Vancouver City Council has unanimously approved a motion to allow the construction of encapsulated mass-timber buildings up to 18 storeys for residential, commercial, and various industrial and institutional uses. This decision aligns with similar provincial policies enacted in April 2024, which amended the BC Building Code. Vancouver will now update its own building code accordingly.

This move supports environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions, promoting the forestry sector, creating jobs, and enhancing community vibrancy. Mass-timber buildings, known for their lower emissions compared to concrete and steel, also offer better thermal resistance and energy efficiency. Most passive house projects in Vancouver utilize wood-frame or mass timber for these reasons.

Mass-timber buildings often feature hybrid designs, incorporating concrete bases and cores for additional fire protection and structural stability, as seen in UBC’s Tallwood House. Tallwood House was constructed in 2017 and is currently the tallest mass-timber building in Vancouver with 17 storeys on top of a one-storey concrete podium.

The benefits of mass-timber construction also include quicker build times due to off-site prefabrication and improved fire safety, with dense wood being inherently fire-resistant. Seismic resilience is also better, as the lighter weight of mass timber makes designing for earthquakes more cost-effective.