Wood for a Sustainable Future

By Editorial Staff - 3 November 2025
Hasslacher group has participated in the project

Geothermal systems to heat and cool spaces, ground-source heat pumps and advanced technologies drive the building’s performance, but at its core, it is wood that defines the project. From the structural frame to the furnishings, including tables and desks, wood anchors the design concept, shaping a workplace conceived for environmental responsibility. The goal from the outset was to create a carbon-neutral building and it was certified net zero in May 2025, with the LEED Gold certification process currently underway. Built on these guiding principles, the Ottawa building was designed by the architecture and engineering firm WalterFedy for Enbridge, one of North America’s leading energy companies. The two-story headquarters spans more than 5,000 sq. m in a contemporary and highly innovative building that mirrors Enbridge’s spirit, expressed through workspaces that are functional yet warm, flexible yet efficient, and filled with natural light streaming through full-height glazing on all façades. At the heart of the building lies what is known as the Operations Center, a dynamic hub that houses offices, multifunctional rooms, laboratories and training spaces, along with lounge areas and seating designed for informal meetings and moments of rest.

Sede Enbridge © Brandon Marsh, courtesy Hasslacher group

Reflecting Enbridge’s core principles, the architects selected products from Element5, specialists in engineered wood production and construction. Founded in 2015 as a startup and now part of the Hasslacher group, Element5 designs, produces and installs both cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam structures. For this project, floors and ceilings were built with CLT panels spanning more than 5,100 sq. m in total. Produced at Element5’s FSC-certified facility using timber from controlled, sustainably managed forests, the panels – up to 3.5-m wide – allow for broad design versatility and creative freedom.

The glued laminated timber beams and columns, laterally supported by a steel frame, were made of the renewable raw material wood, a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel. Element5’s glued laminated timber is precision-manufactured using 3D modeling software and CNC technology – a total of 380 cu. m was used in the building.

The result is a structure that embodies Enbridge’s vision and its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.