Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver has earned an international award for innovation from the Institution of Structural Engineers. Winners of the Structural Awards 2017 were honoured in London, UK. The Structural Awards are held each year to celebrate the role of structural engineers as innovative, creative design professionals and to showcase the world’s cutting edge engineering projects.

The Construction Innovation Award is presented to projects that demonstrate structural engineering excellence in the innovative use of construction materials or processes. Fast + Epp worked with the design team, that included Acton Ostry Architects and Seagate Structures, to simplify the structure to deliver the world’s tallest mass timber tower in record time. Located on the UBC campus, the 404-bed student residence building officially opened in July 2017.

The judges praised the engineers, Fast + Epp, on the development of an innovative solution to deliver a highly economic and sustainable alternative to more traditional construction methodology. The new hybrid system sets a new precedent for what can be economically achieved in predominantly timber structures.

The 18-storey building consists of five-ply cross laminated (CLT) floor panels, point-supported by glued-laminated timber columns, all resting on a concrete transfer slab at level two. Two full-height concrete cores provide lateral stability.

Winners were chosen from a shortlist of 45 pioneering global projects which showcased the ingenuity and expertise of the engineers behind them. A diverse range of structures, from temples to tourist attractions, were recognized across 14 categories.

Last year, Fast + Epp took home The Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence for the Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey.