Nova Scotia’s Membertou First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada Announced Construction Projects That Includes a New Mass Timber Office Building

On Friday (6-28-24), Membertou First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada announced the construction of a 91,875 square foot office building constructed from mass timber at the Seventh Exchange retail district in Nova Scotia.

The new 91,875 square foot office space is being constructed out of mass timber as opposed to traditional concrete and steel. Mass timber is an umbrella category of materials made by binding layers of wood together to create larger, stronger elements like panels and beams. Proponents say it’s faster and easier to work with than concrete and steel, and less carbon intensive. The new five-story building will provide affordable, greener office space for local organizations and businesses in the area.

Working in partnership with Membertou First Nation, over $1.8 million in funding was invested in these two projects through Indigenous Services Canada’s Community Opportunity Readiness Program, which provides project-based funding for a range of activities to support communities’ pursuit of economic opportunities.