Canada needs a lot of housing—fast. Perkins&Will has published research proposing a scalable prefabricated modular mass timber system to deliver high-quality homes quicker, more sustainably, and in alignment with regulatory and market realities.

Developed in collaboration with industry and academic partners, the modular timber system is based on a rationalized structural grid, a concise kit of prefabricated components, modular planning principles, and fully coordinated building services. Together, these elements streamline design, approvals, manufacturing, and assembly—supporting both housing delivery and Canada’s climate commitments.

“We face a housing crisis across Canada, and the impact of a rapidly changing climate is real. These are issues that demand decisive action,” said Derek Newby, regional director of Perkins&Will practices across Canada. “At the same time, we have outstanding potential in our industry, and an incredible wealth of natural resources. This study brings all these pieces together and proves that we can do much better. We can start today.”