WoodTALKS Architect-Manufacturer Lunch & Learn Workshop

Concept Lab is located at Fast + Epp’s headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. The space provides design professionals, academia, industry associations, and innovators alike the ability to enliven their design ideas. BC Wood is pleased to host this WoodTALKS lunch & learn workshop at the facilities provided to us by the Fast + Epp Concept Lab.

Title of Learning Activity:

WoodTALKS Architect-Manufacturer Lunch & Learn workshop: Architectural Integration with BC value-added wood products

Now more than ever, architects and BC’s value-added wood product manufacturers are collaborating with local architectural firms to find synergies and efficiencies integrating their products into new projects. BC manufacturers can work with architects and designers to assess the practicality of design elements, offer alternatives when needed, and produce components that stay true to the original design. The efforts of architects and BC manufacturers together are creating a future where architecture has more diverse aesthetic possibilities, and buildings are becoming more sustainable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of society.

First, we will explore Thermally Modified Wood, a local BC solution for sustainable architecture. BC manufacturer, Western Forest Products is introducing thermally modified Hem-Fir, as a building material sourced from responsibly managed forests in British Columbia. This talk will cover the fundamentals, process, and benefits of thermal modification, reasons for specifying thermally modified Hem-Fir, and relevant industry standards and certifications. Combining science and craftmanship, Western is building high-performance, renewable local wood products, advancing a future where forest products strengthen both communities and the planet.

Next, we will explore craftsmanship and architectural integration in custom cabinetry- techniques, colour, and quality. BC Manufacturer, Nickels Cabinets will discuss how shop-level details influence aesthetics, functionality, and integration into architectural design. They will discuss craftmanship in custom cabinetry, including manufacturing techniques, colour matching techniques, artisanal finishing techniques, visual consistency and material specifying for architectural projects.

And, we will explore going local - working with local light designers rather than importing from overseas. Mike Randall Design aims to educate soon to be architects, and remind the more seasoned ones, the importance and benefits of sourcing their lighting locally, not just on small projects but large ones too. It also goes into some helpful pointers on how to simplify the process and then ends up with looking at using custom sculptural lighting as a way of meeting municipalities’ public art mandate.

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the Fundamentals of Thermally Modified Wood: Learn what thermally modified wood is, how the process works, and the specific benefits for architectural applications, including improved stability, durability, and aesthetics.

2. Discover the approach to current thermal modification initiatives, and standards and certifications, enabling architects to make informed decisions about specifying these products in their designs.

3. Understand and analyze manufacturing and finishing techniques that ensure consistency, quality, and visual impact in cabinetry

4. Evaluate wood and colour matching by observing how lighting, wood characteristics, and finishing layers affect visual consistency and material specification in architectural projects

5. Learn how to make the process simple in working with local BC light manufacturers, and the key benefits of ordering lighting made in BC/Canada

6. Discover “Sculptural Lighting” - using Canadian lighting installations as a part of municipalities’ public art mandate

Presenters:

Mike Randall is an award winning light designer and wood-bending specialist based in Victoria, BC. Blending traditional craftsmanship with clean, modern aesthetics, Mike creates sculptural lighting pieces tailored to each client’s space and story. Proudly neurodiverse, his dyslexic, non-linear thinking fuels his innovative approach to form and function. Every piece reflects his passion for thoughtful design, meticulous detail, and sustainable practices. Mike’s work has been featured in national design publications and can be seen at Montauk Sofa (Vancouver & Toronto), Thomas & Birch (Victoria), and Above90 Lighting (Vancouver).

Sepideh Nourian is Product Development Coordinator at Western Forest Products, with six years of experience across multiple roles. She holds expertise in wood science, specializing in the thermal modification of western hemlock, a subject she pioneered during her graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. Sepideh leverages her scientific background to advance product innovation, translating research into practical solutions that enhance the performance, durability, and sustainability of local wood species.

Ara Koh is Market Intelligence Manager at Western Forest Products, leading go-to-market strategy for its thermally modified wood line. With a background in finance and a passion for design, she combines analytical expertise with creative vision to advance material innovation in architectural application. A chartered accountant with nearly a decade of experience in Finance and Sales at Western, Ara now focuses on supporting the architecture and design community with locally sourced, sustainable wood solutions that connect people, place, and purpose.

Monique Santos is the General Manager at Nickels Heirloom, the retail division of Nickels Cabinets, a high-end custom cabinetry manufacturer based in Richmond, BC. With a diploma in Business Management and a background rooted in project coordination, client experience, and operations, Monique brings a hands-on, people-focused approach to every stage of the process. She leads the flow of projects from design through production and installation, working closely with designers, cabinet specialists, manufacturing teams, and trade partners to ensure every detail aligns with the client’s vision. Known for her collaborative leadership and dedication to building strong relationships, Monique guides each project with care and precision — creating spaces that feel personal, thoughtful, and beautifully crafted.

Lais Penafort is part of the Sales and Marketing team at Nickels Cabinets, a high-end custom cabinetry manufacturer based in Richmond, BC. With a background in Architecture and Interior Design, a diploma in Business and Sustainability, and registered with the Brazilian Council of Architecture and Urbanism (CAU-BR), Lais brings a unique blend of design insight and strategic vision. She leads client and professional engagement, manages social media and brand initiatives, and organizes events such as Lunch & Learns, connecting architects, designers, builders, and homeowners with the craftsmanship and excellence behind every Nickels project

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