UNBC Wood Innovation Research Lab

Prince George, BC

The Wood Innovation Research Laboratory (WIRL) is one of the few facilities in British Columbia that allows for complex research and testing of structural wood products, connections, and assemblies. Owned and operated by UNBC, the facility includes research and teaching space across two levels. At the time it was completed, the building became the first certified Passive House institutional building in Canada. The facility provides students, faculty members, and researchers from UNBC’s Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program with the ability to build and test large-scale wood structures.

The building is comprised of a glulam post and beam superstructure over an insulated raft foundation, and features an integrated strong wall and strong floor to enable destructive structural testing. Some of the same innovative wood building products and systems that students will learn about, were used to construct the facility. ASPECT was engaged by Stantec Architecture as part of the design team. In addition to our role as Engineer of Record, we also provided Mass Timber Specialty Engineering, including connection design.

Photos courtesy of naturally:wood.

ArchitectStantecStatusCompleted (2018)