Kelowna International Airport Terminal Building Expansion Project

Mass Timber Innovation

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is undergoing an 8,000-square-metre terminal expansion, showcasing cutting-edge mass timber construction. Designed by the Office of Mcfarlane Biggar architects + designers, the expansion reinterprets the airport’s 1960s modernist aesthetic with a sustainable, future-ready approach. The use of renewable mass timber highlights the natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley while supporting sustainable forestry, greener jobs, and the local economy. This two-storey hybrid structure combines steel and timber, featuring a 4,500-square-metre signature “waffle” roof made of prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glulam girders.

Kalesnikoff is assembling and supplying the pre-fabricated locally sourced CLT and glulam cassette panels, reducing the on-site construction time by approximately 25%. The cassette panels nest between glulam girders that span 20 metres over steel columns, with cantilevers up to five metres. The prefabricated design allows for the seamless integration of lighting, HVAC, sprinklers, and drainage systems within the roof. Mass timber significantly lowers the project’s carbon footprint compared to traditional materials, aligning with YLW’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and net-zero by 2040.

The new structure incorporates several sustainable design elements, including:

• Energy Efficiency: A geo-exchange heating and cooling system, LED lighting, and a high-performance building envelope integrate with the mass timber design.
• Advanced Timber Technology: The project utilizes a digital twin for construction modeling and coordination of the “waffle” roof advancing mass timber techniques for future projects.

The Kelowna Airport Expansion project serves as an industry benchmark, demonstrating how mass timber can enhance architectural design, environmental performance, and construction efficiency. Completion is targeted for 2026.

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Renderings courtesy of office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers
Credit: Matthew Bolt Photography courtesy of Naturally Wood