In one of the fastest growing cities in North America, the idea of building homes in under-utilized downtown alleys is rapidly gaining ground. Toronto has an estimated 2,400 public laneways that could be converted into homes just a stone’s throw away from where people work or study. With this in mind, the University of Toronto saw the opportunity for a pilot project to animate a quiet alley near Robarts Library.

Three homes have been designed to be net-zero energy and net-zero carbon, using ‘Passive House’ principles and using super-insulated, prefabricated wall panels, triple-glazed windows and foundation insulation systems with on-site renewable energy generation. They each have brightly lit interiors, open-concept kitchen-living rooms, bike storage and a shared backyard.