Mass Timber Industrial Buildings and Warehouses

The emerging use of mass timber in industrial buildings presents promising opportunities that are shaping the future of construction in this sector. As a sustainable and economically competitive alternative, mass timber is redefining what is possible in industrial construction, a field traditionally dominated by prefabricated steel. An analysis of two cutting-edge projects in Sudbury, Ontario, highlights key advantages, including cost competitiveness, reduced embodied carbon, and superior aesthetic appeal. The insights from these two projects present stakeholders with helpful considerations and valuable strategies for integrating mass timber into future developments.

Participants will learn how to create flexible, multi-tenant industrial layouts using mass timber systems that are able to accommodate evolving tenant needs.

Participants will gain insight into how early-stage collaboration with mass timber suppliers streamlines design, engineering, and construction processes.

Participants will gain insight into the role of mass timber in biophilic design, and how its visual warmth and natural materials contribute to wellness-centred spaces that appeal to tenants.

Participants will understand how mass timber can be a cost-competitive alternative to steel, especially in volatile markets, and assess its impact on embodied carbon and sustainability goals.

Darian Sweeney, B.Sc., B.B.A, Chief Operating Officer, Bloomington Developments

Born and raised in Greater Sudbury, Darian holds dual bachelor’s degrees from Laurentian University – in Biochemistry and Business Administration with a specialization in finance. In December of 2021, he joined Bloomington Developments, a real estate investor and developer in Greater Sudbury with a focus on commercial and industrial assets. While he has had the chance to apply his skills in capital budgeting, asset valuation, financial forecasting, and cost tracking in his time with Bloomington, his first major role with the company was unrelated to his educational background: overseeing the two concurrent mass timber building projects that are the subject of this seminar. Darian now manages all construction projects – whether new builds or renovations – and negotiates all leases across the company’s portfolio, in addition to his roles as primary liaison on legal, administrative, tenant relations, marketing, and business development matters.

Patrick Danielson, Founder and Principal, Danielson Architecture Office Inc. (OAA + AIBC, MRAIC)

Patrick holds a degree in Biomedical Science and a graduate degree from the School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. Combining these disciplines, he developed a unique "genetic design" approach — an evolving architectural strategy informed by biological principles. Patrick has expanded this framework through academic research, patented innovations, private sector projects, biological studies, and his experience as a pilot.