We mark Earth Week with a list of five material innovations helping us build a more sustainable future.
1. Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS)
The Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS) is a patented construction technology that integrates sustainably harvested timber with steel and concrete in prefabricated floors that are more sustainable than traditional options. The system significantly reduces the overall carbon footprint of construction projects and enables fast on-site assembly.
The floor system replaces conventional steel and concrete options to create large floor plates for non-residential buildings such as office towers, institutional buildings, and mixed-use developments. By replacing these high-embodied-carbon materials with timber—which naturally stores carbon—the HTFS can significantly reduce the floor system’s embodied carbon and environmental impact.
DIALOG, in collaboration with EllisDon, has manufactured the first full-scale HTFS panel, which is currently undergoing prototype testing. This innovation represents a significant advancement in sustainable materials and building practices—a continued step toward a greener, low-carbon future.
Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS)
2. Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) marks a significant advancement in sustainable construction. UHPC is strong, resists water, reduces heat loss, and is a cost-effective option that can speed up construction. By incorporating carbon nanofibers, the material’s structural performance is enhanced, allowing for the design of thinner, lighter, and more durable structures capable of withstanding extreme climates.
In projects like pedestrian bridges and contemporary facades, UHPC’s strength and low weight leads to faster construction. With ongoing advancements, it paves the way for more creative and high-standard design.
What has DIALOG done with UHPC? One example is Calgary’s Glenmore Trail Pedestrian Overpass at Legsby Road, the first bridge in Alberta to be constructed with UHPC, and one of the first in Canada. Ultra-high performance concrete was used to construct the thin arch that spans more than 50m across Glenmore Trail.
Glenmore Trail Pedestrian Overpass at Legsby Road, Calgary, AB
3. Bio-based materials and bio-regional design
Bio-based materials and bio-regional design are the practice of using materials derived from biological origin, and designing for specific geographic regions with local materials. The approach prioritizes sustainability and resilience based on factors like the local geology, vegetation, and traditional craft.
We believe that materials matter—and pushing for healthier, lower carbon building systems means choosing sustainable materials that grow in the bio-region. Examples include forested parts of Canada using timber construction, grasslands using rammed earth construction, and urbanized areas prioritizing recycling building materials and re-using existing structures.
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, designed by DIALOG, sits in Canada’s only desert and features rammed earth construction. It’s a beautiful example of bio–regional design principles, expressing the colour and texture of the desert landscape.
Last year, DIALOG’s annual research and travel grant, the Iris Prize, went into the research of bio-regional design.
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos, BC
4. Low-carbon steel and concrete specifications
In 2021, DIALOG joined the SE 2050 Commitment Program, aiming to achieve net-zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. To meet this goal, we have updated our construction specifications for concrete, steel, and wood. These new specifications limit embodied carbon and promote available low-carbon material alternatives. This can influence the choice of materials early in the design process and can also prompt suppliers or manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices.
As a member of the mindful MATERIALS Forums, DIALOG is also contributing to the development of the Common Materials Framework (CMF), which aims to standardize sustainability criteria across the building sector.
We’re putting these principles into action on projects like the University of Calgary’s Veterinary Learning Commons. By choosing low-carbon concrete and collaborating with suppliers, we’re reducing the embodied carbon of one of the most carbon-intensive materials. The project began in December 2023 and is aiming for LEED Gold certification, supporting the University’s sustainability goals.
Veterinary Learning Commons, University of Calgary
5. Mass timber
Mass timber is a structural building material made from wood pieced together to form larger structural elements such as floor panels, columns, or beams. The use of mass timber has many benefits, including its low embodied carbon.
DIALOG’s latest mass timber project, called Silva, is a prototype with mass timber selected as the structural system for the building. The mixed-use prototype’s structure and building envelope has 60% less embodied carbon than a comparable concrete building.
The timber will be exposed where possible in the design, enhancing the biophilic aspect while also reducing unnecessary additional finishes.
Silva, a mixed-use, mass timber prototype