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The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is addressing the critical need for student housing with its innovative Tall Timber Student Housing project. This 12-story mass timber structure will provide 469 student beds & 2 beds in the resident manager's suite, doubling the institute's current housing capacity. Designed to meet the highest level of the BC Energy Step Code program and target LEED Gold certification, the project is committed to sustainability, affordability, and cutting-edge construction techniques.
“This is an exciting development for BCIT. It will provide a much-needed expansion of our student housing, the largest in the history of the Institute, in the first tall mass-timber building in the City of Burnaby. It showcases our approach to new developments on campus which includes building to the highest levels of sustainability and embracing innovation in construction using a hybrid mass timber design. These ideas will both be part of future BCIT projects” - Danica Djurkovic, Associate Vice-President Campus Planning and Facilities at BCIT
Located on BCIT’s Burnaby campus, the Tall Timber Student Housing project is configured as two rectangular wings set at a 90-degree angle, with a below-grade basement for services and storage. The building will offer a mix of studio and single-bedroom suites designed with a modular, stackable floor-to-floor layout. Of the 469 student units, 264 are self-contained studios, and 206 are single-bedroom units with shared kitchens, bathrooms, study spaces, and common areas. This development is part of the Province’s Homes for People action plan, which aims to build 12,000 new student beds on campuses throughout British Columbia to alleviate pressure on local rental markets.
The project distinguishes itself through its mass timber construction, specifically utilizing a CLT point-supported structure with mass timber floors supported by steel HSS columns. Fast + Epp, the structural engineers for the project, proposed this design to meet both sustainability and architectural demands. The use of steel columns and wide-format panels allows the columns to be fully integrated within the demising walls, providing unobstructed unit layouts and reducing steel column lines throughout the building. This approach aligns with the architectural modularity of the layout and envelope system.
One of the key advantages of using CLT panels is the reduction in construction time. The panels are prefabricated and then brought to the site for assembly.
“We see a future in prefabrication, and this was my first opportunity to participate on a project with a significant amount of prefabrication.” - Cole Edwards, Senior Project Manager, Ledcor Construction Limited
Additionally, Fast + Epp proposed a steel concentrically braced frame for the lateral resisting system at the stair and elevator cores to further shorten the construction timetable. This allows the lateral resisting core construction to be completed before the first CLT floor is installed, minimizing trade overlap on site.
“I was the senior structural engineer for the project, spearheading structural design for the CLT point-supported system and overall structure. I helped to ensure structural and construction efficiency. I collaborated with architects and builders to integrate structural and architectural design requirements with a mentality for seamless constructability and install.” - Jamie Pobre Sullivan, Associate, Fast + Epp
The BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project is designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The project’s prefabricated mass timber design helps cut the facility’s overall embodied carbon. The building envelope is designed to meet Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, the province’s highest level.
Life cycle assessment modeling, designed in accordance with the CaGBC Zero Carbon Building–Design Standard, v3, has demonstrated significant environmental benefits, calculating the project’s total embodied carbon at 9,430 tCO2e per year. This is markedly lower than typical concrete and steel buildings of similar size and height. The choice of materials further enhances the project’s sustainability. The CLT is made from Hem-Fir, a strong and versatile species group abundant in B.C. that is currently underutilized.
Beyond providing housing, the project is designed to exhibit Indigenous culture within the community. The ground floor will include community spaces for Indigenous learners and community members, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. This aligns with BCIT’s commitment to training the next generation of building professionals through its trades training facility.
“My favorite aspect of the project was witnessing the execution of the steel tower and mass timber installation. We spent months, as a team, planning out details and sequencing to ensure efficient use of the crane and on-site labor. When it came time for installation of this portion of the building, the plans were executed accordingly, making all the planning worthwhile.” - Jamie Pobre Sullivan, Associate, Fast + Epp
“The collaborative team spirit has stood out to me the most for this project. Not only was the onus on the structural and engineer to execute this project, but equally it was the general contractor, the main trade suppliers, such as the steel supplier, mass timber supplier and their installers, and the building service engineers that came together to listen and foster ideas for innovation and project success.” - Jamie Pobre Sullivan, Associate, Fast + Epp
The BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project is more than just a building; it's a model for sustainable, affordable, and innovative construction. By using mass timber construction, incorporating sustainable design principles, and integrating community and cultural spaces, BCIT is setting a new standard for campus development. This project demonstrates the potential of mass timber technology and highlights British Columbia’s expertise in low-carbon construction.
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