Can Prefab Mass Timber Solve The Housing Crisis?
Aug 24
4 min read
Across Canada, cities are growing faster than new homes can be built, and the shortage keeps worsening. To help close this gap, Perkins&Will has developed a solution that functions as a system rather than a single building, using wood instead of concrete or steel.
Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
The global design firm has released new research on a scalable, prefabricated mass timber housing model. These homes are built off-site and assembled quickly where they are needed. The goal is to address both the housing shortage and climate change, hinting that the solution could have been in Canada's forests all along.
Some designers think prefabricated homes have to be plain and identical, but Perkins&Will wants to show that's not true. Their system uses a clear structural grid and a simple set of prefabricated parts, giving architects a flexible framework instead of a fixed template.
This flexible framework offers many possibilities. The same structure can be used for different types of homes, to meet changing market needs, and for a variety of exterior designs, all without changing the building process each time. Perkins&Will developed this approach with help from industry and academic partners such as ASPECT Structural Engineers, Introba, and Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts & Technology.
The result is a model built for adaptability. The study ensured the system could support units that change as people's lives do, from starter apartments to family homes, without altering the main structure. Livability was always a top priority.
Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
Mass timber makes sense for this approach for several reasons. Timber is widely available across Canada, and it can be prefabricated with a level of speed and precision that is difficult to achieve on site. There is also an environmental benefit. Using more timber and less concrete, steel, and gypsum can help lower the overall carbon footprint of construction.
There is also a more personal reason for using timber, and it is harder to quantify. Exposed wood adds warmth and texture to interiors that can be missing from more conventional construction. It also fosters a closer connection to nature, a core principle of biophilic design. Large openings, natural light, and fresh air enhance that feeling, making the homes feel more comfortable and lived-in.
“We need to leverage every opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment. While the industry in general may evolve slowly, we see it as our responsibility to drive change with impactful design solutions that are resilient and low carbon.” - Kathy Wardle, regional director of regenerative design.
Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
One of the best things about this research is its careful approach. Rather than proposing something untested, the study checks the system against strict rules, manufacturing standards, and livability requirements already used in the industry. Every building service and detail was tested to make sure it works in real life, not just on paper.
This kind of testing is important because housing is also a question of trust. Cities, funders, and the people working on these projects need to know that a new construction method will actually work in practice and will not create new problems. The goal is not to change the rules to build faster. It is about finding a way to work within those rules while making construction more efficient and allowing more homes to be built.
The research was funded by DIGITAL, Canada's partner for digital technology commercialization, through its Housing Growth Innovation program. This support shows that Canada's innovation leaders view this as a real solution, not just a design idea.
Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
Perkins&Will has created more than just a building—they have made a blueprint for change across the industry. In this model, speed, sustainability, and livability all work together. It encourages Canada to see its forests not only as scenery but as the foundation for its cities.
“We face a housing crisis across Canada, and the impact of a rapidly changing climate is real. These are issues that demand decisive action. At the same time, we have outstanding potential in our industry, and an incredible wealth of natural resources. This study brings all these pieces together and proves that we can do much better. We can start today.” - Derek Newby, regional director of Perkins&Will practices across Canada.
Render: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
Technical sheet
Official project name: Modular Timber Housing
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Project completion date: February 2026 (Phase 1)
Collaborators
Client/Project Sponsor: DIGITAL
Architect/Project Lead: Perkins&Will
Structural Engineer: ASPECT Structural Engineers
Building Services Engineer: Introba
Constructability: Credos Project Management
Computational Systems: SFU School of Interactive Arts & Technology
Renderings: Aesthetica Studio courtesy of Perkins&Will
