The Harmony Commons student residence at the University of Toronto Scarborough has become the largest building in Canada to receive Passive House Classic certification.
The 24,620-square-metre purpose-built residence stands at nine-storeys with 746 beds. The standard is realized through a combination of highly efficient insulation, airtight construction, and carefully designed windows and ventilation systems. Carbon emissions were reduced to the Passive House standard, while savings in operational costs offset the additional expenses associated with construction.
Fengate Asset Management invested alongside the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) and partnered with the school on the project. The deal involved a debt investment to fund the construction, and an equity take-out to purchase an interest in the project along with a long-term land lease with the university, which continues to own the land and operate the student residence for its students.
“Harmony Commons is more than an infrastructure project—the impact goes beyond our campus,” said Andrew Arifuzzaman, chief administrative officer, University of Toronto Scarborough. “We’ve showed the industry that this type of project can be done in this market and at this scale.”
Joseph Mancinelli, international vice president and regional manager for central and eastern Canada, LiUNA, added that student housing plays a crucial role in bringing individuals from various backgrounds together and preparing them for a globalized world.
Students moved in last September. Some features include an integrated dining hall, common lounge and study space on each floor, outdoor roof garden and terrace, community kitchen, laundry facilities and indoor bicycle storage.
“This achievement is just one of the substantive steps Fengate has taken in putting our commitment towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) into action,” said Jaime McKenna, president, Fengate Real Estate. “By placing an emphasis on energy efficiency and longevity, we pave the way for future generations to thrive in environmentally responsible spaces.”
