With significant growth in the past decade, Kelowna International Airport (YWL) unveiled their vision to expand the facility – a multi-year plan that will see improvements and addition to the airport building which comprise of the baggage handling system, plane parking area, departure lounge, check-in area and taxiway, providing more retail, food and beverage options. Moreover, the airside operations will be built to a standard that can accommodate some of the largest aircraft currently in use.

Project Essentials

  • LocationKelowna, BC
  • ClientKelowna International Airport (YWL)
  • ArchitectOMB
  • Size108,177 ft² (10,050 m²)
  • BudgetCAD $60 million

As a part of the expansion project, Fast + Epp developed a new mass timber waffle roof structure that pays homage to the existing concrete waffle slab roof of the original terminal building. The roof consists of a series of prefabricated panels comprised of cross laminated timber (CLT) panels supported on glulam beams. By using these prefabricated mass timber panels, this waffle roof structure will streamline the onsite erection and installation process, dramatically reducing construction time and cost without sacrificing the visual impact of the roof. Moreover, this structure was designed with modularity in mind to accommodate future expansion – the structure can be repeated and expanded to the south as the needs of the airport grow.

The mass timber waffle roof was borne out of the client’s desire to acknowledge and support the local timber industry.  Construction is slated to start in 2023 and by 2045, the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is anticipated to serve 3.5 million passengers annually.