$25.1 million Wood Innovation and Design Centre showcases industry as tallest North American contemporary wood structure Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature British Columbia's new $25.1 million Wood Innovation and Design Centre in Prince George will celebrate wood's beauty, showcasing its potential and ap- peal. It will reach six stories (or 90 ft.), making it the tallest North American con- temporary wood structure. The building has been designed to use the maximum amount of wood pos- sible, including a cedar exterior. One hundred per cent of the primary struc- ture, above the foundation, will be com- prised of wood. Locally sourced douglas fir, cedar, pine and spruce will be used in the engineered wood products including glulam columns and beams, cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber, all manufactured in British Columbia. The design is also intended to purposely show the in- novative structural design, and not cover it up, allowing people to see the wood structure and unique floor slab system as the actual finish. The underside of the cross- laminated timber floor slab system will be exposed wher- ever possible with the mechanical and electrical infrastructure concealed in the innovative staggered chases within the floor slab. Houle Electric has been responsible for the complex electrical work required, including data, mechanical con- trols and security. Prince George branch manager, Greg Mcleod said the company has had about 24 crew mem- bers from his branch on site working on various aspects of the project. “Timelines are always a challenge and in this case, dif- ferent dampening techniques and encasing procedures are required because of the way wood carries sound. Right now we’re working hard to have the building ready for its opening in mid-July.” He says though his company has experience with challenging projects, as the tallest and first of its kind in North America, this project has been unique. “There are restrictions working with all wood like this because the transformers give off heat,” he said. “Where drywall gives a fire rating, wood doesn’t so we’ve had to adjust layouts and ensure 1 ft. clearance compared with the usual 6 in. to allow for this.” The new provincial government building has been funded in part by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. It will house demonstration spaces to showcase innovative wood products. The building will also include University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)'s aca- Exterior rendering provided by MGA (Michael Green Architecture) demic and research programs including advanced build- ing systems, engineered wood products and interior wood design. MGA (Michael Green Architecture) designed the build- ing to achieve LEED Gold certification. PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. is the builder. Proudly Celebrating our 70th year The Industry Leader Through Customer Choice Project Spotlight The Wood Innovation & Design Centre Exterior Rendering - Credit: MGA Corporate Head Office/Lower Mainland Prince George 604.434.2681 250.562.2009 www.houle.ca Vancouver | Victoria | Nanaimo | Kelowna | Kamloops | Prince George | Kitimat The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2014 – 25