Canada’s Wood Products Research Institute The Western laboratory, located in Vancouver on the University of British Columbia endowment lands, is built entirely of wood species indigenous to Western Canada. The architectural design of the cathedral ceiling in the main reception area and branching hallways is patterned after a forest environment. This building was constructed in 1990. Farmer earned The Journal of Commerce Award of Excellence for innovative construction techniques. Our own forces detailed, fabricated and installed the massive parallam trusses seen throughout the building structure.