Carpenters Local 1669 Training Centre

The leadership and members of the Carpenters’ Union Local 1669 expressed a strong desire for a training center that would celebrate the varied use of wood in contemporary commercial and institutional construction and showcase the talented carpentry workforce in northwestern Ontario. The design brief called for an architectural solution that was evocative of the beautiful landscapes of the region and its wood economy.

The result is a beautiful 15,000-sq. ft. facility that supports leading-edge carpentry training and apprenticeship programs. Wood was selected for its natural appeal, connection to the community, and importance to the carpentry industry. The wood throughout the building lends the facility a natural and inviting quality that softens its industrial character with warm, contemporary design elements. The building’s program includes two 25-seat classrooms and a 3,400-sq. ft. training area that holds a one-of-a kind training structure for “working at heights” scaffolding and lift training. The center also has office space, a large boardroom, and a multi-function lobby/lounge/kitchen area that encourages members to gather.

The building design used several products and construction methods to showcase the various uses of wood in traditional construction.

The training facility uses traditional light wood frame construction, glulam and heavy timber construction, and a combination of wood products for interior and exterior finishes that highlight the materials carpenters work with. One particularly unique application is the solid wood and birch veneer wood screens in the entryway which symbolize stick frame construction, a fundamental part of the carpentry trade. The exterior Western red cedar siding creates warmth and contrast with a durable, long-lasting material.

Perhaps the most dramatic use of wood is the large heavy timber beams and columns throughout the building. The use of these large timbers in the exterior entry canopy makes a particularly powerful architectural statement, adding a sense of connection to nature, establishing a physical link to northern Ontario, and striking a delicate balance between rustic and modern design. This exposed heavy timber structure carries through into the main lobby and around the corner to the angular corridor leading to the various program spaces.