RAIC – Vancouver Island South Presents: Heavy Timber and Wood Fundamental Understanding

RAIC – Vancouver Island South Presents: Heavy Timber and Wood Fundamental Understanding

The use of timber is construction has numerous beneficial properties and some important challenges. Designing the structure with heavy dimension timber or boards is not without problems and challenges. This is basically because timber is a natural and very complex material. Concerns of any significant impact from wood movement could lead the project to instead use engineered wood. Knowing how wood moves, heavy dimension timber or boards are not commonly used and only dealt in small scale. So, what can be done to prepare in advance the ability to utilize more natural wood as an option for a structure? This session will first understand the fundamentals of wood, what makes wood move, and how wood movement caused from shrinkage and stress release is commonly mitigated through kiln drying.

The session will next discover a new technology called KunEn, created by Daizen Joinery in British Columbia for stress release treatment for timber. The process makes wood stable and dry, leaving a natural look of freshly cut timber that can bring the wood usage into new different approaches. KunEn technology can also contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to address global challenges and achieve a more sustainable future.

Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Cost: $19 (RAIC Members) / $39 (Non-members)
Learning Units (LUs): 1.5 Core
Register: Click here