Wednesday, February 10
My Cart9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
CSA climate resilience in Canadian health care
Location: Room 220
- Architecture
- Property Management & Building Operations
- Engineering
Streams: Design Concepts, Health & Wellness; Sustainability, Decarbonization & High-Performance Buildings
Tracks: Public Sector
Building Types: Institutional
Learn about the new CSA Guide to Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities and immerse yourself in an interactive workshop experience. After an overview of the Guide and how and when to use it, participants will breakout into groups to work through a simulated resilience project at a health care facility. Participants will be assigned roles with objectives to meet and will need to collaborate to implement the resilience project objectives. This workshop will provide hands-on experience moving through the guidelines to implement a resilience project while providing new perspectives of various project team roles – and ultimately enabling more collaborative and holistic approach to implementing resilience into the project.
Speakers
Robin Hawker Principal, Climate Resilience, Introba
Robin Hawker is a Professional Planner with over 10 years of experience designing strategic programs to enhance climate readiness at community, neighbourhood, campus, and building scales. She leads Introba Canada’s climate resilience practice and has partnered with large portfolio holders across Canada to develop standards and tools to embed climate readiness into existing and growing building and infrastructure portfolios.
Robin drew on her industry experience to help develop the CSA Climate Resilience in Canadian Health Care Guide, which helps health care design, construction, and operations teams identify when and how to integrate adaptation strategies throughout the facility lifecycle, from early design through retrofits and renovations.
Ankita Shah Project Manager, Health Care & Well-Being, CSA Group
Ankita Shah is an experienced project management professional with expertise in standards development, healthcare, occupational health and safety, workplace wellness, and public safety. Currently serving as Project Manager II at CSA Group, she leads complex national projects focused on health care, hydrogen safety, sustainability, climate resilience, and occupational health and safety. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, engagement with interested parties, business case development, research management, financial analysis, and leading multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts. She has successfully managed the development and publication of numerous Canadian standards and research initiatives, including projects related to hydrogen emergency response competencies, health care facility design, and lift truck safety.
- Early
- $65
- Regular
- $85
Thursday, February 11
My Cart9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Mass timber in healthcare: a case study
Location: Rooms 208/209
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
- Interior Design
Streams: Project Planning, Procurement, Management & Delivery; Sustainability, Decarbonization & High-Performance Buildings
Tracks: Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction; Public Sector; WoodWorks at BUILDEX
Building Types: Institutional
Partners: Canadian Wood Council (CWC)
This panel brings together the client, architect, and structural engineer to share the story behind the BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity, a 166,000-square-foot hybrid mass timber healthcare facility in Vancouver. Panelists will explore why mass timber was selected, how it supports therapeutic design and user experience, and the collaborative process that shaped this project.
The discussion will cover hybrid structural solutions, full-scale suite mock-ups used to engage clinicians, patients, and accessibility consultants, and lessons learned balancing architectural expression, clinical requirements, constructability, and sustainability. Attendees will gain practical insights into applying mass timber in complex institutional projects where performance, occupant wellbeing, and operational needs must align.
Speakers
Juan Jose Cruz Martinez Senior Director of Major Capital Projects, Provincial Health Services Authority
Juan Jose Cruz Martinez serves as the Senior Director of Major Capital Projects with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). In his role, he provides strategic leadership for the planning and delivery of large-scale healthcare infrastructure at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, aligning capital investments with clinical, operational, and system priorities. He oversees the delivery of a first-of-its-kind BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity. With nearly two decades of experience, Juan has led design and procurement efforts in both the private and public sectors, specializing in health-care and mass timber projects. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Seville and a Master of Design from the University of New South Wales. He is also a LEED Green Associate and holds an Evidence-Based Design Accreditation (EDAC).
Robert Jackson Partner, Fast + Epp
Robert Jackson is a Partner at Fast + Epp, where he leads projects spanning diverse sectors, scales, and material systems across Canada and the United States. A recognized leader in mass timber design, he has contributed to landmark projects including Brock Commons Tallwood House, Limberlost Place, The Hive, and the PNE Freedom Mobile Arch. Most recently, Robert led the structural design for BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity, developing a hybrid mass timber and steel solution that met the specialized performance requirements of a modern healthcare facility.
Robert is also a frequent contributor to research publications and industry initiatives, sharing knowledge that advances the adoption of mass timber and supports the continued evolution of structural design practices.
Duncan Bates Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects
Duncan Bates approaches architectural design through a critical understanding of how buildings shape, and are shaped by, their social and geographic context. He brings a belief in the cultural value of shared spaces to every project he leads.
At Diamond Schmitt, Duncan has led design, production, and delivery for civic, cultural, healthcare, and mixed-use projects. He was design and project lead for Waterworks, a heritage adaptive reuse development in downtown Toronto with a YMCA, retail space, and 290 residential units. He also led the competition-winning Baker District masterplan in downtown Guelph and now leads design and delivery of its proposed 88,000-sf Central Library, designed for net-zero certification. His recent work includes BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Health Complexity, a first-of-its-kind Canadian facility for children and youth with complex healthcare needs.
