b'COVER STORYcontribute significantly to the projects Passive House designation,MASS TIMBER DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMwhich Vergin-Burk says was central to the teams vision from day one: We chose Passive House certification after reviewing optionsThe Confluence is receiving financial support from B.C.s to create a building that would meet or exceed provincial goals forMass Timber Demonstration Program. Launched in reduced emissions by 2030. Doing so will reduce our emissionsspring 2021 through Forestry Innovation Investment, by 85 per cent, equating to a drastic reduction in operational coststhe program aims to accelerate the use of mass timber and a healthy environment for workers and users of the space. throughout the province by supporting mass timber projects and encouraging their stakeholders to share their This was incredibly important for us to be a lead and an exampleresults and lessons learned.in the creation of a reduced-emission, sustainable public buildingThe long-term goals are to expand the use of mass timber and healthy work environment, she adds. in B.C., to overcome barriers to the development of mass timber expertise and construction, and to lock in B.C.s COMING TOGETHER global leadership in advanced wood products, technologies Its fitting that the team behind The Confluence is movingand services, says the programs website.forward in tight collaboration. This will be especially vital, saysMore info about the program can be foundArmstrong, when it comes time to put shovels in the ground:at masstimberbc.ca.With mass timber, it is critical that the project has a team of consultants that can work together to carefully plan every aspect of the building since there is no ability to change things on site the way there is with stud-frame buildings. When complete, The Confluence is on track to become one of Canadas first institutional buildings to combine the technologies To that end, Armstrong says its important to work with aof mass timber construction and Passive House energy efficiency.supportive and active producer. Kalesnikoff Lumber [is] a local company with a long history in the industry that has developedFirst, however, it needs to be built. To date, the site has been a strong internal support team to provide engineering, shopcleared of the original building and prepped for construction. At drawings and detailing, he adds. time of writing, a tender for a general contractor was listed on the provincial BC Bid marketplace, with a goal to break ground in Another consideration, he notes, is that mineral wool insulation isthe spring of 2023.all outboard of the mass timber panels, creating a wall system that is 550 mm thick. That means we need to pay careful attention toLooking ahead, Vergin-Burk says, The Confluence of Tourism detail to keep the insulation vertical and tight to the panels duringand Economic Development will be a landmark new building the construction process, he explains. Similarly, careful detailingbased in the Castlegar and District region of the Provinceis required to maintain the continuity of the airtight membranesof British Columbia that presents tremendousthat are critical to Passive House certification. [architectural] innovation. It is our mission to designinnovative environments thatfoster growth, sustainability, accessibility, health, wellness and contribute to healthy and thriving communities.Vernon, BC 250-542-1199 info@mqn.cawww.mqn.ca26 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'