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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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February 5th, 6:00 - 8:00
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Electric Bicycle, 20 E 4th 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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Sea-2-Sky Wood Network
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February 5th, 6:00 - 8:00
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Squamish Men's Shed, 38201 3 Ave Unit 21, Squamish
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The Squamish group is hosted this month by a community-based woodworking group More Info+
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Advancing Wood Structures
February 13th, 12:00 - 1:00
$10 | Online
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Hosted by Brandon Sullivant from Concept Lab focused on structural innovation and product development in Mass Timber.
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Decentralized Manufacturing
February 28th, 12:00 - 1:00
$10 | Online
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Hosted by Chop Value's Felix Böck, it focused on how we can create healthier manufacturing ecosystems.
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More info for these events will be expanded on below, and the up-to-date TWIG events can be found online at twigbc.ca/events/
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Greetings!
It’s been great catching up with many of you after the holidays and getting things rolling again for 2025. There’s always a special energy at the start of the year, and last week’s Timber Tech Connect event at Concept Lab was no exception—it was a packed house with an engaging presentation from TAG Panels, Kindred Construction and Public Architecture. If you missed it, don’t worry! We’ve partnered with Naturally:wood to produce a recap video, so stay tuned.
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Our Shape workshop schedule is also taking shape (no pun intended!). We have an exciting lineup of sessions, so check out the descriptions and links below to find out what’s coming up.
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Lastly, Part Four of our Wood & Culture series is here, and thanks to those who have been following along. If you missed parts released in previous newsletters, you can catch up using the link to a PDF below.
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With forest-felt regards,
Patrick Christie and The TWIG team
info@twigbc.ca
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Design, Craft, and Culture. The Future of BC’s Wood Industry
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In this fourth part of our ongoing series, we continue to explore wood at the intersection of culture. In our previous article, we discussed the Industrial Revolution and how it influenced design and craftsmanship. Now, we’ll dive deeper into how design, craft, and culture are interwoven, shaping the development of a wood identity. We’ll explore lessons we could learn from other countries and consider how BC could develop its own unique wood culture rooted in its history, environment, and the creative minds of its people.
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In many countries, design and craftsmanship have been pivotal in elevating wood into a material of global significance. From furniture to architectural elements, wood has been transformed through creative industries that value its aesthetic, functional potential and cultural significance. Scandinavian countries have long been celebrated for their ability to integrate nature with innovative design. These nations have pioneered creating furniture and architectural elements that marry form and function, all while remaining environmentally conscious. With its clean lines and timeless appeal, Scandinavian Modernism has influenced the design world for decades. It’s a design philosophy prioritizing simplicity, durability, and sustainability—making it not just an aesthetic choice but a cultural movement and a global design trend.
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However, in BC, external influences have often shaped the wood products industry. European trends and manufacturing methods have played a significant role in shaping BC’s wood industry. There is a notable lack of collaboration between design disciplines—architecture, industrial design, interior design—and the wood industry. This lack of co-creation has made it difficult for BC to evolve from its legacy model to a modernized one despite the province’s vast forest resources. While design industries are not traditionally considered part of the Value-Added wood sector, they are an essential part of the value chain. They don’t simply create products—they generate new value, open new markets, and help cultivate culture.
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Design and craft are not just about making objects—they reflect how people relate to the world around them. In Japan, for example, wood has always been revered as a sacred material with deep spiritual significance. For centuries, Japanese craftsmen have worked with wood in ways that respect its natural properties, treating the material with reverence and creating timeless objects and structures that are both functional and beautiful. This deep-rooted relationship with wood is reflected in the philosophy of Japanese woodworking, which emphasizes precision, beauty, and harmony between the material and the maker. In Japan, wood is not just a building material; it is an integral part of daily life, symbolizing a connection to nature, tradition, and cultural heritage.
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In BC, Indigenous communities have long held a similar reverence for wood, as seen in intricate carvings, the construction of structures, and the crafting of tools that meet practical cultural needs. However, colonization disrupted these practices, dividing BC’s modern wood industries from its cultural roots. It’s only in recent years, with initiatives like the Value-Added Accelerator program, that we are beginning to develop a vision and framework for integrating Indigenous culture into the wood industry, opening up new possibilities for leadership.
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Today, BC has a powerful opportunity to bridge the gap between Indigenous perspectives and modern design to revolutionize the wood industry. Drawing inspiration from Japan and Scandinavia, what if we treated our wood with cultural significance? What if Indigenous perspectives and values were embedded in every wood product that left BC? The future lies in building a new system—a hybrid system that blends culture and industry, combining Indigenous and settler values. This is a unique moment in time where we have the chance to shape what this future could look like.
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Imagine how culturally rich it would be for Indigenous perspectives to elevate BC’s wood products globally while fostering the rebirth of an industry that prioritizes its people, communities, and the environment.
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---> You can find a link to the PDF of the previous articles HERE
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Workshop Schedule
We have kicked off our shape workshop series and will be adding new workshops every couple of weeks, running until late spring / early summer.
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 #2 - Advancing Wood Structures
February 13th, 12:00 - 1:00
Online | $10
Hosted by - Concept Lab
Register +
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Wood is the oldest construction material, and yet incredible innovation is still happening in wood construction, particularly in mass timber buildings. Mass timber has been rapidly growing in popularity over the last few decades, and it is seen as one of the best solutions to reducing embodied carbon in the built environment. Brandon Sullivan from Fast + Epp’s Concept Lab will discuss the research and testing they have been doing to help advance structural engineering, and the new products that are being developed to solve the most persistent challenges in construction.
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Advancing Wood Structures is designed for those new to the industry or looking to deepen their understanding of product development in mass timber and structural wood systems. This session will explore key advancements in structural engineering and how new wood-based products are being developed and brought to market. Whether you’re an emerging professional or simply curious about the future of wood construction, this workshop offers insights into the innovations shaping the next generation of mass timber and wood-building systems in BC.
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Workshop #3 - Decentralized Manufacturing
February 28th, 12:00 - 1:00
Online | $10
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ChopValue is redefining the term waste to resource with responsible manufacturing. Listen in as Felix Böck, Founder and CEO, shares how the company is transforming under-utilized resources from waste streams into premium, commercial-grade products to build a healthier, more sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. With operations spanning 9 countries and over 80 Microfactories in development, ChopValue’s circular business model showcases how responsible manufacturing — focused on sourcing, producing, and distributing locally in each community — can scale to create a meaningful global impact.
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While ChopValue’s model focuses on bamboo chopsticks, its Circular Manufacturing System—from Nano to Micro to Macro—offers valuable insights into developing localized wood manufacturing ecosystems. Decentralized Manufacturing explores how alternative production approaches can lead to a more resilient and sustainable industry. Felix Böck will share his perspective on designing a network of specialized facilities that align material supply with value-engineered end products, demonstrating how scalable, decentralized manufacturing can create long-term impact.
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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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