2023 WOODTALKS™ AT THE GBM

MANUFACTURER & SPECIFIER COLLABORATION SERIES

BC Wood will be hosting the 20th Annual Global Buyer’s Mission (GBM), September 7th to 9th, featuring WoodTALKS, designed to enlighten, inform and inspire on the use of wood in design and construction. This accredited live event, presented by BC’s wood industry suppliers and partners, will explore current Architectural projects and Manufacturing Advancements.

More information is to be released soon. In the meantime, check below for what our 2022 WoodTALKS at the GBM program looked like. If you have any questions about WoodTALKS at the GBM, please email gbm@bcwood.com.

Credits: 1.0 learning hour/ AIBC 1.0 Core LU/ BC Housing 1 CPD, Informal / AIA 1 LU / AAA 1 Structured LU

Featuring two new spectacular North American projects, this session will study the utilization of heavy timber and mass timber technology in both residential and commercial construction, and the synergies of the project teams involved.

Case Study 1: In 2002 Brian Hemingway engaged in the design of a new home that was just completed this year (2022). As with all of Hemingway’s projects he immerses himself in the life of his client and the environment where the home will be built, in a process where both he and the owner have the chance to understand one another to the point where they can be sure their working relationship will be a success. The result of this intimate connection is a creation that embodies lifestyle, culture and environment. Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Hemingway believes that a house should endeavor to be designed as a temple for the soul. Brian will shed light on his vision for this project while telling the story of a 20 year process including conceptual vision, design, wood procurement, detailed planning and execution; and the collaboration of a talented team of architects, engineers, craftsmen and sub-trades who came together with the owners to make this masterpiece of West Coast residential architecture a reality. Carl Tessmann from Island Timberframe will contribute with insight into the process of timberframe design and fabrication, from initial meetings with Brian, the client and the design/build team through the detailed planning and execution Brian’s vision. In a project of this magnitude details are everything – wood quality, handling, joinery details and finishing – all with miniscule tolerance to ensure flawless assembly on-site while meeting high level quality expectations.

Case Study 2: Shigeru Ban Architects: A Study in Sustainability + Structure. Shigeru Ban Architects will present their approach to timber construction, sustainability, and design with a detailed exploration of two notable timber projects: the Aspen Art Museum, completed in 2014, and the Kentucky Owl Bourbon Distillery, expected completion 2025.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learn about the process of timberframe design and fabrication, including wood quality, handling, joinery and finishing
  2. Discover the architectural design opportunities and challenges in creating spectacular wooden pyramid structures
  3. Learn about the collaboration process of the design build team in construction utilizing heavy timber and mass timber
  4. Learn how swapping steel structures for wood benefits environment and aesthetics in buildings and making space blend in better with the landscape.

Speaker Profiles:

Dean Maltz:

Dean Maltz is Managing Partner of Shigeru Ban Architects. Maltz began working with Shigeru Ban Architects in 1999 and is responsible for all SBA projects in North and South America. Notable projects include the AIA National Honor Award-winning Aspen Art Museum (2014), Metal Shutter House (2011), and the Nomadic Museum (2005). Maltz is currently overseeing the design of a 420-acre bourbon distillery park for Kentucky Owl in Bardstown, Kentucky. Recently Maltz completed a luxury condominium, the Cast Iron House in New York, NY, which will be highlighted in an upcoming episode of the CBS Primetime show America by Design.

Dean Maltz is a licensed architect in New York and five other states and provinces in the United States and Canada. Maltz is a graduate of the Cooper Union School of Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture, 1984) and Harvard Graduate School of Design (Master of Architecture, 1986). He has taught at numerous institutions, including Columbia University, Washington University, and Cornell University.

