Two new large-scale mass timber projects are going ahead in Toronto this year: a 10-storey purpose-built rental building offering 100 units and a 14-storey tower at the University of Toronto which will be one of the continent’s tallest mass timber and steel hybrid buildings.
- Mass timber is a construction material comprising multiple layers of wood glued or otherwise bonded together, creating solid and durable panels and beams for building.
Big picture: The projects arrive after changes to Ontario’s building code came into effect on Jan. 1 allowing for the construction of mass timber buildings up to 18 storeys tall. It’s part of growing national interest in the material, with B.C. also enacting similar changes to its code.
Why it matters: Prefab parts make building with mass timber less time-intensive and potentially cheaper than concrete or steel. As cities look for ways to quickly construct high-density buildings to meet housing demands, 2025 could be the year mass timber goes mainstream.
- It’s also attractive for environmental reasons. Wood parts produce fewer carbon emissions than concrete and can potentially be reused at the end of a building’s life cycle.
Yes, but: Fears remain about potential vulnerabilities to fire, humidity, and UV exposure, meaning many builders will be hesitant to stray from tried and true concrete and steel.—QH