Harmony Commons 

When compared to similar dormitories on the UTSC campus, Harmony Commons consumes 70% less energy and contributes 90% less greenhouse gas emissions per person in peak conditions. Energy consumption is reduced thanks to a high-performance envelope, low-energy systems, and heat recovery from ventilation exhaust and wastewater. The all-electric systems allow emissions reductions to outperform reductions in energy consumption, taking advantage of Ontario’s increasingly renewable electricity grid. Even with a commercial kitchen serving 3,000+ meals per day, Harmony Commons has zero on-site fossil fuel combustion.

The fractured nature and coloration of the building’s cladding is inspired by The Scarborough Bluffs, rock cliffs bordering nearby Lake Ontario. This approach is designed to reduce the building’s verticality and create an informal, domestic feel.

Taking advantage of the natural surroundings, the building has been sited and shaped so that as many occupied spaces as possible feel a connection to the outside. A preserved, historic grove of trees to the north becomes a focal point for many of the units, common rooms, and the large dining hall at ground level.

• Integrated dining hall (compulsory meal plans)
• A common lounge and study space on each floor 
• Outdoor roof garden and terrace 
• Community kitchen 
• Laundry facilities 
• Accessible housing is available
• Wireless internet 
• Indoor bicycle storage 
• All rooms include a bed, desk, chair, built in wardrobe, lockable storage, and mini fridge 
• In keeping with the green design the site has no vehicular parking, but does include 100 bicycle parking spaces

Harmony Commons is the largest Passive House certified dormitory in the world. Opening its doors  in August of 2023, post-occupancy data shows that the modeled energy savings are being realized. This 9-storey all-electric building includes 746 beds and a commercial kitchen turning out 3000+ meals per day.

The building consumes 70% less energy and produces 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions per person than comparable dormitories, thanks to a high-performance envelope, heat recovery systems, and all-electric operations powered by Ontario’s renewable energy grid.

Harmony Commons demonstrates how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into large-scale architecture without compromising functionality or aesthetics, even in a cold, northern climate. The use of durable, locally inspired materials minimizes environmental impact during construction, and the all-electric design ensures that operations align with Ontario’s shift toward renewable energy. These measures make the building a model for how universities can lead in addressing climate challenges through thoughtful, high-impact design.

“This cutting-edge building underscores the University’s commitment to sustainable, eco-efficient and healthy living, and will allow UTSC’s physical environment to match the quality of its world class education and flagship experience.” – Dr. Rose M Patten, Chancellor, U of T

Environmental

The student residence features a Greyter Water Systems solution that treats and processes rainwater so that it can be used for the residence’s lavatory systems. The building is LEED Silver certified, and boasts breathtaking views of downtown Toronto’s city skyline.

• Heat Recovery Ventilation
  • Goal: Ensure fresh air without letting heat escape.
  • Strategy: Install a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system to supply constant fresh air, recovering heat from the exhaust air to warm incoming fresh air.
• Optimizing Solar Gain
  • Goal: Utilize the sun’s energy for natural heating.
  • Strategy: Orient the building and windows to capture maximum sunlight during the winter months while minimizing overheating during the summer through shading or other passive strategies.
• Energy Modeling and Performance Testing
  • Goal: Ensure the design meets Passive House standards.
  • Strategy: Use software tools for energy modeling and perform blower door tests to measure airtightness.
• Sustainable Materials and Practices
  • Goal: Reduce the environmental impact of the building materials and construction process.
  • Strategy: Choose low-impact, sustainable materials that have minimal environmental footprints. Employ construction practices that reduce waste and promote sustainability.
• Super-Insulation
  • Goal: Minimize heat loss through the building envelope.
  • Strategy: Use high-performance insulation materials in walls, roofs, and floors. The insulation levels often far exceed standard building codes.
• Airtight Construction
  • Goal: Prevent uncontrolled air leakage.
  • Strategy: Implement meticulous airtightness measures to eliminate drafts and ensure that the heat recovery ventilation system operates efficiently.

• Thermal Bridge-Free Construction
  • Goal: Avoid thermal bridges that can cause heat loss.
  • Strategy: High-performance building envelope that is tightly sealed, robustly insulated and contains no metal to metal conditions (to prevent thermal bridges).
• High-Performance Windows and Doors
  • Goal: Maximize solar gain and minimize heat loss.
  • Strategy: Use triple-glazed windows and insulated frames, carefully positioned to take advantage of solar energy while minimizing energy loss.

Social

Harmony Commons is designed to center the wellness of students, the community, and the environment. The building is designed to offer a variety of uses, with public spaces at the ground level including a servery, dining hall, peer resources, flexible event spaces, and offices.

Dormitory rooms are arranged in clusters or “communities,” each having their own identity. The sculpted nature of the building’s form was driven by this concept of student communities. Each community is afforded private study spaces, gathering spaces and a common kitchen for planned or impromptu interactions fostering collaboration and a sense of belonging.

Governance

“Inclusion is not tangential to what we do. It is a core prerequisite for realizing our vision. The genuine embrace of different experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and identities is what will sustain a vibrant intellectual community like ours, where we strive every day to inspire limitless ingenuity, address the pressing issues of our day and generate solutions that are boundless in their impact.” – Wisdom J. Tettey – Vice-President & Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough

Harmony Commons is home to first year undergraduate students. This cutting-edge facility offers a unique combination of comfort, sustainability, and community, setting a new standard for student housing. With beautiful rooms, modern amenities, and a vibrant community of students, this residence is a place to call home while students pursue their academic goals.

• 746 Students
• UTSC’s office of Student Housing & Residence Life

Partners

• Developers: Fengate Asset Management
• Architects: Handel Architects and Core Architects
• Interior Designers: Partisan
• Construction: Pomerleau
• Leasing: University of Toronto, Student Life – Housing

Press

Harmony Commons Student Residence becomes the largest Passive House certified building in Canada

Harmony Commons at the University of Toronto Scarborough

UTSC Passive House Student Residence (Harmony Commons)

Harmony Commons (First Year Residence)

Awards

• 2025 Green GOOD DESIGN Award – The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
• 2024 Bronze Award, Best Development & Design: Student Housing – Multi-Housing
• 2024 Award of Merit – SARA National Design Awards
• Outstanding Design – American School & University Architectural Portfolio