Russell Acton

Over the past decade, the construction of tall wood buildings has risen steadily around the world. For the tall wood movement to continue to grow, wooden high-rises must be affordable to design and build. To be truly environmentally impactful mass wood structures must become an economically viable option for buildings of all types and sizes. Russell and Acton Ostry Architects’ creativity found a way to achieve what was in 2017 the tallest contemporary wooden high-rise in the world! The 18 storey Brock Commons Tallwood House aspires to be a model for a future where wooden high-rises are quick, clean and cost effective to build. The innovative student residence now houses over 400 UBC students and avoided the production of 679 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and should store an impressive 1,753 tonnes of CO2 for 100 years or more.