b'MASS TIMBERA SUSTAINABLE APPROACHH I G H L I G H T I N G M A S ST I M B E R C O N S T R U C T I O N I N B . C . BY MATTHEW BRADFORDritish Columbia is buildingYLW is planning to break ground onDevelopment at YLW, the team was B a reputation for mass timberPhase 1 of the expansion in 2023, andimpressed by past mass timber projects construction. Mass timberhave been working with OMB Architectsand the materials proven ability to projects of varying scope and purposeand structural engineers Fast + Epp.reduce carbon, enhance aesthetics and are coming out of the ground across theInitial works include the developmentaccelerate construction via off-site province, bringing new data and insightsof a two-storey prefabricated massfabricationthe latter of which was to inform future builds. Ahead are twotimber and steel structure. The projectparticularly appealing given the airports such projects leading the way. features mass timber clear spans of closebusy operations. to 20m and cantilevers of 5m, as well as a 4,500-square-metre waffle-slabThere are many reasons we went with READY FOR TAKEOFF roof comprised of glulam girders andmass timber, says Ritchie. The look The Kelowna International Airportprefabricated CLT (cross-laminatedand feel of mass timber worked really (YLW) is en route to becoming atimber) panels. Once complete, thewell for us since we want the expansion showpiece for mass timber construction.$67-million expansion will nearly doubleto reflect the Okanagan region. As well, the size of the airport. using fundamental components that can The transportation hub is preparing for abe prefabricated and brought to site ready multi-phase expansion and upgrade thatYLW was inspired to work with massto assemble allows for a reduction in will prominently feature the materialtimber by several factors. According toconstruction time and waste, and supports both inside and out.Geoff Ritchie, Senior Manager of Airporta sustainable approach to construction.50 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'