Episode 012: Richmond Olympic Oval with Paul Fast, PE

As the founder of Fast + Epp, Paul has emerged a leader in architecturally exposed structures and is recognized for his unconventional use of materials, including hybrids of timber, concrete and steel.  To this note, the Richmond Olympic Oval was constructed for the 2010 Olympic speed skating events.  This structure capitalizes on Fast + Epp’s ability to push the design envelope and create unique and visually pleasing spaces.  This structure includes free spanning timber and steel hybrid arches with intermediate “wave” panels spanning between the arches.  The “wave” panels are constructed with 2×4’s, reclaimed from pine beetle kill material.  This structure has received many accolades including awards in both the timber and steel categories.

Fast + Epp is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, with offices all around world.  Highly involved in the structural engineering community, Paul sits on several university advisory boards and the Structural Engineers Association of British Columbia.  He was the 2021 Gold Medal Recipient from the Institution of Structural Engineers for his contributions to structural engineering community.  He also won the 2022 education award for his mass timber class at the University of Illinois-Urbana.  

Fast + Epp uses forward thinking concepts such as their internal embodied carbon tool to quantify carbon output for projects and they are also able to test their design theories in their full scale Concepts Lab which is located in the first level of their office, allowing them to trail blaze innovation.

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