Brock Commons Tallwood House UBC | Mass Timber Project

Brock Commons Tallwood House is a mass timber hybrid student residence at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which at 18 storeys is the world’s tallest contemporary wood building. Brock Commons consists of a 17-storey mass timber hybrid superstructure atop a one-storey concrete podium with two full-height concrete cores that house elevators, stairs and services conduits. The roof is made of prefabricated sections of steel beams and metal decking.

It accommodates 404 students in 272 studios and 33 four-bedroom units. Social and study spaces are located on the ground floor for student residents and commuter students, as well as a lounge on the 18th floor where the mass timber structure is left exposed.

The innovative mass timber-hybrid structural system developed for Brock Commons Tallwood House is economically viable, repeatable and adaptable to other building types and uses.