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University of Ontario Institute of Technology

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Designing the first new university campus in Ontario in thirty-five years presented the rare opportunity to create an innovative and sustainable academic community on a large and integrated scale.

The heart of the campus is a landscaped commons surrounded by five academic buildings and the University Library. While each building establishes separate identity and access from the perimeter ring road, a connected collegial pedestrian precinct is established around the green campus commons.

Located beneath the commons is a Borehole Thermal Energy Storage System (BTESS) that harvests energy stored in the earth for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. The system comprises 392 closed-loop boreholes that extend 190 metres below the surface of the commons and provide 2,000 tons of energy-efficient sustainable heating and cooling. A comprehensive water management strategy, including rainwater collection and a retention pond, was employed to protect an adjacent watershed.

Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Client: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Completion: November 28th, 2011
LEED: Gold (candidate)

Photography: Steven Evans, Tom Arban

University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology  University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Awards

2008

  • Royal Architectural Institute of Canada / Canadian Institute of Planners / Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, National Urban Design Awards - Medal of Excellence for Community Urban Design

2007

  • Building Magazine, Outside the Box Award - Green Building Design

2006

  • Society for College and University Planning / American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education, SCUP Awards - Honor Award for Excellence in Planning for a New Campus
  • The Brick Industry Association, Brick in Architecture Awards - Bronze

2005

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada - Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture

The Team

  • Donna Dolan
  • Steven Bondar
  • Aaron Costain
  • Leonardo de Melo
  • Vincent Goetz
  • Agnes Kazmierczak
  • Doug Richardson
  • Kristin Speth
  • Michael Waring