As Mass Timber Construction Gains Ground in Quebec, Baptiste Giorgio Explores Why This Sustainable Material Has Yet to Take Off
As mass timber construction gains momentum in Quebec, Baptiste Giorgio, who completed his PhD in wood and bio-based materials engineering at Université Laval on November 26, 2024, investigated why this sustainable material has yet to become widely adopted in the built environment.
Within the NSERC Industrial Chair on Sustainable Wood Construction (CIRCERB), under the supervision of Pierre Blanchet (ULaval) and co-supervision of Aline Barlet (ENSAP Bx, France), Giorgio focused his thesis on analyzing public and industry stakeholders’ perceptions of mass timber buildings. His research highlights a marked contrast: while the material is admired for its aesthetics and ecological benefits, it also raises persistent concerns regarding costs, fire safety, and construction complexity.
In addition to a survey conducted with the general public, 42 industry professionals were interviewed to identify the main obstacles to adopting mass timber. These discussions revealed recurring barriers: lack of expertise, regulatory constraints, and production challenges, while also showing strong consensus on the material’s environmental potential.
Published in the construction section of the October issue of Les Affaires, a series dedicated to the rise of timber construction following the regulatory update to the National Building Code (NBC) now permitting encapsulated mass timber buildings up to 18 stories, this project illustrates the joint efforts of the Faculty of Forestry, Geography, and Geomatics (FFGG) and the Centre for Renewable Materials Research (CRMR) to promote sustainable and innovative construction practices.
From training wood engineers and product designers to research on bio-based materials and eco-responsible structures, the FFGG continues to play a central role in transforming Quebec’s construction sector by educating professionals and developing practical solutions for more sustainable and resilient buildings.
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For more details on Baptiste Giorgio’s thesis, you can access it here: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/172904