Brock Commons Tallwood House is a groundbreaking, 404-bed, tall wood student residence that—at the time of its completion—was the tallest contemporary mass timber building in the world. Awarded the inaugural International Prize for Wood Architecture in 2018, the cutting-edge project was part of the 2013 National Resources Canada Tall Wood Building Demonstration Initiative that aimed to demonstrate that mass wood structures can be a viable option for high-rise buildings. An extensive CLT canopy runs the length of the curtain wall base. The prefabricated facade is patterned with vertical striations of light wood and charcoal-coloured high pressure laminate cladding. Student study and social spaces at the ground floor and penthouse level feature warm wood finishes.
UBC Brock Commons Tallwood House
Vancouver, BC
The University of British Columbia
2017
15,800 m2
dusk
sustainability
SABMag Green Building Award
LEED Gold certified
awards & recognition
2022
Austrian Green Planet Building Award
2018
International Prize for Wood Architecture
Lieutenant Governor of BC Award
Sustainable Architecture & Building Green Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Architect Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Innovation Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Engineer Award
CTBUH Innovation Award of Excellence
Lieutenant Governor of BC Award for Engineering Excellence
Vancouver Regional Construction Association Gold Award
2017
Premier’s Award Promoting Innovation and Excellence
Canadian Wood Council Special Jury Award
Construction Dive Five Favourite Projects of the Year
Institution of Structural Engineers Innovation Award
NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
Fast Company Innovation by Design Finalist
prefabricated facade
This remarkable building, the first-of-its-kind in the world, is another shining example of Canadian ingenuity and innovation.
HON. James Gordon Carr
Member of Parliament
CLT canopy
collegium social and study space
collegium social and study space
collegium fireplace nook
residence social and study space
residence social and game space
sustainability
SABMag Green Building Award
LEED Gold certified
awards & recognition
2022
Austrian Green Planet Building Award
2018
International Prize for Wood Architecture
Lieutenant Governor of BC Award
Sustainable Architecture & Building Green Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Architect Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Innovation Award
Canadian Wood Council Wood Works Engineer Award
CTBUH Innovation Award of Excellence
Lieutenant Governor of BC Award for Engineering Excellence
Vancouver Regional Construction Association Gold Award
2017
Premier’s Award Promoting Innovation and Excellence
Canadian Wood Council Special Jury Award
Construction Dive Five Favourite Projects of the Year
Institution of Structural Engineers Innovation Award
NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
Fast Company Innovation by Design Finalist
residence lobby
quad unit living
quad unit sleeping
studio unit
penthouse study and social space
penthouse study and social space
rising above the treetops
This building is innovative, bold and leading edge in showing us a glimpse of the future.
AIBC Innovation Award Jury