Brian Hemingway:

Born into a British military family in Calcutta, India in 1942, Brian Hemingway migrated to the West Coast of Vancouver at 18 years of age. After working as a draftsman/designer for several of the city’s notable engineering firms, he decided to study architecture at the University of British Columbia. In his distinguished career Brian has been involved in many institutional, civil and residential projects including Granville Island, redevelopment projects in False Creek, several international resort and housing projects. Since 1995 Brian’s primary focus has been on the custom design of residences in the Pacific Northwest.

Carl Tessmann, – partner at Island TimberFrame Ltd. On Vancouver Island:

With 10 years in the timber frame industry and years of previous framing and general carpentry experience, Carl sees timber frame as a signature element of west coast architecture. In his role at Island Timberframe he works with architects, builders and homeowners to integrate timber components into projects with varied design styles and building requirements.

Credits: 1.0 learning hour/ AIBC 1.0 Core LU/ AIA 1 LU / AAA 1 Structured LU

Builders and designers in custom residential and commercial construction share the same objective – to ensure their clients’ needs are met. In this session, multi-award winning Isabey Interiors will discuss the overall collaborative process of creating the dream team (design-architect-manufacturer-builder) to make it an enjoyable process for both the client and the project partners. Assembling the dream team is a crucial element of creating an outstanding project. Layering your team with the right people and integrating systems results in an enhanced experience for all involved. Uniting the build and design community will result in best assessing what the client’s needs are.

A case study will demonstrate how the team completes a recent custom-home construction and renovation using a design-build process to effectively save time & costs. The team creates highly detailed renderings of the project using software’s such as AutoCAD, so any necessary changes can be made to the project that suite the client, before it’s too late or costly. An example of collaboration with manufacturing partner Norelco is on cabinetry design. The in-house millwork designer creates the renderings & design. Once the design is finalized, Norelco puts the cabinets into production. The result is a custom, cutting-edge kitchen design.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Discover resources on how to assemble a dream team to integrate services of designer-architect-builder- manufacturer-and client in creating an outstanding residential or commercial project
  2. Learn about the production efficiency, and the time and cost benefits in collaborating directly with the design teams at cabinet manufacturers
  3. Discuss the expectations and layering your design-build team with the right people and integrating systems resulting in an enhanced experience for all involved
  4. Discover how the team completes a recent custom-home construction and renovation using a design-build process to effectively save time & construction costs

Speaker Profile:

Trisha Isabey

Trisha Isabey is the Founder and Creative Director at award winning Isabey Interiors. This sought-after designer shares more than a decade of experience, with a diverse and extensive portfolio including custom homes, multi-family developments and commercial projects. Her multi award-winning company specializes now in both residential and commercial designs, focusing on personality and style, while maximizing function and liveability.

Her firm Isabey Interiors has been recognized with the Okanagan Housing Award of Excellence for Interior Designer of the Year, propelling the Isabey brand into the Okanagan and surrounding community. Trisha has now expanded the Isabey Collective to offer a furniture and home decor store, called Furnish by Isabey Interiors, a custom artisan gifting company called Furnish for You, as well as Isabey Home, a collaborative build and design company. The Isabey Collective is the evolution of 4 companies coming together, creating a complete home solution. These additions now bring the process full-circle for Trisha and her clients by servicing the entire build, from concept of construction drawings to complete furniture and decor packages.

Credits: 1.0 learning hour/ AIBC 1.0 Core LU/ BC Housing 1 CPD, Informal / AIA 1 LU / AAA 1 Structured LU

Photo Credit: Daizen Joinery

From design to creation of authentically beautiful timber structures for luxury residential projects, Architects are collaborating more with advanced timber frame manufacturers in British Columbia. How timber looks is a key factor for homeowners and the durability is important for contractors. In this session you will discover how steel integration is becoming a common approach to provide durability on all large scale residential projects for BC manufacturer, Daizen Joinery. Structural integrity is paramount to their work and there are times when timber frames require reinforced strength through steel or engineered wood. Through featured projects, you will also discover distinctive techniques inspired by Daizen’s traditional Japanese workmanship, which are delivered through a combination of precision technology and handcrafting of wood.

