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The Wood Innovation Group
Welcome to the TWIG Newsletter! We're working to help shape the future of the value-added wood products industry. Our events and programming provide a dynamic platform for professionals to connect, learn, and share innovative ideas. Our newsletter is dedicated to those interested in using creativity and design to transform wood into finished products while blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
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Your voice matters. If you have events, projects, or ideas to share, reach out to us at info@twigbca.ca
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Wood-First-Wednesday
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Brewhall, 97 E 2nd Ave,, Vancouver
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The Vancouver group meets again for its regular gathering at a local craft brewery More Info+
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Timber Tech Connect - Vienna House
Concept Lab, 300 – 397 W 7th Ave, Vancouver
$20 | Food + Drink
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Wood Basics Workshop
January 31, 12:00 - 1:00
$10 | Online
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Join us for our first online Shape workshop covering the basics of wood and wood processing Registration+
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Happy New Year!
We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season surrounded by family, friends, and cherished traditions. As we turn the page to a new year, TWIG has been busy building connections with organizations that form BC’s support ecosystem for Value-Added industries. Over the past months, we’ve been exploring opportunities for collaboration—combining resources, sharing knowledge, and aligning efforts to amplify our collective impact.
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Some of these organizations may already be familiar to you, while others might be new discoveries. To shed light on their work, we’ve included a list below with descriptions of the services and programs they provide. We hope this inspires new connections and ideas for the year ahead!
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With forest-felt regards,
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Patrick Christie and The TWIG team
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- The Centre for Advanced Wood Processing - CAWP is Canada’s national centre for education, training and technical assistance for the wood products manufacturing industry. CAWP offers a wide range of training courses, professional e-learning programs, in-plant training, product development, and manufacturing improvement services.
- BC Wood - A not-for-profit trade association representing British Columbia’s value-added wood products industry. BC Wood supports product manufacturers with marketing programs, trade missions, networking opportunities, and resource access.
- Naturally:wood - A comprehensive resource promoting British Columbia as a global supplier of high-quality, environmentally responsible forest products from sustainably managed forests. It keeps the pulse on all things wood in B.C., from timber technology and design to the science of forests and climate change.
- Office of Mass Timber Implementation - OMTI is a government-led initiative in British Columbia dedicated to advancing the province’s mass timber sector through the Mass Timber Action Plan. A key program under OMTI, the Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP), provides funding to support the design and construction of innovative mass timber buildings, driving sustainable practices and showcasing B.C.’s leadership in the industry.
- Forestry Innovation Investment - Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), British Columbia’s Crown agency, strengthens the province’s forest sector by promoting the merits of wood and BC forests, fostering leadership and innovation in wood use, and diversifying markets for BC forest products. Through initiatives like the Wood First Program, FII advances wood use and innovative wood construction technologies, positioning BC as a leader in sustainable and climate-friendly building practices.
- First Nations Forestry Council - FNFC is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and providing services to First Nations individuals, businesses, and governments to enhance their participation and leadership within British Columbia’s forest sector. As a key partner in the Value-Added Accelerator Program, FNFC works to promote business-to-business partnerships and increase First Nations involvement in the value-added wood manufacturing sector, fostering growth and innovation in the industry.
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From Global Histories to Local Futures
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In our series exploring the intersection of innovation and culture in BC’s value-added wood sector, we have examined how historical practices have shaped the region. In this third installment, we look outward, exploring global events and industrial revolutions that transformed forestry practices and reshaped economies. From Europe’s depleted forests to the global role Canadian timber played in industrial growth, these histories reveal both lessons and opportunities. By reflecting on these transformative periods, we aim to uncover how BC can transition from a legacy mindset rooted in the Industrial Revolution to a more innovative and interconnected wood products sector.
