Woodrise 2025: Powered by Vancouver’s Innovation & Talent

In September 2025, Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.) will host Woodrise 2025, the world’s leading congress on sustainable wood construction. From September 22 to 25, international delegates representing over 25 countries will gather to explore how mid- and high-rise timber design can meet urgent global challenges—from climate resilience and wildfire adaptation to affordable housing and low-carbon urban growth.

A Global Mission Rooted in Local Excellence

Woodrise 2025, being held in B.C. for the first time, highlights Vancouver’s rise as Canada’s leading centre for mass timber engineering and design. Vancouver has become a galvanizing force in the industry, home to a dynamic concentration of structural engineers, architects, builders and researchers driving forward timber innovation.

Local expertise will be spotlighted throughout the event—from plenary sessions to experiential tours—showcasing Vancouver as a launchpad of experimentation and leadership in the global movement toward smarter, sustainable construction. The region’s contributions span bold architectural achievements, seismic safety advancements, prefabrication breakthroughs and innovative forest-to-frame value chains.

“I think of the now-famous Tallwood House at Brock Commons on the campus of the University of British Columbia, in my own community that I serve, that put mass timber on the world map. We didn’t stop there – I also think of our ongoing world firsts like tall office buildings with innovative structural design that showcases our extensive local talent.”
– Premier David Eby

Congress Highlights That Fuse Policy, Practice and Progress

Hosted by FPInnovations, with support from the Province of British Columbia, France’s FCBA and Japan’s JUBH, the Woodrise 2025 program offers a robust lineup:

• Policy and Plenary Discussions
  Keynotes and panels will explore how timber construction can support livable communities, climate-ready infrastructure and inclusive urban development.
• Technical Workshops
  Topics include hybrid systems, seismic and fire safety, moisture monitoring and the digitization of wood design and assembly—bridging scientific research with real-world solutions.
• Design Partnership Session
  Led by Lucas Epp of StructureCraft, this panel reunites the local innovators who have defined B.C.’s timber legacy. The session will trace how cross-disciplinary collaboration in Vancouver has reimagined what’s possible with wood—from design constraints to aesthetic aspirations.

“British Columbian architects and engineers have long been pioneering the possibilities of engineered wood at scale, beginning in the 1990s. Bringing together these early movers and shakers, I am excited to be organizing a panel providing a glimpse into the code, budget, and public opinion challenges overcome in the 90s and 2000s by some incredibly talented project teams.”
– Lucas Epp, P.Eng, Vice President & Head of Engineering, StructureCraft

The congress features:

• B2B Opportunities Zone
  A dedicated space for cross-border collaboration in architecture, engineering, manufacturing and investment.
• Technology Showcase
  Presenting breakthroughs in engineered wood products, lifecycle performance solutions and fire-rated systems—many pioneered in Vancouver studios and labs.
• International Networking Events
  Curated opportunities for meaningful professional exchange through receptions, offsite visits and evening socials.

Experiential Tours: Timber in Action Across British Columbia

In addition to the program items listed above, Woodrise 2025 offers exclusive access to cutting-edge projects through guided tours, providing technical insights across Vancouver and beyond:

• Crafting Community: Explore North Vancouver’s timber-built civic spaces and affordable housing
• Squamish Timber-Touched Adventure: Witness designs that merge wood innovation with stunning landscapes
• Wood, Innovation and Community: Visit Vancouver Island’s pioneering public and commercial projects
• The Timber Trail: Follow B.C.’s mass timber lifecycle in the Kootenay Region—from sustainable forests to advanced manufacturing

These tours reveal how B.C.’s local talent is reshaping materials, systems and design culture—and influencing global standards.

Vancouver: Canada’s Timber Trailblazer

Woodrise 2025 shines a spotlight on Vancouver not just as a host city, but as a centre of creativity and expertise in Canada’s timber transformation. Local visionaries have pushed the boundaries of what timber can achieve—blending sustainability, design and resilience into a built environment that is attracting global attention.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is leading the way by requiring mass timber in publicly funded building projects, such as schools and student housing.
• As of January 2024, B.C. had 370 completed mass timber buildings and 50 under construction—20 times the per capita density of the rest of North America.
• B.C. is a leader in mass timber manufacturing, with more companies than any other jurisdiction in North America, producing panelized products, cross-laminated timber (CLT)-ready glulam and mass timber fabrication.

With the congress theme “Building Smarter with Wood: Sustainable Solutions to Resilient Communities and Housing,” Vancouver invites the international community to witness its timber-powered future firsthand.