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Dr. Susan Fitzgerald (BEDS’97, March’99), associate professor in the School of Architecture is leading the Mass Timber Project, which focuses on creating a prefabricated modular housing prototype using mass timber – an engineered wood known for its durability and comparative sustainability. Dr. Fitzgerald’s project is investigating the potential of this building material to provide a scalable, rapidly deployable solution to the housing crisis. 

Definity Financial Corporation – a leading Canadian property and casualty insurance company – has identified mass timber as a potential solution. In Spring 2024, they committed $300,000 in support of the Mass Timber Project as part of a broader mission to address housing challenges through sustainable practices.

A key to affordable, sustainable housing

Mass timber offers a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials such as steel and concrete. It is renewable, stores carbon and generates significantly fewer emissions during production. “Mass timber serves as one of the most useful sustainable construction materials,” says Dr. Fitzgerald. “It is durable, cost-effective, and naturally fire-resistant, with low embodied carbon."

However, mass timber is still less understood than conventional materials, and its use is currently restricted by building codes, particularly for larger and taller buildings. Dr. Fitzgerald and her team aim to de-risk mass timber by increasing knowledge and awareness within the construction industry. 

By collaborating with contractors, sawmills, sustainable forestry experts, engineers, and other key stakeholders, the project team is breaking down barriers and creating a pathway to greater expertise in mass timber construction.

Long-term impact 

The potential of mass timber extends to long-term environmental stewardship. It has significant advantages in terms of speed and ease of construction, offering a lighter and faster alternative to traditional materials. In addition, mass timber construction helps maintain biogenic carbon for the life of the building, making it a critical tool in combating climate change. As a result, it can be rapidly deployed to meet urgent housing needs in ways that are sustainable and better for the environment. 

"This research not only addresses the housing crisis but could also contribute to sustainable forestry, job creation, and environmental stewardship," explains Dr. Fitzgerald. 

Brendan Seale, AVP & head, environment, social & governance at Definity, says the company anticipates that the knowledge gained from this project will benefit not only the housing market, but also the insurance industry.

“A greater understanding of mass timber’s characteristics and performance will help underwriters, and the industry as a whole, enable its adoption,” states Seale. "This research will help us better understand how mass timber performs against water and fire damage and how it can be restored after such impacts.” 

Beyond the housing sector, mass timber could reshape construction practices, providing a more sustainable and resilient solution to both new builds and renovations.

Collaborating for a broader societal impact

For Definity, supporting the work of researchers like Dr. Fitzgerald is essential to advancing industry-wide innovation in sustainable construction. 

"Collaborating with universities allows us to tap into the expertise of leading researchers and better understand new materials and technologies," says Seale. "The potential for mass timber to increase access to affordable, sustainable housing excites us and aligns with our broader mission."

Dr. Fitzgerald echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the critical role this contribution, facilitated in collaboration with Definity, plays in pushing the boundaries of mass timber research. "This collaboration allows us to deepen our understanding of mass timber’s potential and demonstrate its benefits to a broader audience. It’s crucial to scaling up solutions that can transform the housing market."

By supporting the Mass Timber Project, Definity is helping to fuel research that has the potential to reshape Canada’s housing landscape. This partnership exemplifies how strategic philanthropic support of sustainable construction can drive innovation, accelerate adoption, and create lasting societal impact. 

"Through this project," says Seale, "we hope to see mass timber widely adopted as a sustainable solution to the affordable housing challenge across Canada."