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For centuries, European countries relied heavily on their forests to fuel agricultural expansion, industrialization, and war efforts, depleting much of the continent’s original forests. From farming in the Neolithic era to shipbuilding during the medieval period and factories and railways during the Industrial Revolution, forests were central to Europe’s economic growth. By the 20th century, the two World Wars accelerated logging for military and rebuilding needs, driving Europe to seek timber abroad, with BC becoming a key supplier.
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Today, European countries like Germany and Sweden exemplify modern forestry practices, having learned from the consequences of overexploitation. These nations have transitioned to regenerative forestry models, treating forests as renewable resources while prioritizing high-value wood products. Their industries work closely with design and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that harvested timber is maximized for economic and cultural impact.
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Canadian timber played a vital role in fueling industrial revolutions abroad, yet Canada itself never experienced a comparable transformation. BC’s forestry industry was established primarily to meet European consumption needs, adopting imported tools and methods to process materials rather than fostering local innovation or developing wood products tailored to BC’s forests. In Europe, post-war advancements in manufacturing technology helped rebuild economies and spurred a culture of design innovation, integrating forestry with local industries to create globally influential products.
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In contrast, BC remained focused on commodity-based wood products, relying on its high-quality timber for export rather than leveraging advancements to create innovative, locally developed wood products. This approach carried forward the ethos of the Industrial Revolution, where progress was measured by operational efficiency, cost reduction, and resource extraction at scale. While these priorities delivered economic growth in the short term, they also entrenched a mindset prioritizing optimization over transformation. This legacy has shaped the province’s forestry practices, leaving gaps in value-added innovation, design integration, and cultural connection to wood products.
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Today, BC has a chance to break this cycle as industries like mass timber and prefabrication gain momentum and sustainability becomes a driving force. By fostering collaboration with First Nations and creative professionals, BC could not only diversify jobs across the wood value chain but also create products that reflect the province’s cultural and environmental values. Progress will require more than efficiency; it demands a reimagining of how design, innovation, and culture intersect to shape the future of wood in BC.
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For BC, the path forward must balance economic resilience with a renewed cultural vision. Beyond embracing value-added innovation, we must ask: how can our forestry sector better reflect the communities, landscapes, and cultures that define this province?
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If we imagine an industrial revolution for BC today, could it look entirely different—not defined by technological advancements alone but by cultural and social transformation? Could it be a cultural revolution in wood—one that redefines our relationship to forests, elevates design and craftsmanship, and fosters deeper connections between people and place?
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Project Presentation - Vienna House
January 28th, 5:30 - 7:30
Vancouver Concept Lab, 300 – 397 W 7th Ave.
$20 | Food + Drinks
Register +
Kicking off our Timber Tech Connect series for 2025, we continue focusing on projects supported through BC's Mass Timber Demonstration Program. The Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP) provides funding for incremental costs in the design and construction of buildings that demonstrate emerging or new mass timber or mass timber hybrid building systems and construction processes.
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Vienna House, a seven-story, 123-unit affordable housing project in East Vancouver, combines advanced design and construction techniques to address climate and housing challenges. The project integrates Passive House principles for near-zero emissions and exceptional energy efficiency by utilizing prefabricated, off-site manufacturing. Innovative mechanical systems ensure resident comfort by mitigating noise from nearby transit and regulating indoor climate extremes. Designed as a potential template for future developments, Vienna House highlights the use of engineered wood, collaborative problem-solving, and sustainable practices to set a new benchmark in affordable housing.
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The project incorporates a hybrid structural system, combining cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels with cold-formed steel (CFS) elements alongside prefabricated exterior and interior wall systems. This approach minimizes construction waste, reduces build time, and ensures precision placement, resulting in a streamlined construction process. The project also showcases the ingenuity of BC-based manufacturers, utilizing locally sourced engineered wood products to achieve sustainability goals and reinforce the province’s push towards prefabricated construction and mass timber innovation. Together, these innovations position Vienna House as a replicable model for sustainable, high-performance urban housing.
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*** Events and details about Timber Tech Connect can be found online at twigbc.ca/ttc/
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Full workshop schedule launching soon!
