CLT holds several advantages over traditional construction materials. It has a shorter construction period (by six months on average), is cheaper to manufacture due to its prefabricated method, is lighter and more durable than concrete and has a better thermal performance.

Its strong sustainability credentials – lower CO2 emissions and energy usage than traditional construction materials – are particularly appealing. 1m3 spruce wood absorbs 622kg CO2 whereas 1m3 concrete emits 300kg CO2.

Public awareness of environmental issues is growing quickly in South Korea, and the construction industry continues to look for more sustainable strategies. Whilst mass timber is gaining traction in South Korea, there still exists a number of challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome, such as uncertainty around the fire performance causing doubt amongst industry stakeholders. It is Canada Wood Korea’s priority to work with key industry stakeholders to address those issues.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is teaming up with PEFC International to bring you the 2023 SFI Annual Conference in collaboration with PEFC Week in beautiful Vancouver, BC, from May 14-18, 2023.

Construction is underway on the $180 million Gateway Building at the University of British Columbia, designed by Perkins&Will and Schmidt Hammer Lassen. Intended as a “principal point of entry” to the UBC campus, the design of the six-story, 267,000-square-foot mass timber building seeks to balance sustainability, personal well-being, and Indigenous collaboration.

President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Derek Nighbor, shares how sustainable forest management practices are leading to big gains for our economy, our communities and the planet. He discusses exciting developments in carbon-capture building materials, how sustainable forest management is supporting Indigenous reconciliation – and what really goes into the price of a 2x4.

Today’s modern light-frame wood and mass timber buildings have a proven fire safety record and are suitable for meeting the stringent safety guidelines for schools. Wood buildings, particularly those using engineered wood products, are well suited to withstand and remain resilient against lateral seismic forces.

Along with environmental and safety benefits, the report says prefabricated light-frame and mass timber schools can potentially be built better and faster. Manufactured off-site and quickly assembled on-site, these building systems can shorten the construction timeline—by months in some cases.