SITE TOUR: Oceanfront Discovery Centre — A Mass Timber Frontier in Oceanfront Squamish

Description

1.50 CPD CREDITS 

Oceanfront Discovery Centre — A Mass Timber Frontier in Oceanfront Squamish

Join the HAVAN Supplier Council, Women’s Council and Education & Training Committee for an exclusive

industry event showcasing Oceanfront Discovery Centre—the first dedicated office building in the

visionary Oceanfront Squamish community. This in-person event combines a guided building tour, expert

panel discussion, and high-value networking opportunities tailored to architects, general constructors, and

developers at the forefront of sustainable design and construction.

What You’ll Experience - AGENDA

11:00AM - 12:00PM: Exclusive Guided Tour of Oceanfront Discovery Centre

Guided walk through Oceanfront Discovery Centre, a three-storey mass timber office building in the

Oceanfront Squamish community. See firsthand how exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT),

foundational concrete, steel framing and zinc cladding are integrated to deliver a high-performance,

modern commercial building.

Unencapsulated Mass Timber in Practice

Learn how unencapsulated mass timber is used as both a structural and architectural feature,

supporting sustainability goals, biophilic design principles, and occupant well-being—while meeting

commercial performance requirements.

12:00PM - 1:00PM: BREAK FOR NETWORKING AND REFRESHMENTS

1:00PM - 2:00PM: High-Performance Mass Timber Panel

Hear from industry leaders as they share practical insights on designing and delivering high

performance buildings. Topics include structural systems, ideal mass timber project types, fire and

code considerations, blending concrete with mass timber, energy performance, constructability,

ecological considerations and lessons learned from real projects.

Connect with Industry Peers

Network with architects, general contractors, developers, and suppliers who are shaping the future

of mass timber and sustainable concrete construction in British Columbia.

SPEAKERS:

Joe Geluch, President, Naikoon Contracting Ltd.

TBD, ConcreteBC

TBD, ConcreteBC

Ayme Sharma, Associate Principal, ZGF Architects Inc.

Adjunct Professor, UBC

Ayme leads ZGF Vancouver’s Building and Project Performance Team, drawing on 20 years of professional experience in architecture centered on building performance and environmental stewardship. Ayme guides the integration of sustainable practices throughout project lifecycles, ensuring alignment with climate-responsive and performance-driven goals for multiple project types including healthcare, residential, commercial and institutional. Trained as both an ecologist and an architect, Ayme brings deep expertise in embodied carbon, healthy materials, high-performance envelope design including Passive House and LEED certification. Ayme collaborates with industry leaders to advance thought leadership in sustainable building with an approach that is centered around curiosity, ideation, collaboration, and innovation.

Carlos Zavarce, RPP, MCIP

Director of Development, Matthews West

Carlos joined Matthews in 2016 and is based in Squamish, where he leads the Matthews West team in master planning, development applications, government and stakeholder relations, consultant coordination, and project marketing. His primary focus has been the advancement of two transformative regional projects — Oceanfront Squamish and the Cheekeye Fan Development. Carlos takes a holistic and forward-looking approach to planning and design, balancing the realities of development with the ambition to create interesting, innovative built environments. Both projects emphasize the creation of community through thoughtful, purposeful design, resulting in neighbourhoods that feel intentional, integrated, and deeply livable. Carlos holds Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Geography and Education, as well as a Master of Resource Management (Planning) from Simon Fraser University. He is a Registered Professional Planner with the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of British Columbia. In addition to his role at Matthews, he serves on the District of Squamish’s Advisory Design Panel and the Squamish Housing Development Advisory Group. Prior to joining Matthews, Carlos worked with BHA Consulting in Whistler, contributing to several master-planned ski resort developments internationally.