Overview
Tresah West is a 12-storey mixed-use residential building located in Victoria, British Columbia. It was originally planned as a mass timber structure but later transitioned to a non-combustible hybrid system using lightweight steel studs and concrete. The shift was made to better meet long-term goals around fire safety, durability, cost-efficiency, and future value.
LBS partnered with the project team to redesign the structure using our proprietary steel stud system, combining off-site prefabrication benefits with innovative engineering to deliver on performance, schedule, and client vision.
Challenge 1: Transitioning from Mass Timber to Steel Studs
Switching from timber to steel studs was more than a material change. It required a complete rethinking of the structural approach. In a 12-storey building, mass timber can actually result in greater structural weight compared to a lightweight steel stud system.
Our team re-engineered the building to reduce overall weight while maintaining strength, safety, and performance. This redesign allowed us to meet engineering requirements, stay within budget, and preserve the building’s architectural intent.
Challenge 2: Engineering a Signature 2-Storey Balcony
One of Tresah West’s most eye-catching features is a two-storey balcony — a bold architectural element with no standard structural precedent. Unlike typical balconies, which are supported at a single floor, this design spans across two levels, creating complex challenges in load transfer, anchoring, and wind resistance.
We worked closely with the architect through iterative design sessions and custom structural modeling, ensuring the final solution was both visually striking and structurally sound. This collaboration balanced form and function, bringing the client’s vision to life while meeting all safety and code requirements.
Challenge 3: Supporting a 12-Storey Building with a Hybrid Steel System
While steel studs are typically used for mid-rise buildings, scaling them to 12 storeys required a smart hybrid approach. LBS introduced two key structural reinforcements:
- Steel Transfer Beam at Level 2: A large steel beam was installed to “catch” and transfer the vertical loads from the upper floors into the concrete columns in the parkade below. This allowed us to align different structural systems without sacrificing strength.
- Concrete Support at Level 7: Additional concrete elements were added mid-building to reinforce key areas, helping to redistribute weight and improve structural stability at higher elevations.
These enhancements allowed us to maintain the system’s lightweight and non-combustible benefits, while also meeting the performance demands of a high-rise structure.
The LBS Advantage in Action
Tresah West is a prime example of what’s possible when architectural ambition meets engineering flexibility. By transitioning from timber to steel, solving complex load challenges, and pushing the boundaries of steel stud construction, LBS helped deliver a building that is bold, efficient, and built for long-term value.
No matter how complex the design or the idea, we believe that with the right team and technical creativity, any vision can be built.
