Centennial College - A Block Expansion

As part of Teeple Architects’ Design–Build team, we engineered a 130,000-sf mass-timber scheme for Centennial College’s A-Block Expansion—classrooms, labs, an Indigenous Commons, and administration—targeted to the CaGBC Zero Carbon Building Standard. The proposal placed second, but the technical research has continued to shape our carbon-reduction approach.

Architecturally, the campus gateway is organized around a circular, drum-inspired Indigenous Commons that anchors two curving wings and links street level to the Student Services Highway via an AODA-compliant ramp. A transparent façade with vertical ceramic panels and chevron timber cladding gives the structure a warm, legible expression of the timber frame.

The structural concept uses a glulam post-and-beam superstructure with DLT floor and roof panels over a concrete podium where required. Long-span glulam purlins (≈12 m) are notched over girders to keep services zones clear and to control perimeter cantilevers, with rigid concrete-topped diaphragms at typical floors and an OSB diaphragm at roof. Lateral resistance combines CLT shear walls, two CMU cores, and glulam chevron braces above Level 2 with concrete shear below. A non-combustible steel PV trellis is tied back to the timber frame; green-roof and snow-drift load cases were resolved through targeted studies. Foundations are largely independent with movement joints at the interface; checks confirmed the existing A-Block roof could accommodate drift effects.

Performance detailing includes a 1-hour FRR for the timber frame with 2-hour separations at major occupancies and selective intumescent protection at exposed steel. Acoustics and vibration are managed by a mass-enhanced deck (concrete topping over DLT) and composite action between purlins and panels to control footfall response.

Renderings credit Tango Studio.