3-over-3 Feasibility Study

A unique option for increasing the supply of affordable housing in BC.

BC Non-Profit Housing Association, supported by a team of expert consultants, led the 3-over-3 Mass Timber Residential Infill Construction Feasibility Study to explore a unique option for creating more affordable housing units in BC. The objective of the study is to assess whether mass timber can be used to add three additional storeys over an existing three-storey non-profit housing building, without displacing the tenants or removing the existing structures. Feasibility studies for three case study sites in Vancouver explored the possible structures, the code implications, and estimated costs to determine if any of the proposed structures should be considered for further investigations.

This study was funded by the Province of BC’s Office of Mass Timber Implementation, Forestry Innovation Investment Limited, and BC Housing.

To find out more about opportunities and challenges with this approach to construction, please read our summary report synthesizing key findings across the three case study sites, as well as the preliminary feasibility studies.

 

Case Studies

Building 5

Architectural drawings

Code report

Class D cost report

Structural report

Architectural report

Chelsea Manor

Architectural drawings

Code report

Class D cost report

Structural report

Architectural report

Chimo Terrace

Architectural drawings

Code report

Class D cost report

Structural report

Architectural report