- Early
- $65
- Regular
- $85
Presenting Partner
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Building better schools with wood: lessons from British Columbia
Location: Rooms 208/209
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
Streams: Project Planning, Procurement, Management & Delivery; Sustainability, Decarbonization & High-Performance Buildings
Tracks: Public Sector; WoodWorks at BUILDEX
Building Types: Institutional
Partners: Canadian Wood Council (CWC)
British Columbia has emerged as a leader in the design and construction of wood schools, with more than 50 K-12 schools incorporating wood into their buildings over the past decade. This session explores lessons learned from completed projects including wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm Elementary School, highlighting how wood can support student wellbeing, sustainability goals, and efficient project delivery. Attendees will gain practical insights into design, procurement, engineering, and construction strategies that are helping shape the next generation of learning environments.
Speakers
Carla Dickof Principal, Director of Research and Development, Fast + Epp
Carla Dickof is a Principal and Director of Research & Development at Fast + Epp, where she combines technical expertise, research leadership, and practical project experience to advance innovative structural solutions. Since joining the firm in 2012 after completing her Master’s degree at the University of British Columbia, she has contributed to many of Fast + Epp’s most notable projects, including The Hive and Ādisōke. As Director of Research & Development, Carla leads the firm’s R&D initiatives, translating research and testing into real-world project applications while contributing to the advancement of timber design more broadly. A recognized expert in mass timber, she is the author of several industry-leading publications.
Brad Doff Senior Manager, Innovation & Sustainability, Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd.
Brad Doff is Senior Manager, Innovation & Sustainability at Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), where he works with industry, designers, researchers, and government to accelerate innovation in sustainable building. Over the past 16 years, he has led initiatives focused on mass timber, embodied carbon reduction, biophilic design, and prefabrication, helping advance resilient, low-carbon, and people-centred approaches to the built environment.
Lindsey Salter Associate, Senior Architect, Thinkspace Architecture® Planning Interior Design Ltd.
Lindsey Salter, Architect AIBC, is an Associate and Senior Architect with Thinkspace Architecture® Planning Interior Design Ltd. She has a strong commitment to design and architecture that is expressed in the projects she has been a part of since joining Thinkspace. Lindsey recently completed work on the new four-storey mass timber SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School in South Langford, and is currently working on the stɑtl̓əw̓ Middle School + Emery Dosdall Secondary School project (formerly known as Smith Campus), a 2,800-student school campus in Langley. Over the course of her career, Lindsey has delivered a variety of project typologies, including commercial buildings, multi-family residences, and First Nation spaces.
- Early
- $65
- Regular
- $85
Presenting Partner
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
From policy to project: how to procure mass timber for public sector buildings
Location: Rooms 208/209
- Architecture
- Construction & Trades
- Engineering
Streams: Project Planning, Procurement, Management & Delivery
Tracks: Prefabrication, Modular & Offsite Construction; Public Sector
Building Types: Institutional
Mass timber is transitioning from an experimental alternative to a mainstream construction method, driven by updated building codes, a growing network of regional fabricators, and corporate net-zero targets. Early design and manufacturing coordination and careful procurement planning can help maintain market competition and achieve the best overall project value. Contributors to the new Mass Timber Procurement Guide share practical lessons, emerging best practices, and real-world examples to help public sector owners and project teams successfully deliver mass timber projects.
Join this session to explore the implications of different delivery models, early contractor involvement, and project team scope. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how procurement decisions influence project outcomes and discover practical approaches for delivering successful mass timber projects.
Speakers
Tom Beeby Director, Turner & Townsend
Tom Beeby is a Director of Project Management at Turner & Townsend, with extensive experience leading complex development and construction projects. Throughout his career, he has held project management roles at Turner & Townsend, Merebrook Projects, Anthem Properties Group Ltd., and UBC Properties Trust, building expertise across the full project lifecycle.
Tom holds a degree in Architectural Engineering (Civil Engineering) from Loughborough University and brings a strong combination of technical knowledge and commercial acumen to his work. His areas of expertise include project management, cost management, contract administration, commercial management, and design management. Known for delivering strategic project outcomes, Tom has a proven track record of guiding multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders through successful project delivery.
Lisa Pryce Principal, Pryce Advisory Services Inc.
Lisa Pryce is the owner of Pryce Advisory Services Inc., a boutique consulting firm in the sunny Okanagan. She has twenty-five years of public sector experience and is adept at developing, leading, and working with cross-functional teams in a variety of industries and environments. Lisa is well recognized in her field for her expertise in construction procurement, contracting and deep-seated understanding of trade agreements and their requirements. As a respected leader, her portfolio spans speaking engagements, teaching, training, and mentoring.
David Todtmann Director, Development & Innovation, Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd.
David Todtmann is Director, Development & Innovation at Forestry Innovation Investment (FII). He leads initiatives that advance mass timber, prefabrication, and innovative wood construction across British Columbia. His work focuses on program development, industry collaboration, research, and market adoption strategies that strengthen B.C.’s wood construction and manufacturing sectors.
- Early
- $65
- Regular
- $85