The Canadian Wood Council and Wood WORKS! produces and distributes a number of case studies and publications. A list of Free publications is available for download from the CWC website. The Canadian Wood Council also publishes a number of publications that are available for purchase from the CWC/Wood WORKS! WebStore.
New technical reports outline viable three- and four-storey wood school building options
The Canadian Wood Council and Wood WORKS! BC are pleased to announce the release of two technical reports, one cost comparison report and one life-cycle analysis report related to the use of mass timber and/or wood-frame construction in taller schools than currently permitted under the BC Building Code. Some BC school boards have identified the need for larger 3- and 4-storey schools, and mass timber/light wood-frame provides a sustainable cost-effective option for meeting this need. Only two-storey wood schools are allowed under the existing BC code. It is important to recognize that solutions which are not included in the building code can be viable solutions but have not yet been explored or put forward to the national and provincial building code committees. Three- and four-storey schools require an Alternative Solution for an approved building permit.
Titled Design Options for Three-and Four-Storey Wood School Buildings in BC, and Risk Analysis and Alternative Solution for 3- and 4-Storey Schools, the first two reports illustrate viable timber construction approaches that offer the same level of performance relative to fire safety as currently required by the building code.
A third report compares the total expected costs of the three different wood solutions with a comparable steel-designed solution. While the wood designs are more cost effective, particularly the hybrid mass timber and light wood-frame option, all options are relatively close in cost, and are below the cost of the steel option.
A fourth report, Four-Storey Wood School Design in British Columbia: Life Cycle Analysis Comparisons, compares the sustainability footprint of each of the options, showcasing the lower carbon impact of the wood design options.
It is hoped that these studies will inspire school boards to use wood for taller schools in urban areas, toward healthier lower-carbon, higher density buildings for better living and learning.
Download your copies of the reports below:
Design Options for Three- and Four-Storey Wood School Buildings in BC Final
Four-Storey Wood School Design in British Columbia: Life Cycle Analysis Comparisons
Wood WORKS! BC Case Studies
NEW! Case Study: Wood in Low-Rise Commercial Buildings
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Wood in Civic Buildings
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Wood in Commercial Buildings
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
NEW! Case Study: Industrial Buildings
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Brock Commons
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Mid-Rise Best Practice Guide
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Mid-Rise 2.0
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: UBCO Fitness and Wellness Centre
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Seismic Design With Wood
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Wood Innovation and Design Centre
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Putting Wood to Work in BC: A User’s Guide
Click here to download your electronic copy of the guide and here for the insert; or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Mountain Equipment Co-op Head Office
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
Case Study: Mid-Rise Wood Frame Residential Construction in BC
The expansion of mid-rise wood-frame residential design across the province
Click here to download your electronic copy
Case Study: Surrey Memorial Hospital
Click here to download your electronic copy or contact Wood WORKS! BC to receive a free hard-copy by mail.
21st Century Wood Design, Building and Construction Solutions – A primer for contractors and builders.
This comprehensive yet concise publication provides an overview of a new generation of wood building products, systems and techniques which are making bigger, taller and more complex wood buildings possible. This B.C. publication showcases where innovative wood products have been used in recent projects in B.C. and answers common questions.
Contact Wood WORKS! BC for a free hard-copy.
Wall Thermal Design Calculator
Developed by the Canadian Wood Council, this interactive online tool allows designers to quickly determine suitable wall assemblies for each climate zone throughout Canada. The wall assemblies will comply with any building code that enables designers to choose an effective R value.
Visit www.cwc.ca/wtd or contact Rob Jonkman for more information.
naturally:wood is a comprehensive information resource featuring:
- Videos and case studies on leading edge non-residential and mid-rise structures using B.C. wood products
- Guides to wood and green building
- Wide variety B.C.’s softwood and hardwood species and products
- Research and facts on B.C. forests
- 600+ B.C. manufacturers of exterior and interior, construction and finishing, specialty and reclaimed products of all kinds
To learn about new and emerging building trends, visit www.naturallywood.com.
