against it.
Preservatives that extend the life of wood products are
regulated to ensure their safe use. In Canada, this regulation
is overseen by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory
Agency (PMRA). In the U.S., this work is done through the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The need to protect wood from deterioration dates back
many millennia to efforts by the Egyptians and the Romans.
Since the advent of pressure treating in the mid-19th century,
there have been many advancements in preservatives and
treatment processes that enhance the durability of one of the
world’s oldest renewable building materials.
Preservatives extend the service life of wood products
exposed to demanding conditions where there is higher risk
for deterioration from insects and decay fungi. The treating
process integrates the preservatives, which are mixed with an
oil or water carrier, into the wood fiber to create a protective
barrier. The built-in protection for the wood can extend its
use from a few years to decades of long-lasting performance.
Once preservatives are approved for use, the PMRA and EPA
monitor them through a series of education, compliance and
enforcement programs. Preservatives also are reviewed every
15 years or sooner as new information is discovered and as
science evolves.
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Treating Plant Certification
Wood treating facility owners and operators share
with all Canadians the responsibility of maintaining
the integrity of our environment, now and for future
generations. The Canadian Wood Preservation Certification
Authority (CWPCA) was created to ensure that treating
plants maintain environmentally responsible practices in
plant design and operation.
CWPCA-certified plants endorse a set of principles to
govern their attitude and action in environmental matters,
including a commitment to assess, plan, construct and operate
facilities in compliance with all applicable environmental
regulations.
The Question of Sustainability
In Canada and the U.S., trees ranging from 20 to 80 years old
are harvested to be converted into wood products. If these
products are exposed to the outdoor elements, it can take a
few years before they begin to show signs of deterioration.
When the wood is pressure treated with preservatives,
however, its life in service is extended from years to decades.
In fact, in many uses, preserved wood can last as long as it
takes to grow a tree large enough to become the resource for
a replacement product.
This sustainability extends into the impacts of preserved
wood on the environment compared to alternative materials.
Internationally recognized Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
identify preserved wood as having significantly lower impacts
on the environment when compared to other building
materials. These cradle-to-grave assessments show preserved
wood products have lower energy and resource use, as well
as lower impacts for key indicators such as
greenhouse gas emissions, water and fossil
fuel use, and ecotoxicity.

Are Preservatives Safe?

Both the PMRA and EPA determine whether
proposed preservatives can be used safely.
These government agencies require rigorous
scientific evaluation on an ongoing basis to
ensure the production and use of preserved
wood products poses no significant harm to
human health or the environment.
The ingredients in today’s preservatives
can be found in a variety of consumer
products used in everyday life. For wood
products treated for residential use, the main
ingredient in the preservative is soluble copper
– the same copper that can be found in water
pipes and cooking pans. The effectiveness of
this copper is enhanced with the addition of
cooperating biocides and fungicides; these
include azoles, quaternaries and borates,
which also are used in disinfectants, cleaning
and eye care products.
It is important to understand how much
preservative is used for any given application.
The amount of preservative used in a product
is called “retention” and is measured in pounds
per cubic foot (pcf). A cubic foot of wood
would be equivalent to a 12-ft.-long piece of
2x6 lumber. Treating that lumber for an above-
ground application requires a retention of 0.06
pcf. That equates to one ounce of preservative
for the entire piece of lumber. That same
piece of lumber treated for a ground-contact
application has a retention of 0.15, or 2.5
ounces of active preservative.
For products sold at retail locations, the
preservatives, the retention and the use
conditions are identified by a plastic end tag or
stamp. The end tag also includes information
on the company and location where the
product was treated, as well as a mark from
an independent third-party inspection agency
which ensures the wood was produced to
industry standards. In the U.S., the information
required on the end tag is defined under the
national building codes.

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TechnicalSOLUTIONS

Fire-Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW)

In addition to preservatives, wood can be pressure treated with
fire retardants to minimize the potential impacts from exposure
to fire. Fire-retardants are intended to protect the wood from
contributing to a fire and provide sufficient time for occupants of
a structure to exit safely and for fire services to respond.
Fire-retardant formulations change the chemistry of the wood
so that when it is heated, it gives off water and carbon dioxide,
which slows or stops the spread of flames. Infused fire retardants
dilute the flammable gases that are created when wood is heated
and encourage charring, which insulates the wood below and
slows the fire growth.
FRTW products are approved for use under North American
building codes as an alternative to non-combustible materials in
certain applications. These products often are used in multifamily
and commercial structures for applications such as wall framing,
floor assemblies and roof trusses.