“The Boathouse at Sanctuary by WestBank. Horseshoe Bay” Merrick Architecture Fabrication: FraserWood Industries Photo credit: Ema Peter

The Sanctuary project in Horseshoe Bay celebrates the use of heavy timber and glulam. The project is conceived as a village of structures stepping up from the waters of Horseshoe Bay to the cliffs of Tyee Point. Everywhere the project is crowned in wood with timbers to the uppermost levels of the buildings, such that the living space comprises ’Westcoast houses in the sky’. The Boathouse at Sanctuary by WestBank stands out as the show piece of this substantial development. The boathouse location, in proximity to the other buildings, meant that it was only accessible from the water side of the development. Fabricated components, hardware, and equipment were barged to site. Bents were assembled on the barge prior to being lifted into place. Highlighting the Boathouse, the timber fabricator, FraserWood Industries offers the insight and the benefits of collaboration which truly extends the reach of natural timbers

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learn about steel and engineered wood integration with solid timber look cladding
  2. Discover innovative engineering processes, timber drying and finishing, bringing natural wood authenticity in buildings
  3. Learn about the engineering, fabrication, and pre-assembly processes of the bents and connecting beam timbers and the hardware connections
  4. Understand the logistics in shipping assemblies and connecting beams by barge to access a challenging location and raising them into place

Speaker Profiles:

Dai (Yoshito) Ona

Dai is the owner and big picture thinker at Daizen Joinery. He works with clients to bring their project visons to life, applying his design and building experience to create final products that are distinct, functional and sustainable. Dai’s experience has been gained through more than two decades working in the building and timber frame industries in Japan, other parts of Asia and Canada. He emigrated to Canada from Japan and started Daizen Joinery in 1990 in Parksville, BC, where he focused his efforts on hand timber building and joinery, and exporting frame products to Japanese markets. Dai relocated his business to the Interior of BC in 2004 where he expanded his company to meet the growing needs of the timber frame industry in North America. Today, his company serves a client base from across Western Canada, the US Pacific Northwest, California, and Hawaii. His commitment to ongoing professional development and speaking opportunities keep Dai open to new, innovative ideas, and collaboration within the timber frame industry

Keith Murray

Keith has been working with FraserWood for more than 15 years. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Wood Science program, Keith spent time working in sawmills in a quality control capacity before finding FraserWood. Enticed by the world of digital fabrication, Keith spent several years managing projects from CAD through production. In 2015, he moved to Sales and Marketing side, helping customers with everything from dry timber sales to fully fabricated packages.

Meike Engel

Meike graduated from the University of Victoria in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. With a passion for architecture, structural design, and sustainability, she joined ASPECT in 2018 as a co-op student, and then joined full time in late 2019 as project engineer.

Her previous experience also includes working in the technical sales department at a CLT and Glulam manufacturing company where she helped create design guides and tools to showcase the many benefits of mass timber in terms of prefabrication, fire and acoustic performance, architectural expression, and environmental impact.

Since starting with ASPECT in 2019, Meike has worked on a variety of projects including mass timber and light wood frame custom homes, public artwork, feature stairs, and construction engineering services for mass timber installers. Meike has a keen interest in sustainable, effective, and expressive designs and is excited to embrace the architectural intent in all her work.

Credits: 1.0 learning hour/ AIBC 1.0 Core LU/ BC Housing 1 CPD, Informal / AIA 1 LU / AAA 1 Structured LU

The Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre building stands out for its commitment for the embodied carbon in our built environment. Its widespread use of wood and its projected low operating energy demand, may make the building carbon negative for a decade or more. Located on treaty lands south of Vancouver, the waterfront site is part of a unique cultural and ecological area, the meeting place of cultures and ecologies. While the TFN Youth Centre incorporates the latest advances in wood construction (including mass timber), its design and finishing are culturally guided. Artwork at the entry and throughout the structure reflect the long history of the Tsawwassen First Nation People. This complex hybrid structure demonstrates the close collaboration between Mackin architects Ltd., Tsawwassen First Nation, Durfeld Log & Timber, and other local suppliers to provide the handcrafted Western Red Cedar Post and beam frame for the project, as well as coordination of the prefabricated steel and mass timber components.

