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Crafting Connections with Wood: DIALOG’s Katherine Gerson Joins Panel at WoodWorks Summit 2023

October 26, 2023

Join DIALOG’s Katherine Gerson, Associate and architect, as she joins an expert panel in a session titled “First Nations Health Authority Expert Panel: Crafting Connections with Wood” at the Canadian Wood Council’s WoodWorks Summit on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The First Nations Health Authority project is a new five-story administrative office building that is first-of-its-kind founded through the expression of British Columbia First Nations self-determination and self-governance. The building structure and foundation design references Coast Salish cultural and building traditions and the deep connection the Tsleil-Waututh people have with their land and waters. The new office will accommodate approximately 350 staff, bringing teams together from across Metro Vancouver locations to one central location on Tsleil-Waututh Nation land in North Vancouver.

Event Details

Date:                                      Thursday, November 16, 2023
Time:                                     10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT
Location:                               Vancouver Convention Centre

Click HERE to register for the event.

First Nations Health Authority Expert Panel: Crafting Connections with Wood

In this session, the expert panel will begin the discussion by sharing the owner’s context and business rationale for the building project, offering a high-level overview of the planning and development journey and discuss the cultural work and protocols associated with the project. Katherine Gerson will follow with a discussion of the design process from the architect’s perspective, touching on the client relationship, use of wood, design principles, and the evolution of the design over time. The final segment of the session will be presented by the contractors who will share their perspective on several key topics including, the importance of BIM modelling and up-front detailed coordination, moisture protection during construction, and unique challenges that arose and how those were overcome.

Meet the Speakers: 

  • Greg Shea, Vice-President, First Nations Health Authority
  • Katherine Gerson, Associate and architect, DIALOG
  • Scott Comfort, President, Seagate Mass Timber
  • John Hoholuk, Operations Manager, Ventana Construction

About WoodWorks Summit 

This specialized design and construction conference, taking place from November 15 to 16, 2023, is dedicated to showcasing innovative advancements and applications for wood products and building systems in design and construction through mass timber building tours, highly valued educational program and exhibitor showcase, and industry networking opportunities. Leading-edge industry experts will come together to inform and inspire attendees at the WoodWorks Summit with a focus on shaping the future of sustainable construction.