Mass Timber Market Updates - May 2024 - Week Twentytwo

Discover the cutting-edge advancements in mass timber that are reshaping the construction landscape. This episode promises an exclusive conversation with Chris Evans from Timberlab, where he shares the latest breakthroughs and collaborative efforts with American Laminators on the U.S. west coast. Plus, get the inside scoop on the global educational projects making waves in Vancouver and Toronto, narrated by Acton Austria Architect’s Mila Spagovic at the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada's annual conference.

Stay informed on the legislative tussle around the Mass Timber Federal Building Act S-4149 and its clash with steel industry giants. We also highlight Toronto's ambitious proposal for the world's tallest mass timber building and celebrate innovative designs from the Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards in Australia. Lastly, don't miss out on updates about Klasnikov's expanding footprint in Kastogla. Hit subscribe to keep up with all these groundbreaking developments and more in the dynamic world of mass timber construction!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Ladies and gentlemen, we are live. This is the moment you all have been waiting for. It's time for the global sensation, the one, the only, the undisputed heavyweight podcast in the world the Mass Timber Construction Podcast. And now here's Paul Kramer, your host. Good morning, good afternoon or good evening wherever you are in the world today. Welcome to the Mass Timber Construction Podcast. My name's Paul Kramer, your host.

Speaker 1: 0:57

Welcome to another weekly updater, and it is heading towards the middle of the year 2024, heading into episode 22. Cannot believe the time has flown. Coming up very soon is Chris Evans from Timberlab, who will be talking about the announcement that we made last week around American Laminators and what Timberlab's doing to progress in the mass timber space on the west coast of the US. So listen in for that. Don't forget to hit subscribe and never miss an episode. And let's have a look at what's making news around the world this week in mass timber construction. Land and mass timber is making strides in the educational space with two new projects in vancouver and toronto. An acton austria architect's principal architect, mila Spagovic, presented at the here to Stay Education Projects in Mass Timber session during the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada's annual conference held in Vancouver. The presentation highlighted the innovative wood-based construction at both the Little Flower Academy, a Catholic girls' school in Vancouver, and the Limberhost' school in Vancouver, and the Limberhost Place project in Toronto, the 10-story building on the George Brown College campus. If you'd like to read more about that, head to our LinkedIn feed.

Speaker 1: 2:16

Us now and a joint letter to Congress. The Chicago-based American Institute of Steel Construction has joined with the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Steel Manufacturers Association, based in Washington, in outlining their firm opposition to the proposed Mass Timber Federal Building Act S-4149 and are urging members of Congress to reject the bill, saying it is anti-competitive. The bill was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and James Risch of Idaho on the 17th of April and is designed to promote the use of mass timber in federal building projects and military construction. In a news release announcing the proposed legislation notes that the mass timber industry is important to Idaho, oregon and the Pacific Northwest economy and the environment, and builds upon the opportunity presented by mass timber. If you'd like to read more on that story, head to our LinkedIn feed.

Speaker 1: 3:18

Canada Now and the Toronto City Council considered and put a stamp of approval on a handful of development proposals last week, and among them was one that was poised to be the tallest mass timber building, not only in Canada but in the world. Council considered the proposal and adopted to defer it to a later date. However, it has been recommended for approval by the Toronto and East York planning staff. The proposal, which first hit the city's desk back in July 2022, comes from Unix Housing Group and Icon Architects and seeks to bring a 31-storey mixed-use building to 91, 93, 95, 97 and 99 College Street, 74 and 76 Henry Street. One of the more notable aspects of what's been proposed is the sizeable affordable housing component. 490 rental units have been proposed and a total of 80% of those would be maintained as affordable housing over the next 40 years. Details are on our Mass Timber Construction Journal LinkedIn feed and you can even see some conceptual sketches from the several projects that have been posted on the post.

Speaker 1: 4:32

To Australia now and the Sunshine Coast Regional Architecture Awards were held in May, celebrating the creativity and innovation of architects across a multitude of new residential projects of architects across a multitude of new residential projects selected by the Australian Institute of Architects Awards jury. The winning designs span coastal, riverfront and countryside locations. The designs were revered by the jury for adapting to challenges and enhancing and harnessing new development building technologies. Kelly Martin Architecture received a regional commendation for its design of the Doohan House. The jury commended the house was an in-the-hinterland home, bringing the family together in spaces that neither too big nor too small, suitably intimate and thoughtful through detail and day-to-day interaction. The Beachside Welcomer by Tim Ditchfield Architects and won the regional project using its amazing integration of natural materials, including timber. If you'd like to see this award-winning project, head to our LinkedIn feed.

Speaker 1: 5:40

And the big news is that Klasnikov's mass timber expansion project is moving forward as the company continues to progress by securing land in the city of Kastogla. The new facility will be on 7.5 hectare portion of the highway near the regional airport lands, and they appreciate the city's support, efficiency and collaboration when they considered and finalized this location and the notice of disposition by the city that the property will be subject to three-year lease and purchase agreement with monthly base rental, and the money is received from that purchase will flow into the city's land reserves fund. If you'd like to see these conceptual drawings on what the new Klasnikov office will look like and warehouse will look like, head to our Mass Timber Journal LinkedIn feed. That's it, folks.

Speaker 1: 6:29

That's all we've got time for this week in Mass Timber Construction Land news updaters. I hope you have an amazing week looking forward. Don't forget the special guest episodes. We are over 200 updaters and episodes in total now. It's plenty for you to consume as you take your trips around the world on planes, trains and automobiles. This is paul kramer saying good morning, good afternoon or good evening wherever you are, and signing off on the mastim construction podcast podcast. Bye.