We have been cooking up an exciting series of online lunchtime workshops to expand your knowledge of the value-added industry and support your professional development.
The Shape Workshop series offers micro-learning units that break down various aspects of the value-added wood industry into concise, knowledge-building sessions. Each workshop spotlights topics, case studies, and businesses that exemplify core innovations, ideologies, and processes in adding value to wood. Designed to fill knowledge gaps and inspire creative thinking, these workshops provide insights for workers in the wood industry and encourage a “think outside the box” approach to wood products. We aim to make the information accessible by defining industry-specific terminology and simplifying complex topics into easy-to-digest knowledge bites.
The workshops will cover various topics designed to reflect the priorities of B.C.’s value-added wood sector. These include sustainable building systems, advanced manufacturing and assembly methods, the integration of computational design, resource optimization through circular economy practices, and the development of high-value wood products. The workshops aim to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools that contribute to the sector’s long-term growth and success by focusing on innovation and collaboration across the value chain.
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Workshop #1 - Wood Basics
Whether you’re new to the wood industry or simply curious about the material, Wood Basics is the ideal workshop for those without a formal background in wood science or hands-on experience. This engaging session offers a high-level overview of wood anatomy, science, and a tree's journey to becoming processed into a finished product.
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The workshop approaches wood from a product development perspective, delving into species, grading, and woodcuts to reveal what makes each piece unique. You’ll gain insights into the processes that transform raw logs into workable lumber, followed by an exploration of tools for component manufacturing, laminating, and joinery. Alongside these technical aspects, Patrick will share fascinating facts and unique insights he’s gathered over the years, offering a fresh perspective on trees and wood.
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- Interactive Learning: The first half of the workshop is a visual presentation filled with diagrams and images to make complex concepts easy to understand.
- Q&A and Discussion: The second half is an open forum for attendees to ask questions and explore specific topics related to their field or personal curiosities.
- On-Demand Access: Can’t attend live? The session will be recorded and available through a private link for later viewing.
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DFMA Workshop 3
Only a few spots left!
*10% off for TWIG subscribers. Use the code CAWPTWIG
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Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is a design approach that focuses on ease of manufacture and assembly efficiency. In North America, due to the fragmented nature of construction whereby the designers, engineers, manufacturers, and contractors all work independently, the bridging of the knowledge gap will help improve the success rate of projects. DfMA will improve projects by reducing time, waste, cost and labour, while increasing quality and efficiency.
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This 3-day hands-on workshop will be a lecture/design/build format. It will be led by UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) faculty and staff. The expertise from industry leaders in design, engineering, fabrication, and installation will also be called upon to discuss lessons learned in mass timber construction. Participants will be guided through the process of designing mass-timber projects while considering manufacturing technologies.
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The use of digital technology in design and manufacturing are aiding the realization of mass-timber projects. The participants will be supported through a design-build exercise utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software for manufacturing of components. The project will culminate with the fabrication of components and the assembly of a mass-timber structure.
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For more information please contact Jason at 604 822-0082 or by email at jason.chiu@ubc.ca
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Are you looking to hire someone? Do you have a new position opening up at your company? Let us know, and we can make a posting here to share it with our readers.
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Expanding regional networks
We are seeking leaders and community builders to expand TWIG's regional networks in the communities where they live. We operate in Squamish, Victoria and Vancouver and are looking for new places to expand our networks. We would love to see new networks grow in Northern BC, the interior, the Sunshine Coast and anywhere else in BC. We really believe in these networks and their ability to impact communities and help develop innovation within regions.
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If this resonates with you and you are passionate about creating community, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@twigbc.ca, and we can schedule a call to explore what might be possible.
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Got an idea? Need some Testing?
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Do you have a concept, product, or prototype that you want to realize? TWIG can work with you to make this happen with financial support through The Wood First Program. Carried out through the Center for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and its team of technical staff, we are able to provide an array of support on various wood-based projects.
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