CrissCross Timberworks Inc.
Custom Timber Frame
Design + Prefabrication + Installations
We fabricate traditional timber frame structures and wood accents for residential and commercial applications. CrissCross Timberworks builds timber structures using authentic traditional joinery as well as modern timber fasteners. CrissCross Timberworks sources high quality timber materials and uses Free of Heart, dry timbers where possible. CrissCross Timberworks’ founder, Braeden Brennan, acquired the bulk of his timber framing training through German trained timber professionals. CrissCross Timberworks uses top-of-the-line timber framing tools originating from Europe. These specialty tools are used to hand-craft timber frames to ensure precision and accuracy.
Mass Timber
Design + Installations
CrissCross Timberworks’ founder, Braeden Brennan, has been involved in both the design and installation of many mass timber projects, including Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam, Nail Laminated Timber (NLT), and other engineered wood products. Our expertise is in the design and installation of these structures. We have developed good working relationships with mass timber suppliers in both North America and Europe.
Awards
M.O.R.E. Cabin, La Pêche, Quebec
Award: 2021-2022 Wood Design & Building Merit Award
Dezeen Magazine Feature:
Top 9 Heavy Timber Buildings in the world
Project Features
Cottage consisting of a glulam frame and CLT box beam floor structure that is built on a tower which supports the large cantilevered structure.
Role in Project
CrissCross Timberworks owner, Braeden Brennan, created the 3D construction model, 2D manufacturing and assembly drawings, and machine data files for all structural steel and mass timber elements. He was also part of the team that developed strategies for erecting the structure and provided consultation services during the installation. All of this was done while Braeden was formerly employed by Styxworks Inc.
Angle of Repose- Passive House, Hindon Lake, Ontario
Award: 2021-2022 Wood Design & Building Citation Award
Project Features
Single-storey CLT and Glulam cottage with unobstructed cathedral ceilings. The roof surface is warped and has glulam moment frame connections at the apex with a reinforced diaphragm hidden in the roof cavity.
Role in Project
CrissCross Timberworks owner, Braeden Brennan, was a structural engineering consultant as an EIT for the CLT & glulam timber package. Braeden worked closely with the project engineers, Aspect Structural Engineers, to develop the structural design. Braeden also created the 3D construction model, 2D manufacturing and assembly drawings, and machine data files for all structural steel and mass timber elements. He had an instrumental role supporting the team that installed the project. This was all done while Braeden was formerly employed by Styxworks Inc.
Malahat Skywalk, Vancouver Island, BC
Award: 2021-2022 Wood Design & Build Award
Project Features
Lookout tower with 20m bottom diameter, 12 main columns at a 9.5 degree inclined angle to the outside, spiral walkway and viewing platform at 30m above grade. The structural members are primarily glulam with sacrificial 3/4" CLT panels acting as a protective skin around the members. The custom connections are galvanized steel.There is a 500 meter long elevated walkway with 12 spans to access the tower. The walkway is up to 18 meters above ground.
Role in Project
3D model, timber and custom steel shop and assembly drawings by Styxworks Inc.The lead Styxworks designers on this project were Jens Hackethal and Uwe Amplatz. CrissCross Timberworks owner, Braeden Brennan, supported the team leads in providing shop and assembly drawing services while formerly employed by Styxworks Inc.
About
Services and Products
3D Modeling and Design Expertise
CrissCross Timberworks designs structures using leading timber industry specific software. CrissCross Timberworks recognizes the proven excellence of this software. We use it for all of our builds to develop creative and highly detailed designs. The software helps ensure that the structure is constructable and all of the pieces are fabricated to fit together on site. CrissCross Timberworks' founder, Braeden Brennan, has used this software to successfully design several complex award-winning projects. These include projects that were hand cut as well as CNC cut. This software also serves the purpose of showing the client how the structure appears prior to construction.
Engineering
CrissCross Timberworks has relationships with highly reputable professional engineers who work closely with us to develop designs that optimize material use and that are built efficiently. The founder of CrissCross Timberworks is currently an Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) registered in BC.
Fabrication and Installs
Our Story
Braeden Brennan-----Founder and Operator-----E.I.T., M. Eng., Timber Framer
CrissCross Timberworks founder, Braeden Brennan, believes savvy technical know-how matched with diligent hands-on practicality provides clients with outstanding products that are elegant and efficient. This is why he has spent his career honing his hands-on craft and pairing that with his knowledge acquired from his engineering training and design experience.
Braeden’s passion for wood construction began during childhood building homes and furniture alongside his father and grandfather. While in high school and university he spent his summers working in carpentry on Prince Edward Island. At the age of 20, Braeden independently built his first timber frame home, affirming his desire to work in the heavy timber industry. Since then he has been studying and working in the industry.
Braeden formally pursued interests in areas of environment, innovation, and construction through a Bachelor of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering. Upon completion of this degree in 2014, he made the move to the west to work for a timber frame company in Alberta. His roles included 3D CAD modeling, technical drafting, and project management for commercial and residential timber framed projects. Braeden helped direct manufacturing and installations of structures comprised mostly of heavy timber and light-frame prefab elements.
Building upon this practical work, he completed a Masters of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design at the University of Northern British Columbia. The program focused on structural design, modern wood buildings, wood product manufacturing, building physics, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Braeden has in-depth knowledge of the benefits and shortcomings of building with wood. He has learned many strategies for overcoming these shortcomings.While studying full-time for his Master's Degree, Braeden began working part-time for Styxworks Inc. and soon after joined the team full-time as an Engineer in Training as well as installing mass timber buildings.
Over the past decade Braeden has been honing his skills both in designing and building. He has had an instrumental role in the design of several award-winning timber projects across Canada.In 2022, Braeden founded CrissCross Timberworks with his wife, Anna. CrissCross Timberworks is based out of Cranbrook, BC, where they are raising their growing family of three boys. Braeden and Anna strive to use CrissCross Timberworks as a vessel for bringing beauty to their community, to build valuable relationships and to honour Jesus Christ through the business.
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