Third Space Commons: A Carbon-Minimal Design-Build at UBC
Third Space Commons is a design-build project on the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) that was completed in 2023. The project was led by Third Quadrant Design, a group of 60 students from the UBC faculties of Applied Science and the Sauder School of Business. The students designed Third Space based on principles of carbon minimalism, system minimalism, flexibility and adaptability, resilience, and living lab. The model places carbon, not energy, at the forefront. Every aspect of the 2,400 square foot project, from the material components to the building methods, was chosen to decrease and/or capture carbon emissions.
"We wanted to focus on using wood first structurally wherever possible," said Katie Theall, the project's Architectural Lead and Co-captain of the UBC Third Quadrant design team. "Our goal was to use low-embodied carbon products within structural and safety limitations. As a biogenic material, wood was at the forefront of our decision-making processes and at the heart of the building's structural system."
Grey Accoya, an acetylated wood product distributed by UCS Forest Group, was selected for the building's cladding and decking. To produce Accoya, radiata pine lumber undergoes a process known as acetylation. Acetylation is a non-toxic and permanent process that modifies the balance of two naturally occurring molecular groups in wood, causing it to no longer respond to interaction with water. Therefore, Accoya does not rot, warp, splinter, swell, shrink, or provide a food source for wood boring insects. The acetylation technology isn't new but has only been commercially viable and available since around 2007.
"The UBC student team considered other options, but their primary focus on sustainability, design aesthetics and resilience made Accoya the clear choice," said Matt Mumford, Director of Group Specifications for UCS Forest Group. Sourced from sustainable forests, Accoya is a carbon sink that increases biomass. With a low total lifetime carbon cost, Accoya actively contributes to a circular, bio-based economy.
"Radiata pine is a fast-growing softwood, harvestable within 28 years. It is Class 1 Durable and will outperform both exotic hardwoods and all other modified wood products. Accoya really is the industry benchmark when it comes to performance and sustainability," Mumford stated. Certified by the FSC and Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, it is one of only a few building materials in the world to achieve C2C Gold certification. Accoya is certified Platinum for Material Health and has a Declare label awarded by the International Living Future Institute.
The flooring in Third Space Commons was surplus white oak engineered flooring left over from another project. Wherever structurally possible, the team utilized light wood framing. To further minimize the building's carbon footprint, they sought out deconstructed wood and reused materials destined for landfills from other construction sites in Vancouver, including windows, solar panels, appliances, and lumber.
Third Space Commons uses hempcrete, a product that consists of lime and hemp fibers, as thermal insulation. Not only does hempcrete sequester carbon during its growth cycle,
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Frequently asked questions
What is Third Space Commons at UBC?+
Third Space Commons is a 2,400 square foot design-build project on the University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus, completed in 2023. It was designed and built by Third Quadrant Design, a team of 60 students from UBC's faculties of Applied Science and the Sauder School of Business.
What design principles guided the Third Space Commons project?+
The project was designed around principles of carbon minimalism, system minimalism, flexibility and adaptability, resilience, and living lab. The model places carbon, rather than energy, at the forefront of design decisions.
What wood product was used for the cladding and decking of Third Space Commons?+
Grey Accoya, an acetylated wood product distributed by UCS Forest Group, was selected for the building's cladding and decking. It was chosen for its sustainability, design aesthetics, and resilience.
How is Accoya wood made and why is it durable?+
Accoya is produced by acetylating radiata pine lumber, a non-toxic, permanent process that modifies naturally occurring molecular groups so the wood no longer responds to water. As a result, Accoya does not rot, warp, splinter, swell, shrink, or serve as a food source for wood-boring insects.
What sustainability certifications does Accoya hold?+
Accoya is FSC-certified and Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, one of only a few building materials in the world to achieve C2C Gold. It is also certified Platinum for Material Health and carries a Declare label from the International Living Future Institute.
How did the UBC team reduce embodied carbon in Third Space Commons?+
The team prioritized wood-first structural design using low-embodied carbon materials and light wood framing wherever possible. They also used surplus white oak engineered flooring, deconstructed and reused materials from Vancouver construction sites, and hempcrete insulation, which sequesters carbon during its growth cycle.