Quantum Institute

Sherbrooke, QC

The Quantum Institute at Université de Sherbrooke is a pioneering example of architectural and technological innovation. The three-story building’s primary structure features mass timber—cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam—chosen for its environmental and structural advantages. The wood construction significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, cutting 183 tons of CO2, while also sequestering carbon, contributing to a positive carbon balance. The top two floors, housing advanced research labs, rest on a concrete podium, ensuring the structural stability needed for precision experiments. Innovative techniques, such as Peikko DeltaBeams and glued-in rods within the CLT, enhance load-bearing capacity, making this project the first in North America to integrate these methods. The wood structure allows for flexibility and a distinctive aesthetic, embodying sustainability while symbolizing the boundless potential of quantum science.

Version History
  • Project uploaded by Canadian Wood Council on 10-08-2024
  • Project last updated by Canadian Wood Council on 11-22-2024
Project Details
  • Year Built

    2022

  • Number Of Stories

    3

  • Bldg system

    Mass Timber

  • Sq. Meters

    1,049

  • Building Type:

    Educational

  • Material Types:

    Mass Timber
    Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
    Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT or glulam)

Project Team
  • Gilles Saucier Architect/Firm
  • Latéral Structural Engineer
  • Raphaël Thibodeau, photographe Photographer
  • Université de Sherbrooke Owner/Developer
Version History
  • Project uploaded by Canadian Wood Council on 10-08-2024
  • Project last updated by Canadian Wood Council on 11-22-2024
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