The Ronald McDonald House Ottawa Expansion is a transformative project that nearly doubled the organization’s capacity to support families with children receiving medical care at CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario).
Located just 167 steps from the hospital, this 3-storey, 25,555 sq. ft. mass timber addition more than doubles the number of private family suites from 14 to 36 while introducing new communal spaces such as a second kitchen for families, multiple laundry room, a fitness centre, a teen games room, multiple quiet space, TV room, and a spacious children’s playroom—all designed to provide comfort, connection, and support during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Mass Timber Addition Creates a Warm, Sustainable Environment
Element5 supplied the mass timber for the project, including cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor and roof panels, and Glulam beams and columns. We also provided connection design services, helping optimize the structural integration of the mass timber system throughout the building.
The CLT and Glulam were prefabricated offsite at our St. Thomas facility, and delivered ready for installation, enabling efficient construction while maintaining a high level of quality and precision. In the interior spaces, we find exposed mass timber throughout—providing warmth, natural beauty, and creating a welcoming space designed to support families during challenging times.
Finally, mass timber played an important role in supporting the project’s sustainability objectives. As a renewable, low-carbon building material, CLT and Glulam helped reduce embodied carbon while complementing the facility’s broader carbon-neutral design strategy.
The building has achieved Zero-Carbon Building certification and is on track to be certified for LEED and the Rick Hansen Foundation for accessibility.
Expanding Capacity, Increasing Impact
The mass timber addition addressed a critical community need in the community. During an average year, Ronald McDonald House Ottawa averages 500 family visits, and operates at a 100% capacity. The expanded facility can accommodate 1,300 annual family visits—a huge and much needed increase in support.
By combining mass timber construction with sustainable, family-centred design, the project creates a welcoming, low-carbon home away from home for families when they need it most.
