Monday, November 3, 2025
1:30 PM – 7:30 PM
BC Hydro Theatre @ CIRS Building – UBC Campus
2260 West Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4.
Industry $45
Students $12
Eligible for 5 AIBC Credits
A mini symposium discussing the state of the art in digital design, engineering and fabrication of timber systems and innovative prefabricated building approaches.
This half-day event will have presenters discussing the innovation happening in the construction industry with regard to timber design, engineering and fabrication and the interconnectedness required to achieve a project. The symposium will discuss what is required to complete these challenging projects in timber. In addition, leaders in the prefabrication industry will discuss challenges for companies entering the timber prefabrication sector with the high risks and upfront investment required. The presenters will discuss strategies companies are adopting. We will start with a discussion of what academia is doing with regard to innovation in timber and educating future leaders in the technology.
| 1:30 – 1:45 PM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| Keynote | |
| 1:45 – 2:30 PM | Russell Loveridge — NCCR Digital Fabrication, ETH Zürich |
| Lecture | |
| 2:30 – 3:00 PM | Sheryl Boyle — CSALT, Carleton University |
| 3:00 – 3:30 PM | AnnaLisa Meyboom — SALA, UBC |
| 3:30 – 3:50 PM | Break |
| Panel 1: Challenging the Limits of Wood | |
| 3:50 – 5:20 | John Paktau — Patkau Architects Geoff Watts — Spearhead Robert Jackson — Fast & Epp |
| 5:20 – 5:40 | Break |
| Panel 2: Prefab in a Competitive Environment | |
| 5:40 – 7:15 | Oliver David Krieg —Intelligent City Natalie Telewiak — MGA Michael Łęckie — Leckie Studio |
| 7:15 – 7:30 | Closing Remarks & Wrap-up |
Russell Loveridge – NCCR Digital Fabrication
Russell Loveridge is the Managing Director of the NCCR Digital Fabrication.He studied civil engineering and architecture, completed his professional bachelors degree in Toronto, Canada, his MAS Diploma in Architecture at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and obtained his doctorate at the EPF Lausanne, Switzerland. He has worked professionally in construction and architecture, but also has extensive experience in academia and was previously the Research Director at the Laboratory for Architectural Production (LAPA) at the EPF Lausanne. Russell Loveridge is the NCCR Digital Fabrication’s Managing Director since its official start in 2014.
Dr. Sheryl Boyle – Carleton University
Dr. Sheryl Boyle is the director of the CSALT materials research lab at Carleton. She supervises immersive materials research and innovative design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) processes, including work in building components for prefabrication, biogenic materials, craft knowledge, and construction systems that contribute to a circular economy. Her work brings processes of design together with materiality alongside both digital and manual fabrication in the sensory and experimental realm of research creation.
AnnaLisa Meyboom – University of British Columbia (UBC)
AnnaLisa Meyboom is both a registered architect and engineer and teaches both architecture and engineering at the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Her research focuses on the intersection of design, technology, and the environment, particularly in the areas of design of lightweight wood structures using advanced architectural parametric design processes and robotic fabrication of wood.
John Patkau – Patkau Architects
John Patkau founded Patkau Architects with Patricia in 1978. He is licensed in a number of jurisdictions in both Canada and the United States. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Manitoba. He is a Fellow of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, a recipient of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, and a Member of the Order of Canada.
Geoff Watts – Spearhead
As an organization, we strive to balance career and lifestyle — we’re incredibly fortunate to practice our craft at an exceptional level while living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Spearhead is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The unique experiences, talents, and perspectives of our employees drive our success and contribute to both our culture and reputation. We believe that embracing diversity and inclusion is essential to attracting, developing, and retaining a talented workforce. By prioritizing these principles, we enhance innovation, improve problem-solving, and strengthen company performance. Our commitment to diversity ensures that every individual’s contributions are valued, empowering us to achieve sustainable success and continued growth.
Robert Jackson – Fast & Epp
Robert Jackson is a structural engineer in our Vancouver office and offers a unique skill set due to his hands-on experience as a carpenter and fine woodworker. He is a designer with expertise in timber, steel, and concrete in both Canada and the US.
Over his career, Robert has developed a particular specialization in mass timber design, having contributed to the success of many of our innovative timber projects across North America including the TallWood House at Brock Commons, Limberlost Place, The Hive, and the PNE Amphitheater. He is a contributing author on several articles, papers, and journal publications relating to timber research and development and is passionate about sharing our lessons learned.
