May 5, 2021 | Campus
U of T laneway, infill homes win 2021 Canadian Green Building Award
(Photo by Lisa Lightbourn)
A University of Toronto pilot project introducing three unique homes to the St. George campus – including two in a laneway near Robarts Library – has received a 2021 Canadian Green Building Award.
“The project arose from a planning study led by the University of Toronto and the Huron Sussex community recommending creative housing that respects the neighbourhood’s green canopy and Victorian character,” says Gloria Cuneo, director, University Family Housing, Ancillary Services.
The University and Baird Sampson Neuert Architects arrived at energy-efficient prototypes through community consultations. The jury applauded their smart use of limited space.
“The municipality, the University of Toronto and the design team are all to be commended for attempting this kind of gentle densification in a heritage district,” the jury wrote.
“The resulting ‘livable lane’ environment and the remarkable achievement of net zero energy and near Passive House performance in such a tight urban context, takes Toronto’s laneway housing to the next level.”
The two laneway houses will be used to accommodate student families through U of T’s University Family Housing department, while the infill house will be occupied by faculty. And, with opportunities for up to 40 similar homes in the neighbourhood, U of T needs to know “what to repeat and what to improve,” says Scott Mabury, vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships.
“We’ll talk with the current residents of these homes as well as with the community, building a knowledge base that will guide our design and construction decisions in the future.”