Glulam Installation Complete and Temporary Masts Removed at the PNE Freedom Mobile Arch

October 16, 2025

Following a dynamic start to the year with the completion of the concrete buttresses and the successful installation of the three King Arches over the spring. The past few months have seen some remarkable progress at the site of the PNE Freedom Mobile Arch.  

A major milestone was reached with the installation of the glulam arches over the summer. A total of 180 glue-laminated timber arch segments were lifted into place to form the 60 full segments and the starburst barrel vault pattern. This geometry creates the structure’s iconic expression, an architectural centerpiece defined by dramatic 105-metre-long spans and soaring arcs that reach 25 metres high. The result is a bold mass timber roof that pushes the boundaries of both form and function. 

With the cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking installed on top, and the temporary masts being removed, the full impact of the roof is on display. The arches now span freely, revealing an elegant, open space that touches the ground in just three points. 

Glulam arches at PNE Freedom Mobile Arch

Set to open in summer 2026, the Freedom Mobile Arch will become a new cultural landmark for Vancouver, showcasing the acoustic and biophilic qualities of mass timber, and playing host to up to 10,000 guests as a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival.