Mass timber now the standard choice for Canadian university students.

In response to the growing need for more student accommodations, Vancouver Island University is developing a 10-storey hybrid mass-timber housing complex at its Nanaimo Campus, providing 266 beds for students. ⁠

⁠This building features a seven-storey timber structure, built atop a three-storey podium constructed from reinforced concrete slabs to meet the necessary load requirements for its intended use. The fourth level acts as a transfer slab, supporting the upper six floors dedicated to student living.⁠

⁠Employing a hybrid construction approach, these upper levels consist of point-supported 5-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs along with steel HSS columns, which are carefully sized to fit within the internal partitions and maximize available floor space.⁠

⁠We are excited to share that construction has commenced, with expected completion slated for 2027!⁠

⁠Read more:
Vancouver Island University student housing