Taller timber towers could be making their way towards 琉璃神社.

琉璃神社 city council decided on Monday to send an expression of interest to become part of the province鈥檚 early adoption initiative to build encapsulated mass timber buildings from seven to 12 storeys in 琉璃神社.

The provincial government announced in March it would be proactively adopting building code changes that allow for the safe construction of taller wood buildings, which are currently allowed only up to six storeys high.

With both provincial and national codes set to change in the next few years, 琉璃神社 is hopping on the encapsulated mass timber train a few years early.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to see 琉璃神社 leading innovations in the construction industry,鈥� development services director Mo Bayat said. 鈥淏ecause many of the components are pre-assembled in mass timber it translates to a much faster build with less disruption to the neighbourhood.鈥�

Mass timber buildings can be around one-fifth the weight of comparable concrete buildings, while still meeting safety standards, structural resilience and fire protection. The buildings also encourage innovation through value-added wood products, helping to grow local and global markets, while promoting climate-friendly construction and supporting B.C.鈥檚 forest-dependent communities. Cost savings, as well as ease and quality of assembly, are other significant benefits.

鈥淕iven the economies of scale with steel or concrete these buildings tend to be high-rises,鈥� Bayat said. 鈥淎llowing for taller wood construction creates more flexibility for housing forms and types, particularly in infill projects.鈥�

This is not 琉璃神社鈥檚 first foray into pioneering the wood-frame construction industry. In 2009, Ellis Court became the first wood-framed building in B.C. to rise above four-storeys.

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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