Leading architects, engineers, designers and developers in North America are increasingly seeking high-quality, custom mass timber products to create sustainable, safe and stunning energy-efficient architecture. In this session you will also hear from a local BC based mass timber manufacturer, Kalesnikoff Mass Timber and Lumber on how mass timber is being utilized across North America today. They will share about the various mass timber products and project types they are supplying across North America. From opportunities to incorporate mass timber elements to projects utilizing full scale mass timber structures, you will hear about varies examples of how you could engage with mass timber suppliers and utilize mass timber in your designs.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand the cultural guidance focused on landscapes and building designs of indigenous peoples, and how it is architecturally integrated into a new structure
  2. Discover the collaboration between Architect and the log and timber manufacturers in coordinating the construction of a complex hybrid structure
  3. Discover various examples of how specifiers could engage with mass timber suppliers and utilize mass timber in their designs
  4. Learn about opportunities to incorporate mass timber elements or utilize full scale mass timber structures

Speaker Profiles:

Dr. Nancy Mackin PhD, Architect AIBC, LEED AP

Nancy has a PhD from University of British Columbia in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and First Nations Studies, with a focus on community-based design. The practice of Mackin architects Ltd. has won 3 awards in the past year alone. Nancy has become known for her innovative solutions in locally sourced materials and exceptional cultural and ecological sustainability. She was awarded the Wood Design and Building 2022 “Against the Grain Award” for visionary uses of wood, including mass timber and pole construction. Of Sami descent, her Nisga’a/ Tsimshian name, Hiilagum Hlocks, translates to “Morning Sun”.

Ric Dürfeld, Owner, Dürfeld Log &Timber

For over 40 years, Ric and his company Dürfeld Log & Timber have focused on quality and attention to detail. Each project represents the highest level of value in both the trees used as well as the precise fit and finish, core qualities that the company is known for. DL&T believes in a ‘cultural approach’ to business – respecting and building on the values from the past to help us realize a sustainable future. Ric regards it a privilege to be involved in an industry that combines the two most valuable resources in British Columbia – its people, and its forests.

Mitch Warren, Kalesnikoff Mass Timber

Mitch’s enthusiasm for mass timber grows out of his passion for stewardship. With experience in a variety of industries, he adds a unique perspective and voice to Kalesnikoff’s integrated approach. His roles include oversight of Kalesnikoff’s chain of custody certifications, spearheading mass timber sales, and assisting with management of awarded projects. His diverse involvement throughout the production and project delivery processes make him a valuable resource to the Kalesnikoff team as well as prospective customers.

Credits: 1.5 learning hour/ AIBC 1.5 Core LU/ BC Housing 1.5 CPD, Informal / AIA 1.5 LU / AAA 1.5 Structured LU

Join us by charter bus for a scenic drive from Whistler to Pemberton to tour BC Passive House (BCPH) – a full-service prefabrication company specializing in the design and construction of high-performance panelized building systems, specialized structural panels (including CLT, DLT & NLT), heavy timber packages and a range of hybrid systems. Their recent facility expansion has added an additional 22,000 sq/ft reaching a total facility size of 38,000 sq/ft.

This site tour will provide specifiers an opportunity to see highly automated tools used to facilitate fast and efficient production of buildings. This includes BCPH’s Hundegger K2i CNC machine which is fully linked to the companies in-house drafting software. This machine promotes cutting accuracy and offers new features that speed up both light frame panelization and heavy timber carpentry.

Also featured will be Mass Timber systems which are becoming more common as wood buildings start to increase in height and size. Timber systems being showcased will include: MTP’s – an all-in-one panel incorporating a lateral structure, high thermal resistance and exterior finish. Also included will be examples of Mass Timber / light-frame hybrid construction – a great solution for mid-rise commercial and residential construction that is extremely versatile and can be erected quickly.