In 2016, Robert received two prestigious awards from the United Kingdom’s Institution of Structural Engineers, including The Young Structural Engineering Professional Award, which is an international recognition of achievement in structural engineering and showcases engineers under 30 who are driving the profession forward. More recently, in 2023, Robert was awarded The SEABC Young Member Meritorious Achievement Award recognizing his contributions to the profession.
In 2023, Robert Jackson became a Partner at Fast + Epp alongside Tobias Fast and Paul Fast and is an integral part of our leadership team as the firm enters its second generation.
Oliver David Krieg – Intelligent City
Oliver David (OD) Krieg is an expert in parametric design and robotic manufacturing in the AEC industry. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Intelligent City in Vancouver, Canada, he is leading the development of their mass timber technology platform for high-rise construction, combining building systems, manufacturing, and software development. This is part of the company’s effort to provide urban housing as a sustainable, affordable, and livable product solution. This work is characterized by a highly integrative approach towards engineering, design, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Natalie Telewiak- MGA
With an education in both architecture and engineering, Natalie’s approach to design is rooted in material logic, collaboration, and connection. As a Principal at MGA since 2018, she leads and inspires her team to deliver elegant solutions that marry structure, systems, manufacturing, and architecture. Natalie focuses on the potential for design to foster community, enhance health and well-being, and connect us back to nature by creating projects that are meaningful, innovative, and more sustainable.
Michael Leckie- Leckie Studio
Michael Leckie is an architect and entrepreneur working to evolve the traditional boundaries of architectural practice as a catalyst for cultural change. Leckie Studio was founded as a multidisciplinary platform to craft singular, thought-provoking, and imaginative architectural work. Operating with a methodology that is rooted in architecture, the studio’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally across a range of scales and media including interior architecture, art installations, product design. In 2022 Leckie Studio was honoured with inclusion on Architectural Record’s Design Vanguard list – the award program recognizes 10 leading young firms across the globe who represent the promise of the next generation of architects. Michael is also co-founder of The Backcountry Hut Company. This award-winning company provides component based architectural systems that are pre-fabricated, scalable, and customizable.
Monday, November 3, 2025
1:30 PM – 7:30 PM
BC Hydro Theatre @ CIRS Building – UBC Campus
2260 West Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4.
Industry $45
Students $12
Eligible for 5 AIBC Credits
A mini symposium discussing the state of the art in digital design, engineering and fabrication of timber systems and innovative prefabricated building approaches.
This half-day event will have presenters discussing the innovation happening in the construction industry with regard to timber design, engineering and fabrication and the interconnectedness required to achieve a project. The symposium will discuss what is required to complete these challenging projects in timber. In addition, leaders in the prefabrication industry will discuss challenges for companies entering the timber prefabrication sector with the high risks and upfront investment required. The presenters will discuss strategies companies are adopting. We will start with a discussion of what academia is doing with regard to innovation in timber and educating future leaders in the technology.
| 1:30 – 1:45 PM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| Keynote | |
| 1:45 – 2:30 PM | Russell Loveridge — NCCR Digital Fabrication, ETH Zürich |
| Lecture | |
| 2:30 – 3:00 PM | Sheryl Boyle — CSALT, Carleton University |
| 3:00 – 3:30 PM | AnnaLisa Meyboom — SALA, UBC |
| 3:30 – 3:50 PM | Break |
| Panel 1: Challenging the Limits of Wood | |
| 3:50 – 5:20 | John Paktau — Patkau Architects Geoff Watts — Spearhead Robert Jackson — Fast & Epp |
| 5:20 – 5:40 | Break |
| Panel 2: Prefab in a Competitive Environment | |
| 5:40 – 7:15 | Oliver David Krieg —Intelligent City Natalie Telewiak — MGA Michael Łęckie — Leckie Studio |
| 7:15 – 7:30 | Closing Remarks & Wrap-up |
Russell Loveridge – NCCR Digital Fabrication
Russell Loveridge is the Managing Director of the NCCR Digital Fabrication.He studied civil engineering and architecture, completed his professional bachelors degree in Toronto, Canada, his MAS Diploma in Architecture at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and obtained his doctorate at the EPF Lausanne, Switzerland. He has worked professionally in construction and architecture, but also has extensive experience in academia and was previously the Research Director at the Laboratory for Architectural Production (LAPA) at the EPF Lausanne. Russell Loveridge is the NCCR Digital Fabrication’s Managing Director since its official start in 2014.
Dr. Sheryl Boyle – Carleton University
Dr. Sheryl Boyle is the director of the CSALT materials research lab at Carleton. She supervises immersive materials research and innovative design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) processes, including work in building components for prefabrication, biogenic materials, craft knowledge, and construction systems that contribute to a circular economy. Her work brings processes of design together with materiality alongside both digital and manual fabrication in the sensory and experimental realm of research creation.
