DIALOG’s Craig Applegath, Partner and Architect, and Dr. Anne Koven, Director, Mass Timber Institute, are hosts of Mass Timber Institute’s podcast Mass Timber Today, where they sit down with guests to examine the intersection between engineering, construction, design, and forestry.

Episode 14 | Jack Keays: Expert Insights on Fire Safety and Building Codes for Mass Timber

In the latest episode of Mass Timber Today, Jack Keays, Principal and Building Code Consultant, Vortex Fire, sat down with Craig to discuss his journey into the mass timber industry and the integral role of mass timber in his practice.

Jack highlights the sustainability and aesthetic appeals of mass timber, as well as the importance of exposing the structure in design. He also addresses the misconceptions around fire safety in mass timber buildings and the need for better education and understanding in the insurance industry. Jack emphasizes the potential of mass timber in affordable housing and the challenges and opportunities in the future of mass timber design and construction.

Listen to the episode:

About Mass Timber Today

Created by the Mass Timber Institute at the University of Toronto’s John H. Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, the Mass Timber Today podcast series explores the opportunities and challenges of sustainable mass timber construction.

One-on-one interviews are conducted by hosts, Craig Applegath and Dr. Anne Koven. Craig Applegath is a Founding Partner at DIALOG; and Anne is the co-founder and Director of the Mass Timber Institute, an Honourary Registered Professional Forester. Craig and Anne sit down with guests to explore their insights about mass timber technology. The podcast aims to be a platform for a conversation amongst foresters, architects, engineers, builders, Indigenous community members, and developers.