Canfor's Bob Smith signs one of the CLT panels that will be incorporated into the soon-to-be world's tallest wood tower. Canfor supplied the specialty lumber used for all of the wooden columns, used to hold up each floor, and one third of the lumber for the project's CLT panels.
Earlier this month, wood began arriving on scene of the soon-to-be world’s tallest wood building, which is under construction at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. This leading-edge 18 storey (53 metre) student residence has already received a lot of attention around the world for its innovative design, carbon-friendly benefits, construction speed, and cost effectiveness. What many may not realize, however, is the important role that Canfor’s Elko and Radium operations played in providing our customer, Structurlam, with the specialty lumber needed to make this project a reality.
We are very proud of the fact that all of the wooden columns, used to hold up each floor, are made from Canfor specialty lumber. Canfor was the only lumber supplier able to provide the specific strength of lamstock that meets the demanding performance requirements for the new design’s wooden columns. This is thanks to the exceptional quality Douglas Fir/Larch fibre at our Elko and Radium mills, and the expertise we have at both operations to properly dry, surface and stress rate the specialty lamstock.
Canfor also supplied approximately one third of the lumber for the building’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, comprised primarily of SPF 2x6 #2. All lumber was shipped to Structurlam’s factory in Okanagan Falls, BC, where it was converted into the specialty columns and CLT panels required for the project. From there it is being shipped, floor by floor, to the job site in Vancouver on an almost daily just-in-time basis. The efficient assembly of the wooden floors is expected to progress at a rate of at least one floor per week.
To celebrate the leading edge work undertaken by Structurlam and its partners within the construction industry, on June 17, Bob Smith, General Manager, Specialty Products Sales and Marketing, took part in a panel signing at Structurlam’s plant located near Penticton, BC. The panel will be incorporated into the UBC tall wood student residence, to be called Brock Commons, which is expected to be complete in September 2017.
Bill Downing, President, Structurlam Products, with Canfor's Bob Smith at
the June 17 event to celebrate the leading edge work undertaken by
Structurlam and its partners within the construction industry.
We are proud to be an important supplier to this leading edge construction project, thanks to the exceptional efforts of our employees at our Elko and Radium mills to unlock increased value from the world class fibre they process every day. Brock Commons is a record-breaking building that sets a new benchmark for the use of wood in tall buildings. Canfor has the fibre, the equipment and the expertise to be the supplier of choice to the fast growing mass timber construction industry.
These photos of the 18-storey tall wood building currently under construction
at UBC - taken only one week apart - demonstrate the efficient assembly
of the wood floors.