Hart House Infrastructure Renewal
Hart House is at the heart of the University’s St. George’s campus, serving students and the community. Conceived by Vincent Massey (businessman, Canadian diplomat, Governor General) it is a 1919 Collegiate Gothic three-storey building with an open interior quad. Designed by Sproatt and Rolph, Massey named the building after his grandfather Hart.
EVOQ was mandated by the University to carry out an extensive infrastructure renewal project to allow Hart House to continue to serve its community and meet campus sustainability goals.
The renewal vision focuses on sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. The project includes maintaining operations during construction, future-proofing building systems, replacing inefficient systems, and improving accessibility. The scope includes replacing mechanical systems, upgrading heating and water systems, providing new ventilation and air conditioning, installing a new substation, and improving accessibility. A new elevator and redesigned fitness centre locker rooms and shower areas aim to make the facility fully accessible and inclusive.
Work will be phased to minimize disruption. The first phase includes creating new mechanical and electrical spaces to house new services before disconnecting existing ones. This approach ensures Hart House’s long-term viability, sustainability, and resilience. The project is on-going.
The project goals are to reduce Hart House’s carbon footprint and make the building accessible. The building’s aging infrastructure is being replaced and will be connected to the University’s geothermal system; air conditioning is being added for the first time in the building; and gas fired equipment are being removed. Energy modelling was completed to verify assumptions and track targets set out by the University of Toronto.
