VICOTRIA, British Columbia — Diamond Schmitt, a Canadian architectural firm, announced that the Government of British Columbia will be funding its demonstration buildings and research grants. 

The Government of British Columbia will provide more than $4 million to the province’s Mass Timber Demonstration Program. The funding will go towards buildings that show mass-timber hybrid systems and structures. The program builds on B.C.’s global leadership by developing and utilizing mass-timber products, technologies and earth-friendly services. 

Two of Diamond Schmitt’s buildings, The Cameron Community Centre and Library and the Marpole Community Centre, will receive up to $500,000 each to build sturdier and more sustainable communities in the Province. Four of the company’s research projects will also receive grants. 

The Cameron Community Centre and Library is a recreational building that will provide fitness, aquatic and community programming to Burnaby. The facility uses a hybrid mass-timber and steel structural system to reduce carbon emissions. 

The Marpole Community Centre is a mass-timber development in Vancouver. Diamond Schmitt’s project will double the size of the existing center, and use exposed glue-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber panels as a carbon reduction strategy. The facility is expected to meet Passive House certification and targets LEED Gold. 

“Mass timber advances the construction of climate-smart buildings built with a renewable and sustainable product that helps grow our province’s clean economy,” said Brenda Bailey, minister of jobs for economic development and innovation. “Investing in B.C.’s mass-timber sector allows us to get more value from every tree harvested while supporting good jobs for people throughout B.C.”

“As we move forward to build a strong, sustainability-managed forest sector, we are making sure to support the people and communities who have built B.C. forestry into the world-class industry it is today,” said Bruce Ralston, minister of forests. “Modernizing our forestry sector means retrofitting forestry operations to get more value from every part of the tree, while strengthening our economy and ensuring good-paying, family-supporting jobs for generations to come.” 

For more information on Diamond Schmitt, visit dsai.ca.