AnnaLisa Meyboom – University of British Columbia (UBC)
AnnaLisa Meyboom is both a registered architect and engineer and teaches both architecture and engineering at the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Her research focuses on the intersection of design, technology, and the environment, particularly in the areas of design of lightweight wood structures using advanced architectural parametric design processes and robotic fabrication of wood.
John Patkau – Patkau Architects
John Patkau founded Patkau Architects with Patricia in 1978. He is licensed in a number of jurisdictions in both Canada and the United States. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Manitoba. He is a Fellow of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, a recipient of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, and a Member of the Order of Canada.
Geoff Watts – Spearhead
As an organization, we strive to balance career and lifestyle — we’re incredibly fortunate to practice our craft at an exceptional level while living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Spearhead is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The unique experiences, talents, and perspectives of our employees drive our success and contribute to both our culture and reputation. We believe that embracing diversity and inclusion is essential to attracting, developing, and retaining a talented workforce. By prioritizing these principles, we enhance innovation, improve problem-solving, and strengthen company performance. Our commitment to diversity ensures that every individual’s contributions are valued, empowering us to achieve sustainable success and continued growth.
Robert Jackson – Fast & Epp
Robert Jackson is a structural engineer in our Vancouver office and offers a unique skill set due to his hands-on experience as a carpenter and fine woodworker. He is a designer with expertise in timber, steel, and concrete in both Canada and the US.
Over his career, Robert has developed a particular specialization in mass timber design, having contributed to the success of many of our innovative timber projects across North America including the TallWood House at Brock Commons, Limberlost Place, The Hive, and the PNE Amphitheater. He is a contributing author on several articles, papers, and journal publications relating to timber research and development and is passionate about sharing our lessons learned.
In 2016, Robert received two prestigious awards from the United Kingdom’s Institution of Structural Engineers, including The Young Structural Engineering Professional Award, which is an international recognition of achievement in structural engineering and showcases engineers under 30 who are driving the profession forward. More recently, in 2023, Robert was awarded The SEABC Young Member Meritorious Achievement Award recognizing his contributions to the profession.
In 2023, Robert Jackson became a Partner at Fast + Epp alongside Tobias Fast and Paul Fast and is an integral part of our leadership team as the firm enters its second generation.
Oliver David Krieg – Intelligent City
Oliver David (OD) Krieg is an expert in parametric design and robotic manufacturing in the AEC industry. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Intelligent City in Vancouver, Canada, he is leading the development of their mass timber technology platform for high-rise construction, combining building systems, manufacturing, and software development. This is part of the company’s effort to provide urban housing as a sustainable, affordable, and livable product solution. This work is characterized by a highly integrative approach towards engineering, design, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Natalie Telewiak- MGA
With an education in both architecture and engineering, Natalie’s approach to design is rooted in material logic, collaboration, and connection. As a Principal at MGA since 2018, she leads and inspires her team to deliver elegant solutions that marry structure, systems, manufacturing, and architecture. Natalie focuses on the potential for design to foster community, enhance health and well-being, and connect us back to nature by creating projects that are meaningful, innovative, and more sustainable.
Michael Leckie- Leckie Studio
Michael Leckie is an architect and entrepreneur working to evolve the traditional boundaries of architectural practice as a catalyst for cultural change. Leckie Studio was founded as a multidisciplinary platform to craft singular, thought-provoking, and imaginative architectural work. Operating with a methodology that is rooted in architecture, the studio’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally across a range of scales and media including interior architecture, art installations, product design. In 2022 Leckie Studio was honoured with inclusion on Architectural Record’s Design Vanguard list – the award program recognizes 10 leading young firms across the globe who represent the promise of the next generation of architects. Michael is also co-founder of The Backcountry Hut Company. This award-winning company provides component based architectural systems that are pre-fabricated, scalable, and customizable.
Connecting people to inspire innovation in wood since 2012.
TWIG operates on the unceded territories of the Indigenous Peoples who have lived in deep relationship with the lands and forests we now call British Columbia since time immemorial. We recognize and honour the enduring stewardship, knowledge, and cultures of these Nations—whose care over generations shaped the very forests that gave rise to BC’s forestry industry. We also acknowledge the devastating impacts of colonization, including the near-erasure of many old-growth ecosystems and the displacement of Indigenous communities and cultural practices connected to these ancient forests.
As we work to shape the future of BC’s forest products industry, we are committed to pathways that integrate Indigenous perspectives, support cultural resurgence, and foster a renewed relationship to land, materials, and community—one grounded in respect, regeneration, and transformative change.
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