Saskatoon’s new central library is envisioned as a safe, inclusive place of learning for all who live in the city. During the design concept phase, a mass timber structure was selected to reflect the cultural and material significance of wood to Indigenous and Métis peoples. The 12,600-square-metre facility draws inspiration from the tipi, expressed through a gently sloping façade composed of triple-glazed windows with white ceramic frit and white insulated metal panels. The second, third, and fourth levels incorporate a shingled glass and wall system that enables natural ventilation. Completion is scheduled for 2027.

Trinity College’s new hybrid mass timber building, the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, brings together residential, academic, and community spaces in a zero-carbon facility targeting LEED Platinum certification. Designed with performance and efficiency in mind, the building incorporates high-efficiency ventilation, energy-efficient lighting and controls, and low-energy equipment and fixtures.The low-rise, 14,450-m² (155,000-sq.ft.) T-shaped building will accommodate approximately 350 residence beds across single and double rooms, as well as suites. Residential amenities include shared lounge areas with full kitchens and multipurpose study and activity spaces. Academic uses comprise seminar- and lecture-style classrooms, office space, and a top-floor event and conference pavilion connected to an outdoor terrace. The building is supported by geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop photovoltaics, and an underground cistern for rainwater collection and reuse. Construction is progressing, with the project on track to open later this year.

The Bartillon Shelter is a first-of-its-kind project for the City of Madison: a purpose-built, permanent men’s shelter designed to provide dignified, supportive housing for up to 250 residents. The two-storey, 40,000-sq.ft. civic building uses mass timber construction and community-driven design to respond to the evolving needs of unhoused individuals. The structure incorporates approximately 798 m³ of mass timber, including CLT panels and glulam beams and columns. Exposed wood throughout the building supports a trauma-informed, human-centred environment, introducing warmth and visual calm while reducing the institutional feel typical of shelter facilities. These biophilic qualities contribute to a more restorative setting, aligning the project’s architectural expression with its social purpose. The shelter is scheduled to open in April 2026.

The new congress centre in Rouen, France, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, was conceived as a public gathering place that will reconnect the city with its waterfront. The centre introduces new cultural and civic amenities, including two auditoriums, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, and a restaurant. A generous central staircase links the main foyer to the principal auditorium, reinforcing the building’s role as a civic hub. Nicknamed “The Sail,” the centre is defined by a sweeping timber roof that descends into six scalloped waves extending outward toward the river, a form that reflects Rouen’s maritime heritage. The roof will be clad with photovoltaic panels to support on-site energy generation, while the building as a whole is designed to meet Passivhaus certification standards.

Designs by Shigeru Ban Architects have been completed for a new mass timber whisky and gin distillery in Scotland. The project will be located in the Speyside region, an area internationally recognized for whisky production and protected under UK legislation governing Scotch whisky distilling. The design comprises a series of distinct forms, each corresponding to a specific function within the distillery’s production process. Set within the Speyside forests, the mass timber structures are intended to blend into the surrounding landscape, offering visitors expansive views of the natural setting.