Learning Objectives
  1. Learn about critical energy efficiency concepts building from wood, including air tightness, super insulation, low thermal bridging and carbon neutrality
  2. Learn about Mass Timber Panels ( MTP’s) – all in one panels featuring lateral structure, high thermal resistance and exterior finishing
  3. Discover Mass Timber/light-frame hybrid construction systems for mid-rise commercial and residential construction
  4. See first-hand in a manufacturing plant, the latest in highly automated tools used to facilitate fast and efficient production of buildings

Speaker Profiles

BC Passive House is Canada’s first manufacturing plant designed to pre-fabricate panel system that guarantee high standards for energy efficiency including the new BCBC step code and the rigorous Passive House Standard. Discover how building from wood is the best way for achieving critical energy efficiency concepts including good air-tightness, super insulation, low thermal bridging and carbon neutrality.

Matheo Dürfeld / CEO

Matheo Durfeld started in construction when he found Durfeld Log Construction in 1975. Based on time test European log and timber practices, Durfeld encouraged his team to constantly use better building techniques and learn new skills. This forward-looking approach gave the Durfeld team a reputation for high quality and innovative building.

Durfeld was first exposed to the Passive House concept when his company, now Durfeld Constructors, was awarded the contract to build Austria Haus for the 2010 Olympics. Through Austria Haus Durfeld learned about Passive House and the role prefabrication played in achieving the standard. Soon after construction completed, Matheo Durfeld formed BC Passive House seeing that high-performance buildings were the future and prefab was the way of getting there.

Kyle Moen / GM

Kyle has worked for BC Passive House since it’s inception in 2013. Over that time, he has overseen construction for several registered Passive Houses and step code low energy homes using the company’s high performance panel systems. Kyle’s work mainly focuses on project development and execution, labour and materials budgeting and procurement, and R&D through the application of informed building science. He was educated at BCIT (Dip. Architecture and Building Engineering Technology, 2010) and the University of Victoria (B.A. Economics, 2007)

Attend at least 6 Seminars for 2.0 Learning Hours / AIBC 2.0 Core LUs/ AIA 2.0 LUs/ BC Housing 2 CPD, Informal/ AAA 2 Structured LUs

Activity summary:

The future of the building industry is wood. Building Codes and High-Performance Standards in the US and Canada are quickly adapting to encourage more use of wood innovation in structural and architectural design. Discover the latest design and construction opportunities of wood products and high-performance prefabricated wood building systems – including the latest Mass Timber, Timber Frame, Engineered Wood, and Re-Manufactured Wood technologies. Wood can offer performance and thermal benefits, adding to energy efficiency and occupant comfort, while at the same time offering aesthetic warmth and a visual selling feature. Also, wood has the benefit of storing the carbon dioxide trees absorb during their growth, keeping it out of the atmosphere indefinitely.

BC Wood is a not-for-profit trade association that has represented British Columbia’s value-added wood products industry for 30 years. It is an industry-led association with a membership base of 120+ wood products manufacturers, representing value-added sectors in every region of the province. In this course, BC Wood is pleased to offer architects and specifiers a series of 4 – 30 minute seminars, each given by teams of experts in their respective fields, showcasing the newest innovations and trends in architectural and structural wood products and systems.

Learning objectives:

  1. Understand the architectural applications of solid and engineered wood products, and its aesthetic and health benefits in comparison with other building materials.
  2. Learn about the various wood species in British Columbia, including their construction applications, their timber drying procedures, and their finishing and durability performances.
  3. Discover the design and construction opportunities of high performance prefabricated wood building systems – including the latest Mass Timber technology, Timber Frame technology and Modular technology.
  4. Learn about British Columbia’s commitment to forest sustainability and the next generation of wood products being processed and trending in the building industry.

Presenters: