TORONTO, ON
University of Toronto Physical Geography Building
The University of Toronto sought to determine the feasibility of net-zero energy retrofits to heritage buildings campus-wide to meet their greenhouse gas reduction objectives.
The Physical Geography Building at 45 St. George Street was the pilot project for this initiative.
The three-storey, 92-year-old building is currently used as classroom, office, and lab space.
Our team was responsible for coordinating team efforts, including aligning all members to the project goals and ensuring that high quality, consistent deliverables were provided.
Entuitive acted as both Prime Consultant and Building Envelope Consultant, leading a multidisciplinary team (including mechanical/electrical engineers, energy modellers, and a whole building air leakage testing contractor) to determine if meeting net-zero energy use through building system retrofits was feasible.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
CLIENT
University of Toronto
ARCHITECT
The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative Inc.
OUR ROLE(S)
Prime Consultant;
Building Envelope Consultant
SIZE
1,950 m² (21,000 ft²)
BUDGET
-
MARKET (OFFICE)
TORONTO
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Challenge One
Conducting site work while the building was occupied and operational.
Solution One
Site work was carefully coordinated with the university to avoid disturbing building occupants while assessing the building envelope condition and quantifying/locating air leakage. Air leakage testing and infrared thermography were completed during hours when the building was unoccupied, and our visual site review was conducted quietly and in a manner that respected the building’s academic environment.