North America’s tallest timber buildingFriday 17 May 2013
From the outside, the six-storey centre will look more like seven storeys due to the ground floor being doubled in height to allow for the installation of large solar gain windows that will create an open feeling to the space. The architecture industry is continuing to undergo a wood revolution as designers source more cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to concrete and steel. According to Green’s report, “concrete production represents roughly five per cent of world carbon dioxide emissions, the dominant greenhouse gas. In essence the production and transportation of concrete represents more than five times the carbon footprint of the airline industry as a whole.” In 2009, the Wood First Bill was introduced in BC. That act required wood to be the primary building material in all new publicly funded buildings, in a manner consistent with the British Columbia Building Code. Other than the concrete foundation, 100 per cent of the WIDC building’s primary structure will be made of wood and Green has stated that using wood instead of concrete will reduce the building’s carbon footprint in a way that is the equivalent of removing 500 cars from the road. The $25 million building is due to be completed within 16 months and aims to showcase – and encourage industry conversation around – the possibilities of wood in building and architecture while also boosting BC’s lumber industry. The WIDC building will be built of load-bearing engineered wood products sourced and produced locally, including glue laminated columns, beams, cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer timber. Source" Designbuildsource | ||
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