The Wood Innovation Research Lab (WIRL) is a new state-of-the-art UNBC wood science and engineering research facility in downtown Prince George.
The WIRL provides students, faculty members and researchers from UNBC’s Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program with the ability to build and test large-scale integrated wood structures using engineered wood products such as Cross-Laminated Timber, Glued Laminated Timber and Laminated Veneer Lumber. The over-height, single-storey structure features a high-head lab for tall projects and a portion of the building consists of a strong floor and wall to support testing equipment and a crane.
The building is designed to meet Passive House standards, which includes stringent energy efficiency requirements. Certified Passive House buildings use up to 90 per cent less energy for heating and cooling when compared with standard buildings and use up to 70 per cent less energy overall.
The $4.5 million building is a joint federal-provincial investment, with the Government of Canada contributing $1.88 million and the Government of British Columbia contributing $2.62 million. The City of Prince George is providing land for the lab.
The WIRL complements the nearby Wood Innovation and Design Centre by providing dedicated research space, which enables researchers to discover new, sustainable ways to integrate wood into building design and construction.
2022 Building Fire updates
There was an explosion and fire in downtown Prince George on the morning of Aug. 22, 2023 at a building next to UNBC’s Wood Innovation and Research Lab (WIRL). The lab’s west wall caught fire, the building was impacted by the explosion, and a significant amount of water was released inside the building from the sprinkler system. Fortunately, no UNBC personnel or students were on site and UNBC community members are safe. Some bystanders suffered serious injuries; the UNBC community sends positive thoughts to those who have been impacted. We also thank the emergency personnel who responded quickly and limited the damage to WIRL.
Feb. 15, 2024 - Building repairs are nearing completion. The siding is expected to be completed by the end of February. The Adiabatic Fluid Cooler will be installed in March. The building remains closed for regular operations, but interior repairs are almost complete. We anticipate normal occupancy of the building by the end of March.
Contact
Wood Innovation Research Laboratory
1153 4th Ave
Prince George, British Columbia
V2L 3J2 Canada
250-960-5241
meng@unbc.ca
WIRL Stories
The puck does not stop here
From being presented with the problem to designing and building their devices, secondary school students from across the region spent months preparing to launch their innovative ideas into action for the School of Engineering's first High School Design Competition.
Li receives renewed funding for oil spill response research
Dr. Jianbing Li received additional funding through the federal government's Multi-Partner Research Initiative to continue his research into identifying new ways to provide in-situ oil spill response.
