As urban centers nationwide pursue carbon reduction goals and zero-emission infrastructure, C-TRAN's new campus expansion in Vancouver, Wash., offers a new example of what public service complexes can do to support growing populations and climate-conscious objectives.

According to the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, cities and metropolitan areas account for roughly 70% of greenhouse gas emissions.

So, what makes C-TRAN's expansion so eco-friendly? One word: Timber

Designed by Portland-based architecture and design firm Ankrom Moisan, the C-TRAN operations building is the firm's first completed mass timber project, which uses plywood panels to sequester carbon, reduce energy use during production, enhance durability, and sustain economic growth.

According to Mariah Kiersey, office, retail, and community studio co-leader/sr. principal at Ankrom Moisan, mass timber construction can be an ideal choice for transit environments. Its properties can support operator well-being while improving air quality, reducing noise, and lowering carbon emissions, making it a sustainable and user-friendly alternative to traditional materials.

A Facility Designed for Growth and Green Goals

C-TRAN saw a need to modernize its aging facilities while maximizing the potential of newly acquired land. The expansion, which offers a space for transit operators to lounge in and host training sessions, went through an eight-phase approach to optimize land use and plan for future growth.

The project's construction was tailored to skirt around daily operations, like fleet maintenance, bus circulation, and staff workspace, so the campus remained fully operational while integrating the new facilities.

However, cost and time are two of the most significant variables that can quickly deter a project's progress. Working with their cost estimator, the architecture firm identified that wood was cheaper than steel at the time and could be put up faster.

"This was constructed on an active campus, so the faster it went up, the better," Kiersey said.

They quickly found that C-TRAN's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint aligned with the carbon sequestering properties of mass timber and the acoustic and biophilic properties (more on that later), which is an improvement to the workspace for their operators and administrative staff. Plus, who knew that exposed wood cuts down on long-term maintenance.

Outside of C-TRAN, the new facility directly supports the City of Vancouver's sustainability goals and green-building initiatives by using renewable and low-carbon building materials such as mass timber. Timber helps lower embodied carbon through carbon sequestration, reducing its environmental impact compared to traditional steel or concrete construction.

"Freres Engineered Wood provides locally manufactured mass plywood panels (MPP), which utilize efficient wood fiber use and sustainable forestry practices, further strengthening the regional economy," Kiersey said.

Mass timber also enhances energy efficiency, as its natural insulating properties contribute to better thermal performance and reduced energy consumption.

The Human Benefits of Mass Timber in Transit

According to Kiersey, mass timber construction offers several benefits for transit environments, particularly in spaces designed for bus operators who are the frontline to the public, good and bad.

"Wood has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it an excellent material for operator break areas, where employees need a calming retreat from the high-pressure demands of public interaction," Kiersey said.

Another characteristic is its natural "warmth and texture," which can create a welcoming atmosphere that may positively contrast with urban environments. Plus, the material can provide acoustic benefits by absorbing sound, and it has those aforementioned biophilic qualities, which is a fun way of saying that exposure to natural materials and light can help lower stress and improve mental health.

Kiersey reports that mass timber construction can be seen in the airport entry, operator areas, and administrative areas in regions like the Pacific Northwest.

The wood's strength, sustainability, and aesthetic warmth make it ideal for airports, train stations, bus stop shelters, and bus terminals. In these settings, mass timber is often used for roof structures, canopies, and interior finishes, creating "inviting" and "durable" public spaces while reducing embodied carbon.

"We looked at it for the maintenance building at C-TRAN, but with the location in the center of the campus and at a corner, it was decided to go concrete," Kiersey said.

On the sustainability front, mass timber can negate poor indoor air quality by helping with humidity regulation and can offer a lower carbon footprint just from efficient construction.

"Cities aiming for carbon-neutral transit systems increasingly consider mass timber a key element in their infrastructure upgrades. With C-TRAN switching to electric buses, this aligns with their sustainability goals," Kiersey said.

These factors combine to make timber a strong contender for transit infrastructure, balancing durability, sustainability, and user comfort.

Efficient, Local, and Future-Ready

Overall, mass timber offered an optimal cost, availability, and sustainability balance for C-TRAN compared to traditional materials.

"Recognizing the importance of cost efficiency, C-TRAN leveraged the advantages of prefabricated mass plywood panels (MPP), which enabled faster construction, reduced labor costs, and minimized waste through efficient on-site assembly," Kiersey said.

Used in a way that is strategically placed, mass timber could be used in a maintenance facility, depending on the desired bay sizes for small vehicles. Still, as Kiersey explains, that doesn't work well for articulated buses.

MPP was readily available for what C-TRAN needed, and mass timber is increasingly accessible, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where locally sourced materials reduce reliance on the volatile global market and lower transportation costs. The mass timber's lighter weight translated to foundation cost savings and improved seismic resilience.

"Due to some of the poor soils found at the campus, the lighter-weight wood was an ideal choice," Kiersey said.

A Blueprint for Resilient Public Infrastructure

C-TRAN's investment in mass timber for its campus expansion is not just about sustainability — it's about enhancing its workforce's long-term functionality, efficiency, and well-being.

"This project demonstrates how innovative materials and thoughtful design can support transit agencies in achieving their operational, environmental, and employee wellness goals," Kiersey said.

C-TRAN's use of mass timber reflects a forward-thinking approach to sustainable transit infrastructure. By combining environmental responsibility, regional collaboration, and thoughtful design that benefits employees and the community, C-TRAN sets an example for other agencies.