UBC Orchard Commons

The UBC Orchard Commons development comprises two new 18-storey student residence blocks connected by a shared student commons area.

We erected the 20,000 sf. roof covering the commons area. Glulam beams - up to 21m long and over 1m deep - span the large cafeteria area, with a mass timber roof atop. The mass timber roof panels are exposed as an internal ceiling and external soffit, creating a warm and inviting space visible through the glass facade. The rooftop is accessible, with a landscaped seating area.

The roof structure is comprised of Nail Laminated Timber (NLT) roof panels sitting on Glulam beams and columns. The NLT panels cantilever up to 3m in two directions past the Glulam column and beam supports. NLT was chosen for this project as it uses local wood fibre and proved a cost effective yet aesthetic timber soffit.

The lobby spaces in between floors in the two residential towers are connected by 23 sets of NLT stairs. Using the unique concept of CNCing stringers from Douglas Fir 2x12s, these timber laminated stairs create a solid wood connection between floors.