Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why is wood making a massive comeback in global architecture? Catherine Joseph, Architect and Project Manager at 3XN, joins us to discuss how mass timber is shifting the industry away from purely concrete and steel structures toward adaptive, low-carbon, and nature-connected spaces. Read the conversation highlights below:
The Return of Wood Technology
While timber is an ancient building material, rapid innovations in mass timber are allowing it to integrate safely into dense urban environments. By forming hybrid frameworks with steel and concrete, architects now have the flexibility to bring wood into modern, large-scale structures.
The True Power of Biophilic Design
Unlike concrete and steel, exposed timber brings the natural environment directly into core building structures before interior fit-outs even begin. Wood offers a distinct sensory experience through its visual warmth, rich textures, and natural scent—proven to boost occupant well-being and strengthen the indoor-outdoor connection.
Spotlight: T3 Bayside in Toronto
Collaborating with developer Hines, 3XN designed T3 Bayside as a gateway to Toronto’s waterfront neighborhood. To maximize the public space between the twin mass timber structures, the design utilizes a flexible structural grid with stepped, double-height perimeters that encourage public activity and give future office tenants immense social flexibility.
Widespread Code Adoption in North America
While Canada benefits from a highly mature forestry sector, mass timber adoption is quickly reaching a critical tipping point across the United States. Municipalities and structural engineers nationwide are actively adapting local building codes to embrace low-carbon wood technology.
Designing for the End of Life: 3XN's Global Portfolio
Mass timber's mechanical joints allow buildings to be adapted, expanded, or entirely taken apart over time. 3XN highlights two major examples of this adaptive approach:
Cobot Hub (Denmark): An innovative robotics headquarters designed for total lifetime flexibility and eventual material reuse.
New Sydney Fish Market (Australia): A monumental waterfront project where a specialized timber roof structure was selected because wood naturally excels in corrosive marine environments, while doubling as a rainwater harvesting system.
Why is wood making a massive comeback in global architecture? Catherine Joseph, Architect and Project Manager at 3XN, joins us to discuss how mass timber is shifting the industry away from purely concrete and steel structures toward adaptive, low-carbon, and nature-connected spaces. Read the conversation highlights below:
The Return of Wood Technology
While timber is an ancient building material, rapid innovations in mass timber are allowing it to integrate safely into dense urban environments. By forming hybrid frameworks with steel and concrete, architects now have the flexibility to bring wood into modern, large-scale structures.
The True Power of Biophilic Design
Unlike concrete and steel, exposed timber brings the natural environment directly into core building structures before interior fit-outs even begin. Wood offers a distinct sensory experience through its visual warmth, rich textures, and natural scent—proven to boost occupant well-being and strengthen the indoor-outdoor connection.
Spotlight: T3 Bayside in Toronto
Collaborating with developer Hines, 3XN designed T3 Bayside as a gateway to Toronto’s waterfront neighborhood. To maximize the public space between the twin mass timber structures, the design utilizes a flexible structural grid with stepped, double-height perimeters that encourage public activity and give future office tenants immense social flexibility.
Widespread Code Adoption in North America
While Canada benefits from a highly mature forestry sector, mass timber adoption is quickly reaching a critical tipping point across the United States. Municipalities and structural engineers nationwide are actively adapting local building codes to embrace low-carbon wood technology.
Designing for the End of Life: 3XN's Global Portfolio
Mass timber's mechanical joints allow buildings to be adapted, expanded, or entirely taken apart over time. 3XN highlights two major examples of this adaptive approach:
Cobot Hub (Denmark): An innovative robotics headquarters designed for total lifetime flexibility and eventual material reuse.
New Sydney Fish Market (Australia): A monumental waterfront project where a specialized timber roof structure was selected because wood naturally excels in corrosive marine environments, while doubling as a rainwater harvesting system.
