Building as a Living Lab: Mass Timber and Wellness in BCIT’s Campus Services Centre

The Campus Services Centre is one of the key components of the Trades and Technology Complex, currently under construction at the Burnaby Campus.

The finished building will incorporate offices, trades shops and a logistics warehouse, but the design will be a showcase for mass timber construction and how this can contribute to wellness for the occupants.

In this Living Labs Lecture, Carol Phillips and Troy Wright from Moriyama Teshima Architects who were part of the architectural team who developed this project alongside Carscadden Stokes McDonald, will be joined by Benedict Angus from structural engineers Fast+Epp will look at how Mass Timber construction technologies have been applied in this building and the relationship between Mass Timber and health and wellness.

The presentation will also discuss how the Modern Methods of Construction like off site prefabrication, which are used in this building are being applied nationally.

Biographies

Carol Phillips , Partner at Moriyama Teshima Architects, is a recognized leader with over 30 years of experience shaping transformative places for communities. A Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, she has been at the forefront of sustainable design, pioneering low-carbon and mass timber construction while advancing net-zero carbon strategies. Her portfolio spans academic institutions, cultural landmarks, and civic buildings across Canada and internationally, each project marked by innovation, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.

Guided by a design philosophy that emphasizes the connection between people, place, and nature, Carol creates architecture that fosters collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and ecological stewardship. Her empathetic and collaborative approach ensures that every project not only responds to the climate crisis but also strengthens community bonds and enhances the human experience through beautiful, inspiring, thoughtful, and context-driven design.

Troy Wright is a Senior Architect with over 25 years of experience in residential and institutional projects. He takes an intuitive and diligent approach, working closely with principal architects, colleagues, and clients through all stages of design and construction administration. From broad conceptual ideas to focused detailed problem solving, Troy explores the full potential of all projects in a positive and co-creative atmosphere that endeavours to elevate the practice of architecture to a level that exceeds expectations.

Benedict Angus is a Chartered Structural Engineer with over ten years’ experience in construction. Since joining Fast+ Epp in 2022, he has worked on numerous mass timber and hybrid structures, with a focus on design for fabrication, buildability, and collaborative delivery. His work integrates innovative structural systems, particularly mass timber and prefabricated construction, alongside low-carbon materials.

Through his Master’s research, he tested traditional Japanese timber connections fabricated from glulam, exploring how historic principles can inform modern engineered wood systems. His portfolio spans projects from the expansion of Kelowna Airport to sensitive structural interventions within the historic fabric of Buckingham Palace.

His work reflects a belief that innovation emerges not only from new technologies, but from a deep understanding of material history, craft, and construction and fabrication logic.