TRCA gets $2M to build environmentally-friendly mass timber office

The project is also to push growth of Canada’s wood market globally

Yorkregion.com
August 12, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Judy Sgro, MP for Humber River--Black Creek, announced on Friday, Aug. 9 an investment of $2 million over three years to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for the construction of a four-storey, mass timber office building in Toronto.

"This incredible project will demonstrate the benefits of using timber in the construction of commercial buildings,” said Sgro during the announcement at the Vaughan-based TRCA. “It will help make Toronto a more sustainable and liveable community while supporting the development of new markets for Canada's forest industry."

Sgro made the announcement on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi, who hopes to position Canada as a global leader in advanced wood building design and construction while also expanding the national wood market into non-traditional, low-rise office buildings.

Once completed, the office will be a net-zero energy-efficient building, meaning that it will produce at least as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis.

“By helping TRCA build with wood, the Government of Canada is investing in sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping TRCA set a high benchmark for the construction of new commercial buildings," said Jennifer Innis, TRCA’s Chair.

The structure will be built with glue-laminated timber, an engineered wood product that is bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesive.

The funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada's Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program. The GCWood program encourages the use of wood in non-traditional construction projects, such as tall buildings, low-rise non-residential buildings and bridges.

"We are very excited about this announcement. The design of the TRCA's new head office is very innovative,” said Marianne Berube, executive director, of Ontario Wood WORKS!

“It demonstrates applications for mass timber products and systems that are currently uncommon in the low-rise commercial sector,” Berube added. “The educational value of this building is significant, and the example it sets will help drive advancement in sustainable wood construction and open the door to the increased use of wood in low-rise commercial buildings across Canada."