The Presentation Centre utilizes a forward-thinking mass timber approach that merges structural innovation with an homage to local heritage. Located on a former sawmill site in Coquitlam, the building’s trapezoidal plan spans 200 feet in length, anchored by 26 primary glulam frames. Each roof beam varies in slope, creating a dynamic form that culminates in a striking 13-foot cantilevered canopy. A leaning cross-laminated timber wall and splayed timber columns at the rear further accentuate the building’s sculptural geometry.

From the outset, the design prioritized openness and flexibility, requiring unobstructed presentation spaces and expansive glazing. To address seismic forces without interior shear walls, our structural team used full-height cantilevered timber columns along the glazed front. Equipped with concealed threaded rods to handle uplift forces, these columns resist lateral loads up to 360 kip-feet—a rare application of timber cantilevers as a primary lateral system.

Advanced parametric modeling tools, including Rhino, Grasshopper, and Karamba3D, guided the complex geometry. Four key curves formed the basis for beam alignments, column angles, and planar projections, enabling a seamless flow from architectural intent to structural feasibility. This approach also informed the roof assembly, where straight purlins and carefully shaped plywood panels maintain the sweeping roofline without creating facets or warping.

Prefabrication played a crucial role in both quality control and assembly speed. All major timber components were CNC-fabricated and pre-assembled offsite, then hoisted into place in just five weeks. Exposed connections, including bolted bent plates, glued rods, and dowels, were engineered for both high capacity and visual reveal. Each detail was further optimized for disassembly, allowing the entire structure to be relocated and repurposed when the building’s sales function concludes.

The structural approach was rooted in early concept exploration, parametric design, and a rigorous fabrication plan. The team used Rhino, Grasshopper, and Karamba3D to generate a flexible model based on four critical input curves, which defined beam slopes, column orientations, and the roof plane. This data-driven workflow removed guesswork by automating updates to the structural geometry whenever the design evolved, minimizing unique part counts and ensuring consistent, accurate fabrication data.

A key innovation lay in developing a cantilevered timber column system along the glazed front. Extensive analysis confirmed that each glulam column, reinforced by a single threaded rod embedded near its inner face, could safely resist significant overturning moments without compromising visibility or interior space. At the rear, splayed columns and a leaning CLT wall provided additional stability while establishing the building’s distinctive shape.

To address the challenges of high snow loads on the canopy, we introduced a robust moment connection between the main roof beams and the cantilevered canopy beams. Bent plates, glued rods, and dowels enabled each beam to be installed rapidly, adjusting for varying slopes and ensuring reliable load transfer. For the roof’s sweeping surface, our team leveraged computational design to arrange straight purlins and non-rectangular plywood panels in a manner that maintained the curved profile.
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Through innovative structural engineering, computational design, and fabrication, the project achieved an open, visually striking building erected in only five weeks. The final structure meets stringent seismic and architectural requirements without sacrificing transparency or flexibility. Its fully exposed yet demountable connections highlight the elegance of timber while allowing for future relocation—embodying innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship in this landmark project.