Working with the Canadian Wood Council on the Digital Resource Hub

38 projects delivered, CAD $400K in sales, 56% annual growth, AVE of $2.5M. The Digital Resource Hub has drastically cut search times for wood-building professionals. What used to be a 4.7-minute hunt for certified online calculators now takes architects, engineers, and public authorities less than 90 seconds.

To see the Hub in action and explore detailed case materials, visit the interactive experience to flip through the story, drill into metrics and more.

For years, finding updated codes, guides, or calculators required navigating through nineteen different websites and multiple social media accounts. This inefficiency wasted time, delayed projects, and resulted in fewer homes constructed each year.

To tackle these challenges, we set out to create a streamlined online platform where all essential technical resources, training modules, and tools are available in one location. In this post, I will share the tangible results of this initiative and how it has transformed workflows in the wood-building sector.

The Challenge of Disorganization

Before the Digital Resource Hub, wood-building professionals often faced a frustrating maze of websites and resources. On average, looking for design codes or technical guides could consume about 4.7 minutes. This lengthy search process created roadblocks in projects, as professionals struggled to find the necessary information to move forward with their designs and construction.

The disorganization was more than just an annoyance; it had real consequences. Projects were delayed, deadlines were missed, and the housing crisis deepened due to these inefficiencies. With every minute lost to searching, skilled professionals couldn’t focus on what truly mattered—building homes for families.

Launching the Digital Resource Hub

To deliver on this promise, the Digital Resource Hub is built on open-source frameworks and hosted on Canadian servers, providing full compliance with PIPEDA regulations.

The Digital Resource Hub was designed to tackle inefficiencies. By offering an open-source platform that consolidates all the essential tools and resources into one easy-to-use interface, the Canadian Wood Council revolutionizes the workflow for wood-building professionals across Canada.

With the introduction of an AI-powered search engine and a well-structured navigation system, users can now swiftly find the information they require, drastically cutting down their search time. In mere moments, they can locate design codes, technical documents, and construction guidelines all in a single location.

The Results: Time Savings

One of the Digital Resource Hub's most impressive outcomes is the time savings observed by users. Thanks to our unified search feature and organized menus, the average time spent searching for design codes has plummeted from 4.7 minutes to under 90 seconds. This significant improvement has led to a cumulative monthly savings of 480 hours across hundreds of users.

The Digital Resource Hub’s AI-driven omnichannel search cut find times by 70%, matching academic findings.

Imagine regaining 480 hours of productive work every month. Instead of wasting time navigating multiple websites, teams can now dedicate their efforts to drafting plans, reviewing specifications, and coordinating on-site tasks. This boost in efficiency has been transformative for wood-building professionals eager to optimize their workflows.

Impact on Design Capacity

The time saved through the Digital Resource Hub directly enhances design capacity. When designers save about eight hours each week, they can take on more projects. Based on estimates for Canada’s 1,000 small and mid-sized wood-building companies, this monthly gain of 480 hours translates into the capacity to design approximately 33,000 additional homes each year. Every new blueprint signifies a foundation laid sooner, walls framed faster, and families moving into their new homes without unnecessary delays.

Each home designed through the Hub helps ease inventory pressures and lowers the average time to occupancy.

These capacity increases go beyond just numbers; they represent real growth opportunities within the wood-building sector. By streamlining access to crucial resources, the Canadian Wood Council is actively confronting the housing shortage many Canadians currently experience.

Embracing Digital Learning

The Digital Resource Hub exemplifies how technology can improve efficiency and organization within the industry. With on-demand training modules now available, users can conveniently access knowledge and development resources. This flexibility enables professionals to stay informed about industry trends and updates without sacrificing time they could be using to manage their current projects.

The DRH Integrated Learning Management System delivered the equivalent of more than 416 full days of instruction in less than six months.

By providing an evolving open-source platform, we foster a culture of ongoing improvement. The Digital Resource Hub is not a fixed solution; it is designed to adapt, ensuring users consistently have access to relevant tools and information.

Final Thoughts

The framework for success is now in place, and the Canadian Wood Council is dedicated to continuously building new modules for the Hub. Adapting to the increasing demand for housing and sustainability in the ever-changing construction landscape is crucial, as the future of the wood-building industry relies on such practical and evolving solutions.

Through innovation and improvement, the Council can help professionals build more homes and significantly ease Canada's housing shortage. Every minute saved through the Digital Resource Hub creates an opportunity for families and communities to thrive.

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Credits

Canadian Wood Council® Digital Resource Hub.

Directed by Martin Richard

Co-directed by Vini Apoena

Created and Produced by Vini Apoena

Executive Produced by MCI Group Canada Inc.

Content Manager – Craig Madaglia

Dev & Tech Ops Engineer – Weslley Fernandes

Developer, Collateral Platforms (Supporting) – Douglas Henrique

Engineer, Dev & Tech Ops (Supporting) – Fernando Cesar,

Financial Assistant – Belinda Young

Financial Controller – Shona Foster

Financial Manager – Adina Tasaka

IT Assistant – James Swerdfeger

IT Director – Raymond Brunet

IT Support – Tim Hubler

Lead Developer – Felipe Ribeiro

Lead UX/UI Specialist – Enzo Miyauti

PR Manager – Sarah Hicks

Project Consultant – Airaj Isaacs

Quality Assurance Auditor – Dharmik Lapani

SEO Analyst – Danil Tkachenko

Supporting Art Director – Fernando Chamer

Supporting Art Director – Laura Camargo

Supporting Art Director – Matheus Lana

Supporting CRM/CRO Senior Specialist – Gus Gonçalves

Supporting Data Analyst – Heena Chauman

Supporting Data Science Specialist – Eugênio Caner

Supporting Strategist – Shakeeb Ahmed

Executive Visual Production – Josh Buxton

Cinematographer, Visual Production Support – Philip LeMoyne