A Rooted History
For centuries, North America has relied on the preserved wood
product industry for the basic infrastructure that is essential
for commerce and everyday life. Preserved wood products are
used in a variety of applications that benefit people daily –
industrial poles used for carrying power and communication

architects services, goods transported by rail and dock facilities for all
things shipped by water – with a rooted history of success in

and designers residential, commercial and industrial applications. Preserved

wood products are, most likely, part of the deck where you

get top-rated
spend summer days and the fence that surrounds your home.
You can spot them in your backyard, along your street or at a

media
marina. As they have been for more than two centuries,
preserved wood products are here to stay.

coverage Wood Preservation Canada

Wood Preservation Canada (WPC) is the industry association that represents
the treated wood industry in Canada. WPC operates under Federal
v2com newswire promotes Charter and serves as a forum for those concerned with all phases of the
pressure-treated wood industry, including research, production, handling/
your projects to the world’s use and the environment. WPC members are committed to producing safe,
largest specialized media quality products in an environmentally sound and progressive manner.
network, getting you published Visit woodpreservation.ca to learn more.
in the most prestigious
Western Wood Preservers Institute
architecture and design
With headquarters in Vancouver, Washington, Western Wood Preservers Institute
publications. (WWPI) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1947. WWPI serves the
interests of the preserved wood industry in the 16 Western states, Alberta, British
Your partner for media success! Columbia and Mexico so that renewable resources exposed to the elements can
v2com-newswire.com maintain favorable use in aquatic, building, commercial and utility applications.
WWPI works with federal, state and local agencies, as well as designers,
contractors, utilities and other users over the entire preserved wood life cycle,
ensuring that these products are used in a safe, responsible and environmentally
friendly manner. Visit preservedwood.org to learn more.

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 Bringing a legacy of
high performance
to mass timber.

Code-listed fasteners. Concrete-anchoring adhesives. Concealed connectors, brackets and

splines. Simpson Strong-Tie ® mass timber structural solutions give you maximum strength
and design flexibility. With our team of expert engineers, ongoing technical support and a
nationwide supply network that delivers exactly what you need, when you need it — you can
be sure that your mass timber projects are stronger, faster and easier than ever.
To learn more about our innovative solutions, see our Connectors & Fasteners for Mass Timber
Construction catalog at strongtie.com/masstimber.

© 2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. MT21

 A Portable,
Eco-Friendly Hot Tub
For almost 20 years, AlumiTubs has produced
aluminum-lined, wood-fired (a.k.a. “off-grid”)
cedar hot tubs that are handmade and fully
recyclable, using locally sourced materials. From
the company’s headquarters in Sechelt, B.C., the
tubs have been sent to international customers
“on and off the map,” including many remote
locations. The hot tubs can be transported in a
standard truck bed, and because each hot tub
weighs only 220 lb., they can be towed easily by
water, even by kayak. Once unloaded, one or two
people can roll the tub into position and, within
hours, the first soak can be enjoyed.
Two sizes are available: six-foot diameter
($5,095, seating up to five, holding 450 gallons)
or seven-foot diameter ($6,195, seating up to
eight, holding 650 gallons), with water reaching
38 inches deep. When the tubs are full, they
can weigh up to 6,500 lb. The water can be
46                    ‒ f a ll 2 0 2 1
heated fully in two to five hours, and can
maintain 104°F or higher on just a few pieces
of wood each day. The insulated, marine-grade
aluminum lining is leakproof, enhances heat
retention, allows for salt water use and requires
minimal maintenance and cleaning.
The chimney requires a 10-ft. clearance
from any objects, but the enclosed, submerged
firebox allows the system to pass most fire
regulations, and it is even safe to touch under
water. On request, the hot tubs also can be
outfitted to run on propane or natural gas.
Filtration is optional, but not necessary; regular
water changes are recommended, depending on
frequency of use. Non-abrasive soap with water
is all that’s needed to clean the lining.
Due to increasing demand, orders are already
booked into next year.
alumitubs.com
 LEADING THE
WAY IN MASS
TIMBER
Training
Training &
&
Construction
Construction
in
in Ontario
Ontario
We
We are
are
Building
Building for
for
the
the Future
Future

Carpenters’
Carpenters’ District
District Council
Council of
of Ontario
Ontario
www.thecarpentersunion.ca | 905.652.4140
www.thecarpentersunion.ca | 905.652.4140
IMPROVING WOOD SINCE 1955

Proud manufacturer of:

The World’s most popular FRTW brand The only -listed brand for exterior use

frtw.com | 1-800-832-9663 | seminars@frtw.com

Contact us to schedule a FREE AIA (HSW/AXP) seminar!